Responding to Youth Missing From Foster Care - Wyoming

Date: May 2020

Protocols for Reporting Children Missing From Care to Law Enforcement

Citation: DFS Prot. & Juv. Ser. Man., Pol. # 2.9(4)

From the policy manual: When any child or youth in the care of or under the supervision of the Department of Family Services (DFS) has been identified as a runaway, has been abducted, or is otherwise missing or absent from care, a DFS caseworker shall immediately, and in no case later than 24 hours, notify the following:

  • Local law enforcement to be entered into the National Crime Information Center
  • The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
  • The county attorney or district attorney
  • The guardian ad litem or defense attorney
  • The court or judge

Protocols for Locating Children Missing From Care

This issue is not addressed in the statutes and regulations reviewed.

Determining the Factors That Led to a Child's Absence From Care

Citation: DFS Prot. & Juv. Ser. Man., Pol. # 2.9(4)

Information on any child or youth in the care of or under the supervision of DFS who is a runaway or missing from care shall be documented in DFS data system. The information shall include the date the youth ran away/went missing and the date the youth returned, as well as the reason for leaving.

Determining the Suitability of Current and Subsequent Placements

This issue is not addressed in the statutes and regulations reviewed.

Assessing the Child's Experiences While Absent From Care

Citation: DFS Prot. & Juv. Ser. Man., Pol. # 2.9(4)

The human/sex trafficking screening shall be completed, with the results documented in the DFS data system.

The child or youth shall receive a medical examination. If the youth identifies any sex trafficking indicators, services shall be provided.

Timeframes for Closing a Child's Placement After Running Away

This issue is not addressed in the statutes and regulations reviewed.

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