A $270,000 grant from the Wal-Mart foundation will provide an AFCA/FBI National Child ID kit to all kindergarten and first grade students throughout the state through their schools this fall. The Child ID Kit is the only FBI approved DNA/fingerprinting kit of its kind and provides parents with a non-intrusive means of collecting their child's identifiable information (including fingerprints, DNA, physical characteristics and picture) that can be recorded and stored at home. In the event of an emergency, the Child ID Kit can be provided by the parent to give law enforcement vital information and to assist their efforts to locate a missing child.

"A child identification kit is an invaluable tool for law enforcement when it comes to safely recovering missing children," stated Col. Peter C. Munoz, director of the Michigan State Police. "I hope our schools take advantage of this opportunity to provide parents with what could be a lifesaving tool."

State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Mike Flanagan, reiterated the desires of Munoz to see the kits put to good use.

"I encourage every local school to impress upon their students' families the importance of using these kits," Flanagan said. "You never want the worst to happen, but you'd hate it even more if parents could've made a difference and they didn't."

Kenny Hansmire, Executive Director of the AFCA/FBI National Child ID Program, stressed that these ID kits are made available for free to the parents thanks to the invaluable partnership of multiple organizations throughout the state of Michigan.

"The Wal-Mart Foundation and all of our Michigan partners have really stepped up to protect the kindergarten and first grade students in the state. We are very grateful for all of our partners and their efforts to protect children in Michigan as well as across the country. We extend our appreciation to each person involved in making this effort a success," said Hansmire.

Partners of the Michigan initiative also spoke about the impact that their contributions are making among youth in the state.

"At Walmart, not only are we committed to serving our customers with everyday low prices, we are also committed to serving our communities as well. That is why on behalf of the Walmart Foundation, I am honored to make this contribution of $270,000 that will provide for 290,000 Michigan Child ID kits," said Lindsay Huddleston, Michigan Senior Manager for Public Affairs and Government Relations.

"As a member of the board for the American Football Coaches Association, I am proud to have been a part of helping to bring the Child ID Program to the state of Michigan." Rodriguez said. "I am appreciative of Walmart and all the sponsors who's efforts helped to ensure that the parents in our state have the necessary tools to protect their children."

Thanks to the Wal-Mart Foundation's State Giving Programs, more than 1 million Child ID Kits will be distributed across the country this fall. Indiana, South Carolina, Ohio, and Florida join Michigan in this effort to protect our nation's children.

CONTACTS:

Bret Phillips
AFCA/FBI
Child ID Program
Phone: (972) 934-2211

Lindsay Huddleston
Wal-Mart
Phone: (517) 703-6624

Sgt. Joshua Lator
Michigan State Police
Phone: (517) 322-5595