Adults Gone Missing: Alert Systems & Federal Assistance

A patchwork of alert systems to recover vulnerable missing adults is developing through the country. These systems, administered at the state and local levels, are intended to alert law enforcement entities and the public that adults with cognitive impairment or other disabilities are missing and may need assistance. The alerts are activated on behalf of targeted groups of individuals, such as those with cognitive or mental impairment, developmental disabilities, or suicidal tendencies, who may be at high risk of going missing and unable to make their way home or to a safe place. This book provides an overview of the alert systems, including the legal authority to establish the systems; the target population for the alerts; administrative responsibility for the alerts including co-ordination with AMBER alerts; training of law enforcement agencies and other entities about the alerts; the process of activating the alerts and co-ordination of alerts with other states.