The AMBER Advocate
A U.S. Department of Justice Initiative
Upcoming Trainings Open for Registration
Initial Response Strategies and Tactics When Responding to Missing Children Incidents
Perrysburg, OH
In the initial response to endangered missing or child abduction incidents, accurate and timely situational assessments and immediate resource deployment are critical. During this training, first responders will gain knowledge of the investigative activities that occur during an endangered missing or child abduction investigation, and how their actions influence the short- and long-term response of law enforcement. Learn the impact...
911-Telecommunicators and Missing & Abducted Children
Crossville, TN
911 Telecommunicators are the first responders in missing children cases, playing a critical, life-saving role as the link between a missing child and their safe return. This interactive course will equip telecommunicators with the essential skills and resources needed to manage these high-stakes situations. By analyzing real cases, learn to recognize the various types of missing children incidents and how...
Harnessing Digital Evidence to Finding Missing and Abducted Children
Live Webinar, 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM CT
Law enforcement professionals, join us to learn how to leverage digital evidence to locate missing children—whether lost, abducted, or runaway. Participants will learn how to analyze social media activity, mobile data, GPS records, online communications, and other digital traces to uncover leads, identify persons of interest, and accelerate recovery efforts. The course covers basic forensic tools, legal and ethical considerations,...
Child Sex Trafficking Investigations: Strategies to Increase Prosecutions of Traffickers of Missing Children
Bloomsburg, PA
Child sex trafficking (CST) is like no other crime. Victimization may happen hundreds of times and can be difficult to identify due to the victims being missing children coupled with the trafficker’s hold on victims. Dissect the crime of CST, its complex nature, and discover how to investigate this crime fully. Develop trauma-informed approaches to ensure your victim interview does...
Initial Response Strategies and Tactics When Responding to Missing Children Incidents
Virtual, Live Online Instructor Led
In the initial response to endangered missing or child abduction incidents, accurate and timely situational assessments and immediate resource deployment are critical. During this training, first responders will gain knowledge of the investigative activities that occur during an endangered missing or child abduction investigation, and how their actions influence the short- and long-term response of law enforcement. Learn the impact...
A Conversational Approach to Interrogation of Child Abduction Suspects: Focusing on Cases Involving Sexual Assault and Homicide
Live Webinar, 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM CT
Examine a non-confrontational, rapport-based approach to interviewing suspects in cases of stereotypical child abduction, where sexual assault or homicide may be involved. Rather than relying on predetermined themes, investigators will learn how to influence suspects to provide their own justifications or excuses --creating a psychological pathway for the disclosure of detailed information about the crime. The emphasis is on establishing...
Southern Border Initiative: Cross-Border Abductions
Bosque Farms, NM
Child abductions which cross the Mexico-U.S. border, in both directions, are complex crimes which require knowledge of the dynamics of these abductions and an understanding of the cultural and legal aspects. Explore current trends, capabilities of both countries, and investigative steps which are crucial to safely recovering children abducted across the border.
Investigative Strategies for Child Abduction Cases
Dunbar, WV
Understand, recognize, and investigate cases involving missing and abducted children. Determine scope and scale issues and how to manage a missing or abducted child case. Explore crime scene evidence collection and processing, profiling suspects, and legal issues, including search warrants and interrogation related to a missing or abducted child.
Crime Scene Response in Child Abduction Cases (CSR CAC)
Virtual, Live Online Instructor Led
Discover methods and techniques for processing the crime scene of a child abduction. Identify procedures to properly document, collect, and process vital evidence when time is of the essence. Recognize the impact of the environment, proper scene acquisition and etiquette, proper supervision, and courtroom testimony on your case. Develop skill sets which can lead to the recovery of an abducted...
Child Sex Trafficking for First Responders
St. Joseph, MO
Child Sex Trafficking (CST) is a crime that is hidden yet in plain sight. First responders are often the first system members to make contact with a CST victim. A CST victim has been heavily groomed for system contact, is fearful of their trafficker, and often not forthcoming about their exploitive situation. Deconstruct the crime of CST and identify common...
Initial Response Strategies and Tactics When Responding to Missing Children Incidents
Chantilly, VA
In the initial response to endangered missing or child abduction incidents, accurate and timely situational assessments and immediate resource deployment are critical. During this training, first responders will gain knowledge of the investigative activities that occur during an endangered missing or child abduction investigation, and how their actions influence the short- and long-term response of law enforcement. Learn the impact...
Latest AMBER Advocate News
Child protection professionals from the U.S. and its territories—even as far away as American Samoa—traveled to Washington, D.C., to fortify their minds and missions at the 2025 National AMBER Alert...
Minnesota’s first Tribal AMBER Alert underscores the vital role law enforcement partnerships and the public play in helping recover missing children—in this case, a toddler who tragically lost his two...
Five years ago this spring we introduced you to Tennessee law enforcement veteran Shelly Smitherman. We’re checking back in to see how much has changed since then.
The dramatic rescue of a pajama-clad girl from the dark and dangerous piney woods of Louisiana shines a light on cutting-edge drone technology in the search for missing children.
North Carolina AMBER Alert Coordinator Morrissa Ahl-Moyer’s 911 telecommunicator work inspires her to help law enforcement work seamlessly and successfully when a child goes missing.
The newly updated, multimedia guide ‘What About Me? Finding Your Path Forward When Your Brother or Sister Is Missing’ provides sibling survivors’ powerful stories, invaluable advice, and the latest resources...
Nearly 100 members of law enforcement joined in a large-scale CART training exercise “to enhance their knowledge of how to handle cases involving our most vulnerable populations,” said Burlington County...
November 13, 2024, would have been the 20th birthday of Ashlynne Mike — namesake of the Ashlynne Mike AMBER Alert in Indian Country Act of 2018. This touching tribute to...
Featured Resources
Child Abduction Response Team (CART) Program Implementation Guide
A Guide to CART Program Components and Implementation
A CART is a multiagency, often multi-jurisdictional, program trained and equipped to respond in the search for and recovery of an endangered missing or abducted child. CART programs serve as a critically important tool agencies can employ in an endangered missing or abducted child incident to promote a rapid and comprehensive community response.
Child Abduction Response Team (CART) Certification Guide
A Guide for Agencies and CART Programs Pursuing Certification
The Child Abduction Response Team (CART) certification program has been developed to assist local and state jurisdictions in the creation and implementation of CART programs, and grew out of the dedication of CART teams throughout the United States who expressed an interest in pursuing quality assurance processes in endangered missing and abducted child incidents.
What About Me? Finding your path forward when your brother or sister is missing
2nd Edition | 2024
When your brother or sister is missing, it seems like your life will never be the same again. Your thoughts are spinning and you feel like your life is out of control. We designed this publication to share our experiences, provides new insights, and help in coping with your missing sibling.
When Your Child is Missing: A Family Survival Guide
A Guide to Help Families Get the Help Needed
When your child is missing, your mind races through so many questions – what to do, when to do it, and how to do it. It is overwhelming. We understand. We have been there. We designed this publication to help you take each necessary step, contact the right people, and know how to move forward.
AMBER Advocate Magazine
Current Issue
Our Spring 2025 edition focuses on this year’s National AMBER Alert & AMBER Alert in Indian Country Symposium in Washington, D.C. Our feature story gives you a look into the event, where child protection professionals from across the U.S.—even as far away as American Samoa—weighed in on compelling child-recovery cases, emerging trends and technology, capacity-building strategies, new resources, and more. Also learn about Minnesota’s first Tribal AMBER Alert, which led to the safe recovery of a 3-year-old boy. Hear the latest from Tennessee AMBER Alert Coordinator Shelly Smitherman. And get up to speed on child protection headlines from across the U.S., Indian Country, and around the world.
AMBER Alert Best Practices for Public Information Officers (PIOs)
Working Effectively with the Media When a Child is Missing
Best practice recommendations and other important considerations for Public Information Officers in working effectively with the media in endangered missing and abducted child cases
AMBER Alert Best Practices Guide
A Resource for AMBER Alert Programs
Guidelines and important considerations for strengthening and continuously improving AMBER Alert Programs
Field Guide for Law Enforcement Officers
A Resource for Law Enforcement When a Child is Missing
Provides high-level information on law enforcement's investigative response in relation to incidents of endangered missing and abducted children, and the AMBER Alert Process.
What participants are telling us about their training experiences
Voices from Initial Response Strategies and Tactics When Responding to Missing Children Incidents Training Events
"This course and its case studies were really helpful, and made us think outside of the box and use today’s training. I am a 13-year veteran and learned so much. Enjoyed the course and it’s in-depth approach!"
"I feel like I will make both myself and my shift take our missing children calls much more seriously. I feel better about having a good foundation in being prepared for the next case that comes my way."
"The training kept me engaged the whole time! We need to have more of your training in our area so that our EMS and all of our health studies groups can benefit from it."
"Fantastic class. Case examples and instructor knowledge made the course a great learning experience."
"Great training! Really enjoyed the case studies and all the information provided."
"The Family Perspective presentation gave me important perspectives on what we can do better when dealing with families of victims."
"I enjoyed the roundtable discussions for investigative techniques and resources related to missing persons and child abduction cases."

Voices from Unresolved Missing Person Cases in Alaskan Native Villages Training Events
"It was pleasing and gratifying that such intelligent, capable, knowledgeable professionals would step from the field into the classroom to help present vital information to this group of intelligent and passionate folks. It was an engaging and informative couple of days which I am grateful to have been able to participate in."
"The instructors are amazingly respectful and patient and never came across as condescending. Lovely people."
"Great interactive presentations. Engaging instructors with expert knowledge."
"I will be bringing this information to my council. Thank you!"
"I will be educating the community(s) about issues that persist within the community and how we
can work together in finding solutions to problems."

Voices from Search and Canvass Operations in Child Abduction Investigations Training Events
"Excellent training! Well organized, and the instructors were great. Would highly recommend it."
"The training provided me with updated information on this topic that I can incorporate in my regular duties as well as police academy instruction."
"Very informative and one of the best classes I’ve attended."
"The class provided knowledge and foresight in anticipating challenges that may be faced by my agency."

Voices from 2024 AMBER Alert Activation Best Practices Training Events
"Presenters were very knowledgeable and presented training in a way that held the attention of the attendees. All the information was valuable."
"I appreciated learning how to understand the different types of alerts and knowing when to use them for different types of missing child/person calls."
"I have a better sense of how I can then help the field units to better explain to the parent what necessary steps and other information we need to get the correct broadcast out."
"I liked all the class engagement, and how useful the information was, even for my small agency."

Voices from 2024 Child Abduction Response Team (CART) Training Events
"I liked that the CART Training provided real-life accounts that provided details from the beginning to the end as far as background, family, investigation and resolution. It made me understand both sides of the coin better -- family/victim and police."
"I knew nothing about CART and what they did prior to the training. I thought the instructors were excellent and delivered the information in a way I could understand and learn from."
"I have had very little training on child abductions. This course was hands-on, and the speakers were fantastic!"
"This was one of the best training sessions I've been to in 30 years. Very engaging and informative! Speakers were excellent!"
"Engaging and interactive; competent leadership guiding the training and locally functional leadership willing to assist the community."
"Coming into this training I had very little idea about the overall importance of time in a child abduction or missing child. Having taken this course, I feel confident in using the tools that I learned, along with resources given. Thank you!"
" I liked learning about the importance of coordinating with other agencies and how to consider what other resources are needed and how to find them/confirm they are available."
"Every bit of the information will be able to help in investigations and CART operations."

Voices from Telecommunications Best Practices for Missing and Abducted Children Training Events
"The surviving family member presenter spoke to us with raw passion the tragic experiences she had to endure in the murder of her young child... a continual reminder to thoroughly respond and investigate from the onset of the investigation to its conclusion. God bless her and her family."
"Analyzing the 911 calls was very helpful in understanding how the calls come in and are triaged, and showed how important and complex call intake and working with the caller is in setting the foundation for the investigation. I now have best practices that I can apply to more effectively handle these calls."
"I now have a better understanding of what is needed to enter a child into NCIC, what the most important information is for the record, and what is absolutely needed to support an AMBER Alert if one is issued."

Voices from Child Sex Trafficking for First Responders Training Events
"As a new Captain, I will be leading human trafficking operations. This course has helped me gain a basis of information to accomplish this."
"The instructors were engaging, and I appreciated their identifying misinformation and providing concrete examples of how CST actually occurs."
"This was a very eye-opening class... the examples of lived experience that the presenters were able to tell us about were really helpful."
"I have a better understanding of how trauma impacts victims' decision-making."
"I will be taking back the details I learned and advice to help others in my office, and will recommend using this training to help inform our community about identifiers of child sex trafficking."

Voices from Child Abduction Tabletop Exercise (CATE) Training Events
"The course serves a great purpose to aid in the investigation for law enforcement."
"The instructors were engaging, knowledgeable and interacted very well with the different departments present. I will definitely use the knowledge gained."
"The information was clear and straightforward. Presenters were very knowledgeable, and it showed through their presentations."
"It most certainly was an eye-opener for me. The reality that such trafficking exists on our reservations and is happening more and more is definitely a concern. I’ve informed our tribal police department and hope to hold another training here. Thank you!"
"The instructor had a special talent of engaging each member of the CART and identifying areas of improvement, but at the same time, instilling confidence in every member."
"This motivated me to stay engaged in training, refine our response strategies, and keep our information up to date for other agency use."
"I really liked how the instructors provided real examples from cases they had worked in the past. This allowed me to think about other situations and scenarios that the training would be helpful for."
"I liked hearing about the additional resources that are available to Tribal organizations and what can be developed for them as well."
"The instructors were very engaging and made the material discussed easy to understand. The scenario helped me to picture things and look at many different ways to handle a situation."
"The tabletop exercise was very helpful and informative. That was the first time I’ve ever done an exercise like that, and I really enjoyed it and learned a lot!"
"This training allowed me to expand my thought process when assisting patrol officers and supervisors at the beginning of an investigation like this."

Voices from SBI: Cross Border Abductions Training Events
"I liked the information shared during the presentations of each speaker. I think we need to generate more links between Mexico and the U.S., since institutions operate very different. These exercises help us to generate more awareness and empathy to generate best practices in our Mexican institutions."
"These types of events are very relevant for the problems that take place in both countries as we work to seek solutions to these types of crimes that can and do affect our countries."
"This training clarified terminology and understanding about abduction and trafficking, which helps to have a broader and more concrete understanding of the issue -- in order to more effectively identify reportable cases."
"I am going to begin a checklist of people I can involve immediately for child abduction cases."

Voices from Investigative Strategies for Child Abduction Cases (ISCAC) Courses
"I'm a 27-year veteran with a great deal of experience in missing juvenile cases and there was information provided that I was not aware from. It's always good to continue to learn."
"Thank you for the helpful information, practice, and networking!"
"Really enjoyed how the instructors addressed the importance of a focus on the victim and what also needs to be done after locating the victim to support them in mental health and medical treatment."
"Absolutely fantastic. Best classroom training I've had in at least the past 10 years. I will seek out additional training!"
"Excellent training, knowledgeable instructors. Would take other course with these instructors."

CHILDREN SAFELY RECOVERED WITH THE HELP OF AMBER ALERT
As of October 31, 2024