1. (a)

   1. (1) Occasionally there are instances when a child or youth involved in an open protective services case may run away or otherwise go missing.
   2. (2) In all instances of missing children who are part of an open protective 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.

2. (b) Child who may have been taken without authorization or the family has absconded with the child or children.

   1. (1) If the family or division has reason to believe the child was taken from his or her parents, caretakers, or both, without authorization by another individual, then upon notification, the family’s FSW Caseworker and FSW Caseworker’s supervisor will ensure the following individuals are notified of the child’s disappearance:

      1. (A) Area Director; and
      2. (B) Assistant Director of Field Operations or designee.
   2. (2) The Assistant Director of Field Operations or designee will then notify the Director of the Division of Children and Family Services.

   3. (3) The FSW Caseworker will also issue a protective services alert if:

      1. (A) The family has left the county of origin and moved with his or her child or children to another county or state;
      2. (B) The new address is unknown; and
      3. (C) The child’s health or physical well-being is deemed to be in immediate danger because the family is involved in an open protective services case involving an identified safety threat.

3. (c) Child who may have run away.

   1. (1) If the family, division, or both have reason to believe the child independently left his or her home of his or her own accord (for example, they run away), then upon notification, the family’s FSW Caseworker and FSW Caseworker’s supervisor will ensure the Area Director is also notified of the child’s disappearance.
   2. (2) The FSW Caseworker will then follow the steps outlined below.

Codification Notes: This section as promulgated prior to codification into the Code of Arkansas Rules provided as follows: "07/2024"