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M.A.P.'s
Community Service Programs have reached out to over 110,000
Michigan children. "Children fingerprinted by M.A.P. free
of charge for child identification purposes will top the 60,000
mark in the upcoming year and that is a milestone we are very proud
of" says Fred Timpner, Executive Director of the Michigan
Association of Police. The "Children Be Aware Program",
now in its 22nd year, is a community service program offered free
of charge to all those who participate.
 Michigan
Association of Police (M.A.P.) conducts free ongoing child safety
programs aimed at helping children protect themselves against dangers
they may encounter. The campaign includes distribution of safety
materials to parents and children covering a variety of topics as
well as the highly successful "child fingerprinting" programs.
The Children
Be Aware project is an important activity where much of the focus
is placed on establishing fingerprint records for young children.
This procedure is designed to help them against the threat of kidnapping.
Response from schools and other community institutions has been
outstanding. All of M.A.P.'s community service programs are offered
free of charge. This is made possible through community support
solicited by a professional fund raising company who works with
the Michigan Association of Police to help insure the continued
success of all of our community service programs.
The following
locations hosted a Child Identification Program during
the months of April 2006 through October 2006:
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Detroit
- MAP's Child ID Program visited elementary schools, preschool
programs, and daycare centers in the area.
St.
Clair Shores - MAP's services provided Child identification
programs to Pre-K Programs and offered supplies to the local
Police Department for a special event.
Walled
Lake - A Pre-K Program in the Walled Lake area welcomed
MAP's services to provide fingerprinting to all of their classes.
Monroe
- MAP's Child ID Program visited several area Elementary/Pre
Schools to fingerprint the students.
Canton
- During this business sponsored event MAP provided free Fingerprinting
services to the public as (Hospice) used this opportunity
to educate the public on their services.
Paw
Paw - MAP's Child ID Program visited several Pre K classes
as well as a local daycare.
Royal
Oak - Business sponsored event - Co-op Services Credit
Union
Clinton
Township - This event was hosted/sponsored by the Clinton
Plaza (as a fundraiser) to help raise funds for the Leukemia
& Lymphoma Society. MAP's participation included providing
free fingerprinting to those requesting our services.
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Greenville
- This Child Safety Day was sponsored by Three Seasons Campground
and offered many wonderful opportunities to the children such
as: MAP's free Child ID Program, free bike helmets, and the
local Fire Department's Smoke House Education.
Waterford
- Inflatable Planets drew quite the crowd as they opened their
facilities to the public for an Open House.
South
Lyon/Brighton - Moms 4 Moms Annual Picnic.
Dorr
- 'Back to School Celebration' - This event was hosted by
the Gun Lake Tribe and offered families many wonderful opportunities.
Each child participating in this event received MAP's Child
Identification Program, a new backpack, school supplies, as
well as a Birds of Prey presentation.
Kent
County - 'Grandparents Day Celebration' - Life Guidance
Services Coordinator (Sarah Stephan) requested MAP's services
on this very special Grandparents Day - a special day celebrating
and honoring Grandparents raising Grandchildren.
Walled
Lake - Co-op Services Child ID Day
Midland
- Child ID Program fingerprints local children.
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A
special thank you to Bryan Feldpausch and the staff at Co-op
Services for making our Child ID Program a success!
June
2006 - Drawing hundreds, Co-op Services Credit Union (Southgate
location) added excitement to MAP's Child ID Program by offering
families free Pony rides, free pizza, beverages, snacks, a
bicycle drawing, and many other free activities. Many parents
expressed their thanks to MAP's Program Coordinator (Penny
Cantin) for offering this fine program and a few (parents)
said that the "Child ID Program was the only reason"
they came.
September
2006 - MAP's Child ID Program received a GREAT response
at Co-op Services Credit Union's Walled Lake location. Although
many outdoor activities scheduled (pony rides, petting zoo,
lunch, refreshments, etc.) were canceled due to the rain,
MAP was able to fingerprint over 200 children.
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An
extended THANK YOU!
A
personal thank you to all of the schools and businesses that
assist in making our Child Identification Programs successful.
MAP would like to extend a special thank you to Bryan Feldpausch
and the staff at Co-op Services for their generous hospitality
and unlimited assistance. Thanks to the employees of Co-op
Services, MAP provided fingerprinting services to over 400
children during the Southgate and Walled Lake Child ID Day
events. The parent/guardian response was awesome! In fact,
parents complimented/commented on the program throughout the
day! Some comments are as follows:
"This
program is great."
"Thanks
for a wonderful program!"
"I've
been looking for a program like this."
"Thank the person that organized this program."
A Favorite... "Whoever decided to put this program on
had a wonderful idea."
Parents continue to praise the Child ID Program, seeking out
MAP's services when they hear about us. Additional Parent
comments include:
This is a great idea...
How often do we need our child's fingerprints taken...
This is such a great service...
Will you be in our area again?
Do you have any information I could give to my child's school?
I should have brought my other children...How long will you
be here?
Where do I call to schedule this program for my child's school?
I'm so glad you are offering this service. I've wanted to
get my child printed for some time.
HOW
TO CONTACT US...
The
Michigan Association of Police (MAP) fingerprints children
statewide in an effort to assist parents/guardians in starting
an identification file on their child. There is no charge
for MAP's Child ID Program, this is simply MAP's way of assisting
parents/guardians in starting an identification file on their
child.
Fingerprint
cards (Child ID cards) are for the parents to keep at home,
and the Michigan Association of Police will not have a copy.
MAP staff will suggest parents/guardians keep their child's
fingerprint card in a safe accessible place (where they keep
their important papers) and update the personal data as needed.
MAP
continues to offer the Child Identification program free of
charge to schools, organizations, and businesses. MAP's Child
ID Program is not limited to schools. This statewide program
has visited PTA's, Mom's organizations, local fairs and community
centers, Girl Scout/Brownie Troops, Cub/Boy Scouts, Den Meetings,
summer programs, Church groups as well as a variety of businesses
(restaurants, banks, grocery stores, dollar stores, craft
stores, etc.)
Police
Departments may also request MAP's Child ID Program (departments
may choose to staff their own Child ID Program and use MAP's
supplies or request MAP's assistance with a Child ID Program).
Please
contact MAP's Program Office at 248-304-8800 (Toll Free 800-368-1159)
if you would like additional information or would like to
request a Child ID Program.
Please
note: Although MAP makes every attempt possible to satisfy
Child Id requests, these programs are scheduled on a 'first
come/first serve' basis.
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Safety Tips
for Parents
Learn a few
child safety and abduction prevention tips, simple ways to protect
and educate your children.
- Make sure
your child knows his or her complete name, address and telephone
number with area code. It seems like a lot to remember, but this
is
one of the most important child safety tips.
- Show your
child how to dial 911. Most cities send the police whether or
not a request is made, so let your child know this is for emergencies
only, and not a game.
- Establish
a code word for situations when your child is to be picked up
by someone other than a parent or regular caregiver. Predators
have tricked kids into telling the code word, so remind your child
never to tell anyone.
- Teach your
child that if it feels weird it probably is, and regularly remind
your child that he or she can talk to you about anything.
- Don't lose
sight of your child in public places, especially when very crowded.
- Remind your
child that if he or she is lost to find a store clerk or police
officer and wait with that person until you or the police arrive.
The child shouldn't go with someone who offers to take him or
her to you unless it is a uniformed officer.
- Your child
should know to never approach a car for any reason unless you
have given your permission.
- Don't forget
that child predators look like regular folks, so anyone that you
don't know is a stranger.
- If you must
leave your child at home alone, remind the child to never open
the door for anyone that you have not approved.
- Teach your
child to always walk with someone.
- If your child
is in a dangerous situation, he or she should yell for help ("this
is not my Mom/Dad") and run to a trusted adult. The child
should know to never run into an uninhabited area.
- Don't put
name tags on the outside of your children's clothing, books, book
bags, etc. A child abductor will use this to his/her advantage.
- It is important
for families to talk about child safety. Keep an open dialogue,
and take advantage of the many resources available for keeping
your child safe.
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Child Safety
Seats - Protecting Our Children
As of September
1, 2002, all auto manufacturers are required to provide three anchoring
points of child car seats, one upper and two lower. The child seat
makers likewise are mandated to meet more stringent head protection
requirements, most of which will be accomplished by the inclusion
of any upper tether attachment. This upper tether fastens to a fixed
anchoring point installed in the vehicle by the car manufacturer.
The idea is to limit the "travel" of the upper portion
of the car seat - and thus a child's head - during a collision.
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Of
Interest to Parents...
Is
Your Child Safe? Question & Answer
- Why
have children died in vehicles with air bags? In almost all
cases in which an infant died, the baby was riding in a rear-facing
safety seat in the front passenger seat. The back of the safety
seat was so close to the dashboard that the air bag hit the safety
seat with tremendous force. The force of the air bag caused a
fatal brain injury. Child safety seats are not designed to protect
against this extreme impact.
- When
should a booster seat be used?
If the child is over 40 pounds up to 80 pounds and under four
feet, nine inches tall. Belt-positioning booster seats must be
used with both lap and shoulder belts. Never use a booster seat
with a lap belt only. Make sure the lap belt fits low and tight
to avoid abdominal injuries.
- When
should a child be buckled up in an adult seat belt? If a child
is over 80 pounds and at least four feet, nine inches tall. If
a child can sit with their back straight against the vehicle seat
back cushion, with their knees bent over the vehicle’s seat edge
without slouching,
they can be moved out of the booster seat into the regular back
seat.
- What
is the law regarding children under the age of 4? Effective
March 10, 2000, the law requires children under age 4 to be restrained
in a car seat when riding in either the front or rear seat of
a motor vehicle.
Key
Points
- Always
read the child safety seat instructions.
- Always
refer to your automobile owners manual for proper child safety
seat placement.
- To
ensure a snug fit, test the child seat by pulling the base to
either side or toward the front of the car.
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