Young County, Texas has launched a new child ID program, aptly called Kid ID. The county developed the program with the local sheriff’s office as a way to make it easier to find missing children. Taking inspiration from similar programs already in place in neighboring central Texas communities, the Kid ID program features cards that include each child’s name, photo, birth date, height and weight, along with the parents’ names and address, and the date the card was printed. The cards also include the child’s thumbprint and a hologram to prevent duplication, plus information for their parents on what to do should their child go missing.

The equipment used for the Kid ID program includes a laptop computer, ID card printer, digital camera, and a thumb print reader. The cards are actually issued the parents so that when a child goes missing, they can immediately provide police with important details and identifying information that might be difficult to recall in stressful situations. The information is also stored securely on a computer so it can be immediately sent to the media if the situation warrants an intense search. So far about 535 child ID cards have been issued throughout the county.