New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services partners with state Office of Children and Family Services, and National Child Protection Task Force to find children at risk of exploitation and harm

More than 70 local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, nonprofit organizations and private partners leverage their resources and provide critical investigative support to police departments in Westchester County

For Immediate Release: 2/13/2026

The New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) today announced that 43 children and teens reported missing to police in Westchester County have been located through the Westchester Missing Child Rescue Operation. The operation, coordinated by the DCJS Missing Persons Clearinghouse in partnership with the state Office of Children and Family Services, and the National Child Protection Task Force, leveraged the experience, expertise and resources of more than 70 local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, nonprofit organizations, and private partners to provide critical investigative support to local police departments.

“Every missing child case represents a young person who deserves to be safe, supported and seen,” DCJS Commissioner Rossana Rosado said. “This operation brought together an extraordinary group of law enforcement, nonprofit and private partners to share information, pursue new leads and connect children with the services they need. I am proud of the work led by our Missing Persons Clearinghouse, in partnership with the Office of Children and Family Services and the National Child Protection Task Force, and grateful to every agency and organization that came together to help protect children and families here in Westchester County.”

The three-day operation, which concluded Thursday, convened public, nonprofit and private partners with one goal: to explore new leads, review case notes and leverage technology to find children who are at risk of endangerment, exploitation and harm. The 43 children and teens ranged in age from 8 to 17 years old when they were reported missing.

The Office of Children and Family Services coordinated with nonprofit organizations and victim assistance programs throughout the Downstate Region to assist the investigations and provide services and support for children who were recovered, with the goal of addressing their needs and preventing future missing episodes.

A total of 10,629 children younger than 18 were reported missing to police across the state in 2025, with 94 percent of them reported as runaways. Last year, police closed 10,672 cases involving children reported missing in 2025 or years prior. At the end of 2025, there were 1,079 active missing children cases statewide.

National Child Protection Task Force Co-Founder & CEO Kevin Branzetti said, “These outcomes reflect what’s possible when law enforcement, child-protection professionals, and technology partners work side by side with a shared commitment to protecting vulnerable youth. Many people don’t realize that children who run away are among the most vulnerable to trafficking and exploitation, which makes urgency and coordination essential. These aren’t statistics — they are OUR children.”

New York State Office of Children and Family Services Commissioner Dr. DaMia Harris-Madden said, “Witnessing the third iteration of the New York State Missing Child Operation (MCO) today was an intense and purposeful reminder of what true collaboration looks like. Each action of the professionals involved appeared to be driven by the shared urgency to save and protect children from harm. I am extremely prideful and grateful for OCFS’ partnership with the NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services and the National Child Protection Task Force who together with local, state, and national partners, located and offered support services to over 80 missing young people. Addressing the needs of youth with multiple missing episodes requires a broad, comprehensive service response. This meticulous work would not be possible without strong community partnerships, and we commend the work of the members of law enforcement, the Westchester County DSS, NYC Administration for Children’s Services, The Children’s Village, and JCCA, and many others who centered safety and protection.”

New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James said, “Sometimes, the unthinkable happens and a child goes missing, placing them in the worst of situations. Although investigations of missing and exploited children are difficult, acts that threaten the well-being of children are unconscionable. Interagency operations such as this are crucial, and we will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to safeguard the children of New York.”

Westchester County District Attorney Susan Cacace said, “As chief law enforcement officer in Westchester County, the plight of missing and exploited children has always been a top priority for me. Efforts like this week’s operation help bring theoretical leads into the realm of the practical, giving our investigative partners the resources and expertise needed to solve their most challenging cases. Thanks to these collaborations, we are able to work together to more effectively protect children from harm and reunite them with their families and loved ones. I’m so proud of the work we are doing with our local and state government partners to keep children safe and look forward to working with them on future operations.”

City of Mount Vernon Police Chief Marcel Olifiers said, “We were proud to take part in this operation and to help locate missing children from our community. This effort shows the real impact of agencies working together to protect young people and support families.”

Town of Mt. Pleasant Police Chief Paul Oliva said, “I am proud of the work that the team is doing to conduct such organized and focused work to find these at-risk youth.”

Yonkers Police Commissioner Christopher Sapienza said, “The Yonkers Police Department is honored to have been part of this operation, which proved the power of concentrated, coordinated law enforcement efforts. By bringing together local, state, and federal partners with a singular focus, we were able to locate vulnerable children and teens who may have been at serious risk. This outcome underscores why missing-person investigations must remain a top priority. When agencies work side by side with purpose, lives are protected.”

914Cares CEO Lisa Horten said, “914Cares is honored to play a small role in supporting this incredible operation by providing basic essentials for the children who are being found this week. The work that National Child Protection Task Force does with their Missing Child Rescue Operations truly showcases the power of collaboration at its best.”

This is the third operation spearheaded by staff of the DCJS Missing Persons Clearinghouse and the NCPTF. The first in Erie County resulted in the location of 47 children reported missing to police departments in Buffalo and Amherst. The second in the Capital Region resulted in the location of 71 reported missing to police departments in Albany, Schenectady, and Troy.

Westchester County partners: Police departments in Dobbs Ferry, Mt. Pleasant, Mount Vernon, Westchester County Department of Public Safety, White Plains, and Yonkers; District Attorney’s Office; Department of Social Services; Probation Department; Real Time Crime Center.

Community-based organizations, hospitals, and victim assistance programs: New York City Administration for Children Services.

Other law enforcement partners in New York State: DCJS Crime Analysis Centers, New York City Police Department, New York State Attorney General’s Office, New York State Police, Port Authority Police NY/NJ.

Federal, national and private partners: FBI; National Center for Missing and Exploited Children; United States Marshal Service.

914 Cares, a Westchester County-based nonprofit, embedded with the National Child Protection Task Force throughout the week. Their team volunteered inside the command center and provided new and gently used clothing, hygiene supplies, winter wear, comfort items, blankets, backpacks, shoes, and diapers for children located during the operation.

National nonprofit partners including the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), Operation Light Shine, and the National Cyber-Forensics and Training Alliance (NCFTA) provided investigative and strategic support throughout the operation.

Verizon Frontline deployed solutions enabling the establishment of a secure Wi-Fi network for the operation’s command center, providing mission-critical communications capabilities. Verizon Frontline also sponsors Missing Child Rescue Operations nationwide, supporting NCPTF’s ability to deliver coordinated, technology-driven assistance to law enforcement agencies.

The NCPTF also received generous support from the Mount Kisco Target, who donated essential items and volunteered to shop for supplies for children located during the operation.

NCPTF’s private-sector partners including Meta, Snap, Inc., TikTok, Stripe, Google, Block, Inc., Verizon, and PayPal expedited critical support requests to help law enforcement locate endangered children urgently.

The Division of Criminal Justice Services is home to the Missing Persons Clearinghouse and provides critical support to all facets of the state’s criminal justice system, including, but not limited to: training law enforcement and other criminal justice professionals; overseeing a law enforcement accreditation program; ensuring Breathalyzer and speed enforcement equipment used by local law enforcement operate correctly; managing criminal justice grant funding; analyzing statewide crime and program data; providing research support; overseeing county probation departments and alternatives to incarceration programs; and coordinating youth justice policy. Follow DCJS on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

The National Child Protection Task Force (NCPTF) is a nonprofit organization focused on creating better outcomes for missing, exploited, and trafficked children. By bringing together experienced investigators, analysts, and private-sector partners, NCPTF provides intelligence, advanced technology, and coordinated investigative support to help law enforcement locate endangered children.

NCPTF’s work doesn’t stop when a child is located. The organization helps agencies understand why a child ran, identify patterns of risk, and strengthen coordination so vulnerable children have better opportunities for stability and safety.

NCPTF exists because every missing child is endangered — and every second matters. Missing Child Rescue Operations are supported nationally by the Tim Tebow Foundation, The Jensen Project, and Answer the Call, with additional financial support from Snap Inc., Verizon, Clearview AI, DataPilot, Block, Inc., Penlink, Target, Skopenow, WhoIsXML API, Police Athletic League, netGenius, and Thomson Reuters.

The NCPTF is also equipped with advanced investigative technology provided by partners including DarkOwl, District 4 Labs, Elephantastic, Epieos, Flashpoint, FOG Data Science, Clearview AI, Penlink, GeoComply API, HYAS, Kaseware, Kasm, OSINT Combine, OSINT Industries, Pipl, Predicta Lab, SpyCloud, and Telemetry. These tools are leveraged during Missing Child Rescue Operations and to support law enforcement agencies across the country year-round in time-sensitive, child-focused investigations.

For more information, visit ncptf.org.

The post Westchester Missing Child Rescue Operation Results in Successful Location of 44* Children and Teens first appeared on National Child Protection Task Force.

Communications Specialist (Contract)

The Communications Specialist is a part-time contractor who supports NCPTF’s mission through digital content creation, outreach, and brand-aligned storytelling. This role works closely with the COO, Director of Development, and Operations & Communications Manager to execute communications that strengthen NCPTF’s visibility, donor engagement, and public awareness.

This contractor produces high-quality content across platforms, maintains brand consistency, and ensures NCPTF’s messaging reflects trauma-informed, ethical storytelling that honors the children and partners we serve. The ideal candidate brings creativity, strong technical skills, and a deep commitment to NCPTF’s mission.

This is a contract role for 16 hours per week.

Key Responsibilities:

Content Creation & Digital Communications:

• Produce compelling content for social media, email, website updates, and outreach campaigns.
• Collaborate with the Director of Development and Operations & Communications Manager on communications for fundraising efforts and Missing Child Rescue Operation storytelling.
• Create graphics, presentations, and written materials using Canva or Adobe Creative Suite.
• Assist with basic video production & editing for social media, donor-facing content, and campaign storytelling.
• Support updates to NCPTF’s website to reflect current programming and initiatives.

Social Media & Audience Engagement:

• Manage and schedule content across social media platforms to increase awareness and engagement.
• Monitor audience response and engagement; flag messages requiring Development or Operations attention.
• Draft and deploy email outreach in HubSpot, coordinating with Development and the Operations & Communications Manager for timing and messaging.
• Support outreach efforts tied to donor campaigns, events, and partner engagement.

Brand Stewardship & Ethical Storytelling:

• Uphold NCPTF’s brand standards, voice, tone, and trauma-informed storytelling practices.
• Maintain visual consistency across all content and channels.
• Serve as a steward of NCPTF’s mission-centered messaging in collaboration with the Development and Operations teams.

Reporting & Administrative Support:

• Track and report social media, email, and content performance metrics.
• Provide insights and recommendations to strengthen engagement and visibility.
• Support administrative tasks related to communications workflows, documentation, and content management.

Qualifications:

• 3+ years of experience in communications, digital marketing, nonprofit storytelling, or related work.
• Demonstrated ability to create visually compelling content using Canva or Adobe Creative Suite.
• Strong writing and editing skills, especially in mission-driven or storytelling contexts.
• Experience with social media management tools and CRM/email platforms (HubSpot preferred).
• Ability to analyze engagement metrics and use data to improve content performance.
• Self-starter who communicates clearly and works independently in a remote environment.

Key Competencies:

• Strong written and visual storytelling ability
• Content planning and execution
• Digital engagement strategy
• Graphic design and branding awareness
• Mission alignment and enthusiasm for ethical communication practices
• Excellent time management and flexibility

Expectations:

• Contracted for 16 hours per week; flexible scheduling with availability for collaborative planning and deadlines.
• Participate in recurring check-ins with the COO, Director of Development, and Operations & Communications Manager.
• Maintain confidentiality and adhere to NCPTF’s ethical storytelling standards.
• Deliver content on time and communicate proactively around deadlines or needs.

Why Join NCPTF?

• Mission-Driven Work: Contribute to a cause that directly impacts the safety and well-being of children.
• Growth Opportunities: Play a pivotal role in shaping NCPTF’s development program.
• Flexibility: Work remotely with opportunities for meaningful engagement.
• Collaboration: Be part of a team that values innovation, transparency, and professional growth.

This position is now closed. If you’re interested in supporting NCPTF’s mission, we invite you to explore our Volunteer Opportunities.

The post NCPTF is hiring a Communications Specialist (Contract) first appeared on National Child Protection Task Force.

Operations & Communications Manager

The Operations & Communications Manager is a mid-level professional who serves as the on-site lead for all Missing Child Rescue Operations. Working closely with the COO, Program Director, and Director of Development, this role translates months of strategic planning into seamless on-the-ground execution. This person is the primary operations point-person at every operation—managing vendors, directing volunteers, guiding day-of logistics, and supporting participants and partners with calm, confident leadership.

This position also serves as NCPTF’s operational communications hub, coordinating creative vendors, managing information flow across teams, and supporting Development in telling accurate, compelling stories about Missing Child Rescue Operations and partner impact.

The ideal candidate is a self-starter who thrives under pressure, and someone energized by travel.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Operational Coordination & Event Logistics

• Partner with the Program Director to plan and execute logistics for Missing Child Rescue Operations, and events, including travel, lodging, vendor contracts, participant registration, and day-of scheduling.
• Manage calendar invites, reminders, and communication flow for all operational phases (pre-, during, and post-event).
• Maintain documentation and task tracking to keep all operational milestones and deliverables organized and accessible.
• Capture and consolidate debrief notes and follow-up actions after each operation or event.

On-site Missing Child Rescue Operation Leadership

• Serve as the primary on-site lead for all Missing Child Rescue Operations, acting as the central coordination point for vendors, volunteers, contractors, participants, and sponsors.
• Direct day-of operations with professionalism and calm, adapting quickly to real-time needs in a fast-paced law-enforcement environment.
• “Manage up” confidently with senior leaders, law enforcement partners, and external stakeholders to keep operations moving.
• Represent NCPTF on the ground, maintaining the highest standards of discretion, professionalism, and trauma-informed practice.

2) Communications & Media Coordination

• Serve as the unified source for event communications—internally and externally.
• Maintain relationships with creative vendors (ads, social media, photo/video) and guide them to accurately capture and communicate NCPTF’s mission.
• Partner with the COO and Development to steward NCPTF’s brand—coordinating creative vendors, supporting content and campaign planning, and contributing marketing and storytelling insight to honor our partners and mission.
• Manage information flow among sponsors, vendors, contractors, volunteers and NCPTF teams, ensuring message consistency and accuracy.
• Coordinate with the Development team on sponsor visibility, partner messaging, and co-branded materials for events.
• Arrange and oversee on-site media support during operations, ensuring professional representation, trauma-informed practices, ethical storytelling, and privacy compliance.
• Manage pre- and post-operation media touchpoints (press coordination, content contractors).

3) Cross-Team & Partner Coordination

• Maintain accurate and timely records for all partner, sponsor, and communication touchpoints, to ensure alignment across Operations, Development, and Leadership.
• Partner with Programs to manage controlled access to sensitive operational materials.
• Track partnership communication across teams to maintain one unified channel of outreach and documentation.
• Manage internal and external communication touchpoints with partners, ensuring accuracy and timely updates.

4) Support for Campaigns & Outreach

• Collaborate with the Director of Development on campaign-related materials, donor outreach, and partner communications.
• Assist with coordination of sponsorship fulfillment across operations and fundraising events (logo placement, media inclusion, messaging, & acknowledgment assets).
• Ensure communication and promotional materials reflect NCPTF’s mission, voice, and visual identity.
• Manage relationships with contracted media and communications professionals (photographers, videographers, social media, and ad support) to ensure deliverables align with campaign and event goals.

Key Relationships:

• Internal: Program Director, COO, Director of Development, Executive Assistant, Programs team, Volunteers, and Board Members.
• External: Operation participants, vendors, sponsors, contractors, donors.

Success Profile:

• Operational Communicator: Keeps all parties informed with clarity and consistency.
• Organized Executor: Tracks multiple timelines and ensures deadlines are met.
• Professional Representative: Handles media and partner interactions with tact and alignment to NCPTF’s values.
• On-Site Leader: Remains steady, clear, and solutions-oriented during fast-moving operations.
• Events Specialist: Naturally anticipates needs, reads the room, remains detail-oriented and directs complex logistics with confidence.

Qualifications:

• 3–5 years of experience in event operations, logistics, or communications (event production experience preferred; nonprofit or public-safety background a plus).
• Experience leading large-scale, high-stakes events or operations requiring on-site decision-making and participant coordination.
• Strong situational awareness and ability to lead calmly under pressure.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; experience with briefings and external coordination.
• Proficiency with collaborative tools (Asana, Notion, Microsoft, Slack) and CRM systems (HubSpot experience strongly preferred).
• Marketing or communications experience is a strong plus, especially for candidates who enjoy storytelling & branding.
• Experience managing event volunteers and/or contractors preferred.
• Understanding of trauma-informed communication practices and child protection principles.
• Travel Requirement: Regular travel for Missing Child Rescue Operations, events, and on-site coordination.

Guiding Principles

• Professionalism: Represent NCPTF with integrity and respect in all communications.
• Clarity: Maintain unified, timely information flow between all partners.
• Accountability: Track, document, and confirm completion of all logistics and communications checkpoints.
• Consistency: Ensure NCPTF’s voice and branding remain aligned across every touchpoint.
• Collaboration: Support cross-team efficiency by bridging programs, development, and operations.

Why Join NCPTF?

• Mission-Driven Work: Contribute to a cause that directly impacts the safety and well-being of children.
• Growth Opportunities: Play a pivotal role in shaping NCPTF’s development program.
• Flexibility: Work remotely with opportunities for meaningful engagement.
• Collaboration: Be part of a team that values innovation, transparency, and professional growth.

To Apply:

Please submit your resume and a cover letter detailing your interest to [email protected]. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with priority given to submissions received by December 31, 2025.

This position is now closed. If you’re interested in supporting NCPTF’s mission, we invite you to explore our Volunteer Opportunities.

The post NCPTF is hiring an Operations & Communications Manager first appeared on National Child Protection Task Force.

Director of Development

The Director of Development is a senior, mission-driven leader responsible for advancing NCPTF’s fundraising strategy through high-level relationship management, major donor and partnership cultivation, and strategic campaign leadership. This role ensures all fundraising efforts—whether tied to major gifts, Missing Child Rescue Operation sponsorships, grants, or annual campaigns—are cohesive, intentional, and aligned with organizational priorities.

Working closely with the CEO, COO, and the Operations & Communications teams, the Director of Development stewards NCPTF’s donor and partner ecosystem from introduction through renewal, with regular travel for donor meetings, fundraising events, and Missing Child Rescue Operations as part of the role.

This role is ideal for a builder—someone energized by creating, refining, and leading a development program with limited historical infrastructure and significant growth potential.

Primary Duties:

1. Major Gifts, Grants, & High-Value Partnerships
Core focus: Lead NCPTF’s top-tier donor, sponsor, and funder relationships.

• Manage and grow relationships with major donors, corporate partners, and foundations.
• Steward partners through all stages of engagement, ensuring consistent and meaningful follow-up.
• Support the CEO and COO with major gift cultivation, including prep and post-meeting actions.
• Drive strategy for grants: relationship management, renewals, reporting expectations, and identifying new opportunities.
• Oversee sponsorship outreach, relationship management, renewal cycles, and annual stewardship.
• Coordinate prospect hand-offs between leadership, the Board, and internal teams.
• Develop and refine NCPTF’s donor systems, processes, and pipelines to support long-term growth, particularly in areas where existing infrastructure is minimal.

2. Campaigns, Fundraising Events, & Missing Child Rescue Operation Sponsorships
Core focus: Own strategy and relationships for revenue-generating events and campaigns.

• Lead planning and strategy for established campaigns (year-end fundraising, matching-gift initiatives) and Missing Child Rescue Operation sponsorship drives.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for all major donors, sponsors, and partners.
• Oversee sponsorship fulfillment and recognition, ensuring consistent communication with sponsor and timely and accurate delivery of commitments.
• Collaborate with Communications on campaign themes, messaging, timelines, and co-promotional needs (without managing daily execution).
• Represent NCPTF at events; travel regularly for fundraising engagements and Missing Child Rescue Operations

3. Donor Stewardship Systems & Internal Coordination
Core focus: Ensure donor processes, systems, and internal alignment support long-term relationship

• Ensure stewardship practices are timely, consistent, and aligned with NCPTF’s values.
• Oversee donor data accuracy and reporting; work with Operations/Executive Assistant to maintain donor database and internal tracking.
• Use donor and campaign data to inform strategy, trends, and outreach.
• Guide donor recognition efforts across major donors, sponsors, and partners.
• Coordinate with Operations, Communications, and leadership to ensure messaging, updates, and sponsor touchpoints are aligned.
• Participate in leadership discussions to integrate fundraising priorities with program and operational plans.

Key Relationships:

• Internal: CEO, COO, CFO, Operations & Communications Manager, Executive Assistant, Program staff, Board Members
• External: Corporate partners, major donors, foundation contacts, sponsorship partners, in-kind donors, individual donors

Success Profile:

• Strategic and relationship-driven
• Strong collaborator and communicator
• Proactive in follow-up and stewardship
• Data-informed decision-maker
• Deep alignment with NCPTF’s mission
• Builder & Problem-solver
• Trauma-informed: approaches all external engagement with sensitivity, discretion, and an understanding of the realities surrounding missing and exploited children

Qualifications:

• 7+ years of experience in development, fundraising, or strategic partnerships
• Demonstrated success with major gifts, grants, and corporate relationships
• Proven experience building or revitalizing a development program, donor pipeline, or fundraising system with minimal existing structure
• Strong understanding of donor pipelines
• Understanding of CRM systems (HubSpot preferred)
• Excellent written and verbal communication
• Financial acumen and understanding of budgets
• Highly organized with strong follow-through
• Able and willing to travel regularly for donor, event, and Missing Child Rescue Operation activities

Guiding Principles

• Professionalism: Represent NCPTF with integrity, warmth, and clarity.
• Accountability: Own all relationship follow-up and stewardship expectations.
• Strategic Focus: Lead from a high level, creating and executing a plan to support NCPTF’s strategic vision.
• Collaboration: Work in partnership across all teams and leadership levels.
• Growth Mindset: Continuously refine strategies and embrace innovation in development work.

Why Join NCPTF?

• Mission-Driven Work: Contribute to a cause that directly impacts the safety and well-being of children.
• Growth Opportunities: Play a pivotal role in shaping NCPTF’s development program.
• Flexibility: Work remotely with opportunities for meaningful engagement.
• Collaboration: Be part of a team that values innovation, transparency, and professional growth.

To Apply:

Please submit your resume and a cover letter detailing your interest to [email protected]. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with priority given to submissions received by December 31, 2025.

This position is now closed. If you’re interested in supporting NCPTF’s mission, we invite you to explore our Volunteer Opportunities.

The post NCPTF is hiring a Director of Development first appeared on National Child Protection Task Force.

Kevin Branzetti is the Co-Founder & CEO of the National Child Protection Task Force. With 29 years of law enforcement expertise, including leading cyber-crime and terrorism investigations with the NYPD and Manhattan DA’s Office, Kevin’s leadership helps law enforcement advance child-focused cases with innovative, trauma-informed solutions.

Every parent worries about keeping their kids safe — especially today, when threats don’t just exist outside, but also inside the devices in their hands. Whether it’s through online games, social media, or private messages, predators have more access to children than ever before.

This guide offers 8 real-world, practical ways to help prevent child exploitation — online and offline. These are simple, effective steps that build trust, improve communication, and help kids stay safer in a complex world.

Let’s get something out of the way: no app, filter, or setting can replace the everyday things that protect our kids. The strongest safety net? Connection. When kids feel seen, heard, and supported, they’re far less likely to fall for the traps predators set.

Here’s how to make that happen:

1) Be Present

Your presence is more powerful than any parental control software. Kids need your time, attention, and consistency. When you’re engaged in their world — not just supervising but truly connecting — you’ll notice when something feels off. And they’ll know you’re someone they can go to.

2) Don’t Fear Technology

You don’t need to master every platform. Just ask your kids what they’re using and why they like it. Let them teach you. Curiosity builds trust — and that trust becomes the foundation for safer online behavior.

3) Build a Parent Village

Talk to other parents. Set shared expectations about phone use, screen time, and approved apps. When kids hear consistent boundaries across households, it builds accountability and reduces peer pressure.

4) Start the Conversation Early

Don’t wait until something bad happens. Start early — with small, age-appropriate conversations about privacy, body safety, kindness, and what to do when something feels weird online. These talks should happen regularly, not just after a problem arises.

5) Treat the Internet Like the Outside World

We teach kids to look both ways and not talk to strangers — but forget to say the same about games, DMs, and online chats. Show them how strangers try to connect with you online, so they can recognize those behaviors in their own feeds.

6) Listen to Their “Icks”

If your child says someone gives them a bad vibe or makes them uncomfortable — believe them. Don’t dismiss it. Don’t force interaction. You’re teaching them that their gut feelings matter — and that’s one of the strongest tools for staying safe.

7) Prioritize Their Mental Health

Predators often target kids who feel lonely, invisible, or unsure of themselves. Helping your child build confidence, strong friendships, and self-worth is one of the most important forms of prevention. Connection protects kids.

8) Keep Communication Open

Make sure your kids know they can talk to you about anything — even the uncomfortable stuff. You can’t control everything they’ll see, but you can control how safe they feel bringing it to you. That’s where true protection starts.

Parenting isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being present, curious, and consistent. You don’t have to do it alone — and you don’t need to have all the answers.

Download this guide (PDF)

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Join the search party for endangered missing children.

The need for more Missing Child Rescue Operations has never been greater—every day, more children slip through the cracks. 

We can find them. 

We are proving that rapid, collaborative intervention changes outcomes for our most vulnerable youth nationwide, but without additional funding, we can’t expand these lifesaving operations to the communities that need them most. 

Will you join the search party?

Your gift is matched – dollar for dollar – through December 31st.

The post How to Protect Your Kids from Exploitation: 8 Practical Safety Tips Every Parent Needs first appeared on National Child Protection Task Force.

Griffin Glynn is the Chief Investigations Officer at the National Child Protection Task Force, leveraging over 20 years of expertise in criminal investigations and Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) to lead critical efforts to locate missing, exploited, and trafficked children while providing advanced training worldwide.

At the heart of the National Child Protection Task Force’s mission is a simple belief: any time a child goes missing, they are in danger – and every minute matters.

Our work has reached hundreds of agencies across the country, and our mission has inspired a massive network of subject matter experts to eagerly contribute their own superpowers to this important work. At the center of that network is our Child Protection Advisory Committee (CPAC).

This small, highly trusted group of subject matter experts serves as one of the most important force multipliers in the work we do, bringing unparalleled guidance, experience, and compassion to the agencies and communities we support.

The CPAC is made up of two distinct but equally important groups: law enforcement professionals and social services experts. Each brings deep, specialized knowledge to our daily casework and Missing Child Rescue Operations. Together they create a uniquely powerful support system that strengthens both our on-demand case support and our planned operational impact.

The law enforcement members of our CPAC are some of the most experienced professionals in our network – heroes and advocates who have spent their careers protecting children. When we deploy for an MCRO, these experts don’t just advise from afar. They join our operational teams on-site, embedding directly with investigators to help guide fast-moving casework.

Their presence ensures agencies have immediate access to seasoned, high-level expertise – everything from navigating legal processes to developing innovative strategies that can break open difficult cases. They are trusted, steady hands in situations where precision and experience matter most.

The individuals on this committee are deeply committed to excellence. Each member of CPAC uses their expert skills and passion, transforming CPAC into a force multiplier for local agencies, helping the local agency’s investigator understand where to find critical data in their cases, how to obtain this time sensitive data, and how to apply the data to the local agency’s case to locate a missing child. 

It is a real privilege to work with so many experts whose skill is only matched by their passion for helping protect our most vulnerable persons.

–Kyle Naish, CPAC Chairman

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On the social services side, CPAC members provide an equally critical layer of support. These professionals bring deep insight into child welfare, trauma-informed care, placement options, and family services.

Their work ensures that when a child is located, the services they need aren’t an afterthought – they are ready, coordinated, and integrated from the very start.

During Missing Child Rescue Operations, a child advocacy expert from CPAC helps coordinate the integration of local resources for everything that happens after a child is found: safe placement, immediate support, and the resources families may need to move forward.

Their presence ensures that our operations never focus solely on locating a child, but also on setting them up for long-term safety, stability, and healing – the critical piece of our find + listen + help model.

Our priority is making sure every child is met with a trauma-informed, person-centered response, because how we show up matters just as much as what we do.

Behind every missing child investigation is a young person navigating fear, disconnection, and trauma, and the services branch of CPAC ensures they are never treated like a case file. We bring the human lens, helping multi-disciplinary teams slow down, understand trauma, and create space for connection, regulation, and trust.

Our role is to support teams in the chaos of a crisis so youth feel safe enough to share what they’ve lived through. And when we work together to support the child’s emotional safety and stability first, we strengthen the investigation itself.

–Melissa Kaiser, Director of Child Advocacy Partnerships

The NCPTF Child Protection Advisory Committee represents the best of the best: people who care deeply, who bring unmatched experience, and who elevate every case and every mission we undertake. Their combined expertise is one of the key reasons the NCPTF is making a true, measurable impact – helping creating better outcomes for missing children.

Did you know?

This year alone the National Child Protection Task Force has answered the call over 350 times for missing, exploited, and trafficked children. The Child Protection Advisory Committee enables the NCPTF to assist hundreds of children each year, accelerating missing child investigations forward with speed & precision across the nation.

Every gift made to NCPTF before December 31, 2025 will be matched dollar for dollar. Join our search party for endangered missing children today.

The post Behind the Scenes: The Child Protection Experts Fueling NCPTF’s Mission first appeared on National Child Protection Task Force.

Life would be so much easier if we didn’t have to worry about online predators, but truth-be-told, if we don’t, we leave our children vulnerable. So how can we keep our kids safe online?

Here are 5 tips to help you parent your child and keep them safe in the digital age.

Understand Device Controls in Place

Handing your child a device without parent controls is like throwing your child to a crowd full of strangers and saying, “Here, show them whatever you want.” There are unlimited influences out there, many of them dangerous in nature. A simple google of “Dora” could land you with an innocent episode uploaded to YouTube or it could land your child on sexual content made by someone who deliberately degraded the character’s image.

Shocking material that’s sexual or violent in nature is out there in abundance and if there is nothing in place to prevent your child from stumbling across it (whether they are looking for it or not), then they are vulnerable to harmful exposure.

If you struggle to keep up with technology (which is all of us to some extent as tech continues to evolve and change), ask your school to explain their controls. Don’t assume they have securities in place. If your school does, great! They can explain it to you and open that conversating for other parents. If they don’t, your question illustrates the importance of implementing controls of some sort swiftly.

It is important to realize that parental controls are not fool-proof, but you have to have some line of defense when it comes to nefarious content. A child doesn’t even have to be seeking harmful content for it to find them, and exposure to violence and sexual content at an early age causes long-term damage we are just beginning to understand.

Keep Devices in Shared Areas

Keeping devices in shared areas of the home – kitchen, living room, etc. – especially for younger ages is vital to keeping them safe online. Even for adults, keeping laptops, tablets, games, and desktops in public spaces encourages accountability when it comes to online activity. For young children, this is especially vital – there have been reports of children groomed into sending videos of self-generated sexual abuse material to predators with parents audibly heard in another room.

It is dangerous to think “My child is a good kid – I don’t have to worry about that.” Even the best-behaved children with strong moral-compasses can be manipulated by these professional predators. Eliminate one of the things a predator needs to groom children online – privacy.

Once they are older and understand the risks of online activity and engaging with strangers, then you can evolve privacy rules as they mature.

Talk to Your Kids About Predators

Many of us had parents who completely skipped “the talk” and we had to learn about the birds and the bees on our own. That simply will not work in today’s digital landscape. Not only do we need to talk to our children about healthy sexuality, but we also need to talk to our children about those seeking to hurt them.

Children learn quickly about “scammers” in their games. It is time they learn about online predators too. The conversation could start off with talking about “tricky people.” But a child whose puppy love is already tied up to a groomer they met online may not be able to realize the predator they are talking to is a “tricky person.”

Children need to know what is and isn’t okay for others to expect from them sexually. Yeah, these are uncomfortable conversations, but how else can your child know that the person pretending to be a peer and sending them photos like they want – nudes or sexual in nature – is a criminal? Children don’t know it is inherently wrong at first and the shame might keep them from coming forward.

If your children are not aware of predators, they won’t know how to protect themselves. The showering of affection or attention from online predators is enough to blind any child from the sexual abuse that is coming.

Keep Your Own Social Media In Check

A child’s social media and online footprint can be as pristine as can be, but if yours isn’t, they’re at risk for abuse.

Everyone makes mistakes, and sometimes our children do by slipping up and saying their name in a video game or giving some other identification clue without realizing. Their gamer friends take that information and do a little OSINT search of their own, uncovering your social media.

There they find the first-day-of-school posts, teacher’s name and grade included. A few moments later and they have your child’s school. Enough digging, and they can find your home, even identifying your child’s bedroom from previous Zillow listings – long story short, your social media could be the source of all the information a predator needs to effectively groom your child.

Of course, we love to be proud of our children and share their best moments with friends and family. But we have to realize that not even the best privacy settings keep your child safe from abusers that use your social media posts to their advantage. Sharenting is a real thing, and we all need to be aware.

Be Involved Online

We teach our children how to tie their shoes, look both ways before crossing the street, and flip the perfect pancake. We also need to parent online. Screen time doesn’t mean alone time. Follow your child’s favorite streamers on your favorite social medias. Subscribe to YouTube channels and watch together. Commit to learning a silly TikTok dance. Whatever your child is interested in, make the effort to be interested, too.

This serves two purposes. First, it helps your child feel valued. They don’t separate their online life from their real life – you are involved in both. If they run into trouble online, they are more willing to come forward for help because they know you are in the know of what is going on.

Second, it opens up more parenting opportunities – the needed parenting opportunities. It opens the door for intentional conversations about cyber bullying, harmful online content, etc. Integrity isn’t just how you act in the physical world. It has to be taught for the digital one too.

Have better conversations about online safety with your kids this school year. Download our free guide today.

The post 5 Tips To Keep Kids Safe Online This Semester first appeared on National Child Protection Task Force.

Multi-Agency Operation Unites Local, State, and Federal Partners to Locate and Help Missing and Exploited Youth in Northeast Florida

For Immediate Release: 6/18/2025

Jacksonville, FL – The National Child Protection Task Force (NCPTF), in collaboration with more than 30 local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies and child protection partners, today announced the successful completion of its first-ever Northeast Florida Missing Child Rescue Operation. Over the course of the three-day operation, 25 missing and endangered juveniles were located, and investigative leads were developed in several additional cases.

The multi-agency operation involved intensive case review, investigative follow-up, and the application of advanced technology to rapidly locate children reported missing across Clay, Duval, St. Johns, Nassau, Putnam, and Flagler Counties. Throughout the three-day effort, law enforcement, child protection professionals, prosecutors, social service providers, NGOs, and private partners collaborated to review cases, uncover leads, and develop trauma-informed strategies to help each child gain long-term safety and stability once recovered. 

The Florida Department of Children and Families coordinated with advocacy organizations and local service providers to ensure that recovered children were met with trauma-informed care aimed at preventing future missing episodes. With support from individual donations and community partners, rescued youth were provided with hygiene supplies, food, and comfort items.

This effort brought together the full strength of local, state, and federal law enforcement alongside nonprofit organizations and private-sector experts to provide coordinated investigative support across six counties. By aligning efforts across jurisdictions and disciplines, the operation reinforced regional capacity to respond to missing child cases and laid the groundwork for a more unified, proactive safety net for vulnerable children in Northeast Florida. 

This operation was made possible through the generous support of the Tim Tebow Foundation, whose partnership enabled the deployment of NCPTF and participating partners to Northeast Florida. Operation Light Shine hosted the operation along with the INTERCEPT Task Force. Additional support for the operation was provided by The Jensen Project, Block, Inc., WhoIsXML API, Snap, Inc., Clearview AI, Target, Meta, TikTok, Verizon, Thomson Reuters, The National Cyber-Forensics and Training Alliance, Her Song, Northeast Florida Human Trafficking Coalition, Isaiah 117, Protecting Children’s Innocence Task Force, UF Health, SMA Healthcare, Duval County SAFE Center, Open Doors, First In, See the Girl, K9s for Warriors, and Starbucks.

“Every missing child deserves a community that refuses to give up,” said Kevin Branzetti, CEO and Co-Founder of the National Child Protection Task Force. “In Northeast Florida, that’s exactly what happened. Law enforcement, social services, and community partners came together—not just to find, but to listen, and help. At NCPTF, we believe real change happens through collaboration, kindness, and relentless determination. This week, we didn’t just find missing children—we built trust, strengthened systems, and showed what’s possible when people put purpose over ego. The momentum we created here doesn’t end—it becomes a model for what every community can do.”

“One of our non-negotiables at the Tim Tebow Foundation is that there is power when we come together. We’re humbled to come alongside this incredible team of law enforcement, child protection agencies, experts, and partners to stand in the gap for these missing and vulnerable children,” shared Tim Tebow, founder and chairman of the Tim Tebow Foundation. “Our heart is to fight for the world’s Most Vulnerable People – the real MVPs – and we’re so encouraged that we were able to be a part of impacting these lives this week.”

“Hosting this operation at our INTERCEPT office wasn’t just an honor — it was a reflection of what’s possible when committed partners come together with one purpose: to protect kids,” added Operation Light Shine Chief Operating Officer, Bryan Weight. “This mission is deeply personal to us, and we’re proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with those on the front lines across Northeast Florida. Together, we’re not just responding — we’re building a safer future for our children.”

“The missing child rescue operation showcased the steadfast partnership among local, state, and federal law enforcement, alongside our valued nonprofit partners,” added St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office and Executive Board Chairman for INTERCEPT, Director Howard Cole. “We stood united in our pledge to every Northeast Florida parent. Our investigators and all personnel worked tirelessly, deploying every resource with urgency and compassion to safely recover their missing children.”

“We’re proud to work closely with our local, state and federal partners to not only help find missing children, but to restore hope,” a spokesperson for the Clay County Sheriff’s Office said. “There’s no greater responsibility than protecting our most vulnerable – our youth – and keeping our community safe. Operations like this demonstrate the powers of working in unified action, when we all come together for a shared purpose.”

Detailed results and further information on individual cases will be managed confidentially by respective law enforcement agencies to protect the privacy of the involved minors. As case work continues, additional rescues are expected throughout the region.

The National Child Protection Task Force is a nonprofit dedicated to creating better outcomes for missing, exploited, and trafficked children. By uniting elite investigators, law enforcement, and private-sector specialists, NCPTF provides real-time intelligence, cutting-edge technology, and expert-led investigative support to locate endangered children faster. But their mission goes beyond the search—they strengthen how communities respond, bridging gaps between agencies, identifying risk factors, and equipping frontline professionals with the tools to create lasting solutions. NCPTF exists because every missing child is endangered—and every second counts. Our mission is urgent: Find. Listen. Help. For more information, visit www.ncptf.org.

The Tim Tebow Foundation exists to bring Faith, Hope and Love to those needing a brighter day in their darkest hour of need. Since inception in 2010, the ministry has served some of the world’s Most Vulnerable People across more than 100 countries and counting. This mission is fulfilled daily through ministry outreach focused on Anti-Human Trafficking and Child Exploitation, Orphan Care + Prevention, Profound Medical Needs, and Special Needs Ministry. To learn more, visit www.timtebowfoundation.org. Through its support of NCPTF’s Missing Child Rescue Operations, the Foundation provides vital resources to rescue and restore hope for vulnerable children nationwide.

Operation Light Shine is a nonprofit organization dedicated to equipping law enforcement and frontline responders with the resources, intelligence, and technology needed to combat human trafficking and child exploitation. Through its flagship initiative—the INTERCEPT Task Force model—Operation Light Shine provides logistical and operational support, technical expertise, and survivor-centered training to strengthen systems of response across the country. For more information, visit www.operationlightshine.org.

Your support allows us to expand Missing Child Rescue Operations to new communities, provide critical resources, and accelerate investigations when every second counts. Our next rescue operation starts in less than 90 days.

Support Missing Child Rescue Operations

The post First-Ever Northeast Florida Missing Child Rescue Operation Successfully Locates 23* Missing & Endangered Children first appeared on National Child Protection Task Force.

Kevin Branzetti is the Co-Founder & CEO of the National Child Protection Task Force. With 29 years of law enforcement expertise, including leading cyber-crime and terrorism investigations with the NYPD and Manhattan DA’s Office, Kevin’s leadership helps law enforcement advance child-focused cases with innovative, trauma-informed solutions.

In the spring of 2018, at the National Cyber Crime Conference, the seed of the National Child Protection Task Force was planted. I had just attended a presentation about a missing child who had been gone for two weeks—not because law enforcement wasn’t trying, but because the technology needed to find them was simply out of reach. Thankfully, that child was ultimately found. But sitting there, it was clear to me: we had to do better.

After the presentation, two of us sat down and had a conversation that would change everything. We talked about the gap between investigative needs and technological capabilities. We talked about people—experts in investigations, geolocation, open-source intelligence, and legal processes—who might be willing to help. And we imagined a way to bring them all together.

Over the next year, with many people’s thoughts, ideas, and dedication, that conversation became something real. A group of friends—some new, some longtime—came together and volunteered to respond whenever the call came in to help find missing, exploited, and trafficked children. The National Child Protection Task Force was born to fill the widening gap: law enforcement, regardless of size or location, simply couldn’t keep pace with the speed of technological change. NCPTF stepped into that void. We knew we couldn’t wait for permission to act. So we formed a working group and waited for the first call.

Then that first case came in — a teenage girl had gone missing, and all signs pointed to online exploitation. The local police department had leads but needed help, so we jumped in. A group of us got on a call and started working — pulling data, connecting dots, piecing together digital footprints. Hours passed.

Then came the call: “We got her.” She was alive.
That moment — that spark — lit the fire.

Since that day, dozens of people have joined the NCPTF. And for every new volunteer or team member, the first time they hear the words “We got him” or “We found her” — it changes them forever.

At the beginning, it was just a handful of us. No titles. No paychecks. Just a team ready to respond — any hour, any day. We became a rapid-response partner for law enforcement, stepping in when a child was missing or in danger — and time was critical. While agencies navigated heavy caseloads and limited resources, we brought extra hands, digital expertise, and a sense of urgency. One case led to a few more, and a few more turned into dozens — each solved through collaboration, commitment, and one guiding belief: no child should ever be invisible.

We also knew this: every day a child is missing, the danger grows. Exploitation. Assault. Addiction. Trafficking. Incarceration. Death. That’s the reality. That’s the cost of waiting. That’s why we never did.

And we didn’t just do the work — we shared it. If we tracked a burner phone or uncovered an alias account on Instagram, we didn’t keep it to ourselves. We taught the investigators how we did it — equipping them to do it the next time.

In 2019, we took the leap and formally became a nonprofit. None of us had run an organization before, but we knew how to follow a lead. Our team brought together expertise in criminal investigations, OSINT, mobile forensics, legal processes, and emerging tech — and when we didn’t have what a case needed, we went out and found it.

As our volunteer network grew, a few remarkable individuals didn’t just join the mission — they invested in it. They believed in what we were capable of building for vulnerable kids and became our first major funders, making it possible for a few of us to take this work on professionally, full-time. Our capacity grew with them, and so did our impact.

Building a Mission-Driven Team

Over the next few years, we built something rare: a team of professionals united by mission, not title. Some joined from law enforcement. Others from the private sector. Several started as volunteers. A few were survivor leaders — individuals who turned their own experiences into fuel for change. One by one, they stepped up.

We taught at conferences from Arkansas to Australia, Boston to Brazil — training law enforcement at all levels — and launched our own conference to bring forward new methods for locating and protecting missing and exploited children.

But we also listened — to survivors, to frontline officers, and to communities. And that shaped our evolution. One case turned into hundreds each year. And through that work, we learned something critical: In the U.S., most sex-trafficked and exploited children started out as runaways.

That was a wake-up call. If we could find and support a child the first time they ran, maybe — just maybe — we could prevent their exploitation altogether.

Our North Star became this: Every time a child runs away, it’s a cry for help — and as adults, it’s our job to answer that call.

The Shift in 2024

In 2024, our mission grew. We realized that finding a missing child was only the beginning. Too often, the same child would go missing again weeks later — a cycle we couldn’t ignore.

So we started asking deeper questions: Why did this child run? What were they running from — or to? What support is missing in their life?

That’s when we launched Missing Child Rescue Operations — immersive, week-long missions where we join local agencies on the ground, tracking, locating, and helping missing kids in real time.

We partnered with local, state, and federal law enforcement, child protection professionals, and service providers. In Buffalo, we located 47 children in three days. In Albany, it was 71. But more importantly, every child was offered trauma-informed care, a pathway to healing, and a chance to be seen beyond their missing person report.

These operations are built on one guiding principle: Find. Listen. Help.

Where We’re Headed

Today, we’re a small nonprofit with a national impact. We don’t receive federal funding. We don’t have a massive budget. But we do have a team of some of the brightest minds in investigations — and a belief that every child deserves to be found, supported, and surrounded by people who never stop showing up.

We’re expanding Missing Child Rescue Operations across the country. We’re growing the resources we offer to survivors and the communities that care for them. And we’re building a legacy where volunteers become leaders, survivors shape solutions, and no child is out of reach.

If you’re wondering where you fit into this fight — you already do. Join us.

We’re getting ready to launch our next Missing Child Rescue Operation in less than 30 days. Right now, thanks to a generous gift from The Jensen Project, every dollar donated will be matched up to $75,000.
There’s no better time to join us on this important mission–Get involved today.

The post The History of the NCPTF first appeared on National Child Protection Task Force.

Today, we’re proud to honor some of the people who made an extraordinary impact this year. Meet our 2024 World Changers:

Volunteer of the Year | Jochen Timmerman

When we talk about commitment, consistency, and quiet impact, we’re talking about Jochen.

Jochen Timmerman has consistently gone above and beyond in his volunteer work with NCPTF. He’s not just a skilled investigator—he’s a true partner to our team. His OSINT expertise, persistence, and sharp instincts have contributed to the resolution of multiple cases. And his approach? Always thoughtful, always collaborative.

Whether it’s adapting to a new case management system, recommending helpful tools, or identifying new OSINT strategies, Jochen is constantly pushing us forward. He’s the kind of teammate who listens closely, applies feedback immediately, and works tirelessly to help uncover the next clue.

He’s the volunteer you want on a tough case—and the one we hope every new volunteer grows into.

Law Enforcement Partner | Sergeant Matt Foster, Arkansas State Police

Matt Foster sets a standard for tenacity that simply cannot be matched. His tireless efforts to organize law enforcement, social services, and NGO partner resources to help respond to Arkansas’ missing children is second to none – and he does it all for the children, without a single thought of credit or self-promotion.

NCPTF has been privileged to work alongside Matt over the years on many cases of missing, exploited, and trafficked children, where he has been the model law enforcement partner. With his relentless focus and child-centric approach, he has created, grown, and managed a powerhouse working group dedicated to doing whatever it takes to provide better outcomes for the children in their communities. We are continually in awe of what he’s been able to accomplish, and amazed by his constant desire to do even more.

Matt would be the first to tell you that he’s only one part of a much larger system making significant impact in this world, but everyone who knows Matt would gladly argue that he’s so much more.

Leadership in Action | Lieutenant David Mann, Buffalo Police Department

When NCPTF first proposed a new model for community-based rescue operations, most people were cautious. Lt. David Mann wasn’t just open—he invited us in.

As the lead law enforcement partner in our first-ever Missing Child Rescue Operation, Lt. Mann gave us more than permission. He gave us trust. His willingness to try something different—to bring in external experts, challenge the usual response model, and prioritize the long-term safety of missing children—laid the foundation for one of the most impactful initiatives we’ve ever launched.

Since then, Lt. Mann has continued to lead with integrity, purpose, and follow-through. He’s helped ensure that the work didn’t end with a single operation. Because of his leadership, the City of Buffalo—and the State of New York—are better equipped to respond to missing and exploited children.

Lt. Mann wasn’t just willing to lead. He was willing to grow, adapt, and make space for something better.

Relentless Allies | New York DCJS Missing Persons Clearinghouse

Some partnerships go beyond collaboration. They become part of who we are.

The New York State Missing Persons Clearinghouse has stood with NCPTF in a way that’s hard to put into words. From the very first call, they’ve shown up—not just to support our efforts, but to actively help strengthen them. They’ve been in the trenches with us as we’ve created Missing Child Rescue Operations, helping to coordinate agencies, pull together resources, educate, innovate, and make sure no detail goes unnoticed when a child’s safety is on the line.

This team has become an extension of our own. They don’t hesitate to dig deeper, stay longer, or make the hard calls. They’ve helped us respond faster and more effectively—not just in New York, but in every state that learns from the model we built together.

They are more than partners. They are relentless protectors of missing children working towards a shared mission.

Earlier this year, NCPTF honored longtime Clearinghouse leader Cindy Neff for her extraordinary career protecting New York’s most vulnerable missing people. Her retirement came just after the Capital Region Missing Child Rescue Operation—an effort that located 71 missing children and one missing vulnerable adult. From the spark of an idea to 117 missing children located in just two operations, Cindy’s dedication to creating a new way forward for missing kids is a legacy that will continue to shape the work we do, in New York and beyond.

The post Celebrating our 2024 World Changers first appeared on National Child Protection Task Force.