In response to the concern for missing children in Florida, the 1982 Florida Legislature appropriated funds to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for the establishment of the first state Missing Children Information Clearinghouse (MCIC) in the nation. The program provides liaison among citizens, private organizations and law enforcement officials regarding missing children information.
The MCIC is located within the Division of Criminal Justice Information Services and is a central repository of information regarding missing children. The information is collected and disseminated to assist law enforcement agencies, public and private organizations and the citizens of Florida in locating missing children. The MCIC is utilized as a resource center and information exchange service, and complements the state and federal computerized missing persons files.
As part of the MCIC's services, a toll-free telephone line (1-888-356-4774) is available twenty-four (24) hours a day, seven (7) days a week.