9 CAR § 40-606. Child involved in an in-home or prevention services case who is missing

(a)(1)(A) Occasionally there are instances when a child or youth involved in an open in-home services case may run away or otherwise go missing. (B) This includes investigations, differential responses, and in-home cases. (2) In all instances of missing children who are part of an open in-home services case, the Division of Children and Family Services will collaborate with the child’s family, law enforcement, and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) in an effort to locate the child. (b) Child who may have been taken without authorization or the family has absconded with the child or children. (1) If the family or division has reason to believe the child was taken from their parents, caretakers, or both, without authorization by another individual, then upon notification, the family’s Social Service Specialist and the supervisor will ensure the following individuals are notified of the child’s disappearance: (A) Local law enforcement; (B) Social Service Area Manager; and (C) Assistant Director of Field Operations or designee. (2) The Assistant Director of Field Operations or designee will then notify the Director of the Division of Children and Family Services. (3) The Social Service Specialist will also issue a protective services alert if: (A) The family has left the county of origin and moved with their child or children to another county or state; (B) The new address is unknown; and (C) The child’s health or physical well-being is deemed to be in immediate danger because the family is involved in an open case involving an identified safety threat. (c) Child who may have run away. (1) If the family, division, or both have reason to believe the child independently left their home of their own accord (for example, they run away), then upon notification, the family’s Social Service Specialist and supervisor will ensure the Social Service Area Manager is also notified of the child’s disappearance. (2) The Social Service Specialist will then follow state and federal reporting guidelines.