AMBER Advocate Issues

AMBER Advocate — 2024 Issue 1

The first issue of 2024 features the top 5 technological tools our experts believe should be on your radar. We also introduce you to Dr. Noelle Hunter, whose daughter, Muna, was abducted by her father to West Africa—a move that launched Dr. Hunter into international parental child abduction (IPCA) advocacy work (that thankfully helped get Muna returned). We share the story of a toddler’s abduction in Mexico that unfolded during a conference on missing children—with U.S. government and AMBER Alert Training & Technical Assistance leaders present to experience the rescue of “Baby Angela” in real-time. And we share the latest AMBER Alert-related news from across the nation, Indian Country, and the globe.

AMBER Advocate — Issues 3 & 4, 2023

Our special double issue offers an in-depth look at the issues most important to the eight parents of missing children who helped us create the new multimedia Fifth Edition of When Your Child Is Missing: A Family Survival Guide. It not only highlights their advice for other parents navigating chaos, but also what law enforcement can learn from their experiences. And we spotlight the new memoir of one of the Guide’s parent-authors, Patty Wetterling (Dear Jacob: A Mother’s Journey of Hope). Patty is a longtime advocate for missing children and who has advised countless law enforcement officers on how to best work with families of missing children. We also talk with Chitimacha Tribal Police Chief Jada Breaux of Louisiana. And we look at a complex case, spanning from New York to Mexico, that was resolved by quick and effective collaboration.

AMBER Advocate — Issue 2 2023

The second AMBER Advocate issue of 2023 spotlights the recent National AMBER Alert Training and Technical Assistance Program/AMBER Alert in Indian Country Symposium, which attracted hundreds of law enforcement professionals to Tucson. We feature participants’ compelling takes on numerous topics explored at the event, including best practices for investigating endangered missing and abducted children (particularly those from Tribal lands and children of color); essential and emerging technologies; and the need for more and better wellness care. We also look at how a Florida sheriff’s department enlisted their community—and a novel tracking app—in their successful search for a 2-year-old, and meet tech-savvy West Virginia State Police First Sergeant James Kozik.

AMBER Advocate — Issue 1 2023

The first AMBER Advocate issue of 2023 features an array of new AATTAP training opportunities now in gear-ones we’ve dubbed “By You, For You,” since they’re driven by valuable input from law enforcement and child protection professionals from around the U.S. and in Indian Country. We also spotlight a case involving a Utah teen abducted from his home from a fellow social gamer-an accused sexual predator, twice his age, who drove him 800 miles before a good Samaritan alerted authorities in Nebraska. Next we talk with AATTAP Region One Liaison Joan Collins, a law enforcement veteran who shares the secret to good communication and morale. And we round out the issue with missing child­related news certain to educate and inspire.

AMBER Advocate – Issue 4 2022

The final 2022 issue of the AMBER Advocate features the work of an Arizona Child Abduction Response Team that exemplifies the value of a well-structured, well-sustained CART. Our front lines story details the power of an ‘SOS’ social media post in alerting law enforcement to two abducted Texas teens. Meet Steve Benefield, the new Emergency Alert Coordinator for the Texas Center for the Missing who was able to hit the ground running with help from his dynamic predecessor Denise O’Leary. And read about AMBER Alert and other endangered missing persons work underway through briefs from across the U.S. and internationally.

AMBER Advocate – Issue 3 2022

The third issue of 2022 of the AMBER Advocate features the work of our AMBER Alert in Indian Country program to distribute Technology Toolkits to tribal law enforcement agencies across the country. Our front lines story spotlights the incredible attention and diligent work of an Idaho state trooper in safely recovering an 11-year-old Georgia boy abducted by his father. Meet Lieutenant Stacie Lick of New Jersey, whose leadership and commitment has been central to bringing Child Abduction Response Teams to her state. Read about AMBER Alert and other endangered missing persons work underway through briefs from across the U.S. and internationally.

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AMBER Advocate – Issue 2 2022

With this edition, the AMBER Advocate celebrates the 50th issue of the newsletter! For more than 15 years, the AMBER Advocate Training and Technical Assistance Program has been honored to share stories from AMBER Alert programs across the nation and internationally! Issue 50 features an in-depth interview with Program Administrator Janell Rasmussen, as she reflects on her first full year in the position, and her vision going forward based on her time with AATTAP and her decades of work with AMBER Alert and child protection. We also bring you a recap of the 2022 National AMBER Alert Virtual Symposium, and an amazing multi-state success story based on the unified efforts and swift responses of Tennessee, Arizona and California. Through our ‘briefs’ section, read about AMBER Alert and other endangered missing persons work underway across the U.S. and internationally.

AMBER Advocate – Issue 1 2022

The first issue of 2022 of the AMBER Advocate features the expansion and growth of Wireless Emergency Alerts in Indian Country. We also bring you a double dose of AMBER Alert on the front lines with stories from Texas and Illinois. Meet Wisconsin’s AMBER Alert Coordinator and Missing Person’s Clearinghouse Manager, Melissa Marchant. Read about AMBER Alert and other endangered missing persons work underway through briefs from across the U.S. and internationally.

AMBER Advocate – Issue 4 2021

The final 2021 issue of the AMBER Advocate features the highlights and key takeaways from the 2021 National AMBER Alert and AMBER Alert in Indian Country Virtual Symposium event. We also bring you a story of the amazing power of AMBER Alert at work in Connecticut with the safe recovery of a special needs 4-year-old in just one hour of the alert’s issuance. Meet Florida’s Missing Endangered Persons Information Clearinghouse Supervisor Jon Roddenberry and learn of his work and dedication to child protection and law enforcement over more than two decades with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Read about AMBER Alert and other endangered missing persons work underway through briefs from across the U.S. and internationally.

AMBER Advocate – Issue 3 2021

The third 2021 issue of the AMBER Advocate highlights the 2021 National Missing Children’s Day and the remembrances which continue to inspire law enforcement and communities around the glob to join in the important work of bringing missing and abducted children home.
On the front lines of AMBER Alert, read about the safe recovery of an abducted child in which swift and excellent coordination between the St. Joseph Police Department and Missouri Highway Patrol resulted in the issuance of an AMBER Alert within 14 minutes of initial request, and the abductor’s surrender of himself and the child just 47 minutes later.
Also on the front lines, learn how Washington State’s Homeward Bound Program is working with the trucking industry to increase awareness and identification efforts around the state’s missing children.
Meet the other amazing leader in Maryland’s AMBER Alert Coordination team, Deborah Flory, who’s25-year career with the Maryland State Police and work with that state’s AMBER Alert program since2003 have proven her relentless dedication to safely recovering missing and abducted children and supporting their families through these terrible experiences.
And finally, read briefs from the U.S. and other countries around the globe for highlights on child protection and public alerting efforts underway.

AMBER Advocate – Issue 2 2021

The second 2021 issue of the AMBER Advocate features a tribute to outgoing AATTAP Administrator Jim Walters, with reflections of gratitude offered from AMBER Alert partners across the nation as part of a virtual farewell event held in his honor.
On the front lines of AMBER Alert, read about a February 2021 child abduction in which a Minnesota woman’s rapid response to the AMBER Alert on her cell phone helped police safely recover the child just seven minutes later.
In remembrance of Ashlynne Mike’s abduction and murder 5 years ago, her mother Pamela Foster, shares how she and others honored Ashlynne through what is now an annual walk to keep her memory alive and continue to increase awareness of the importance of AMBER Alert in Indian Country.
Meet Maryland’s AMBER Alert Coordinator and Missing Persons Clearinghouse Manager, Carla Proudfoot, a highly experienced and tireless professional working to protect children and support operational readiness for law enforcement’s effective response to endangered missing and abducted children in her state.
Read briefs from the U.S. and other countries around the globe for highlights on child protection and public alerting efforts underway.

AMBER Advocate – Issue 1 2021

The first 2021 issue of the AMBER Advocate features AATTAP’s efforts to keep training opportunities alive through virtual, live instructor-led training and self-paced eLearning, in light of the unprecedented changes the COVID pandemic has brought to travel and onsite training. On the ‘Front Lines’ of AMBER Alert programs across the nation, this issue highlights the Utah AMBER Alert, law enforcement, and public’s rapid response to the November 2020 abduction of a 10-month-old infant. Read about AMBER Alert success in Indian Country as the Navajo Nation demonstrated its readiness in response to a November 2020 abduction of two sisters. And meet another dedicated partner in the AMBER Alert network, Corporal Shawn Kofluk, Pennsylvania AMBER Alert Coordinator and Missing Persons Clearinghouse Manager.

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AMBER Advocate – Issue 4 2020

The fourth and final issue of 2020 features California’s efforts to increase the effectiveness of the state’s AMBER Alerts, and brings you a harrowing story of Georgia’s August 2020 rescue of a kidnapped infant through swift response by law enforcement and the issuance of an AMBER Alert. Read about the Pennsylvania CART program’s work to strengthen operational readiness through the use of comprehensive tabletop exercises, and meet Montana’s AMBER Alert Coordinator Brian Frost, who works tirelessly to stay ahead of the curve in his state’s missing child recovery efforts. The issue also brings you important updates on AMBER Alert in Indian Country, as well as state and international briefs.

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AMBER Advocate – Issue 3 2020

In this third issue of the AMBER Advocate features the powerful, positive impacts of Florida’s Annual Missing Children’s Day event; highlights the joint efforts of Idaho and California to rescue a human trafficking victim; and brings you important updates on AMBER Alert and other endangered missing persons efforts across the US and internationally.

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AMBER Advocate – Issue 2 2020

The second 2020 issue of the AMBER Advocate features a closer look at the AMBER Alert Training and Technical Assistance Program’s capacities in bringing a customized learning and collaboration experience to your jurisdiction or community, shares a front lines example of the power of AMBER Alerts as evidence through rapid citizen response to assist in a Massachusetts child abduction case, and spotlights the multi-faceted experience and tireless dedication of Tennessee’s AMBER Alert Coordinator.

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AMBER Advocate – Issue 1 2020

The first 2020 issue of the AMBER Advocate features the Family Roundtable program and its important and lasting impacts in supporting families and survivors of abduction and exploitation, brings you to the front lines of a dramatic rescue in Idaho resulting from a successful AMBER Alert, and introduces you to the South Dakota AMBER Alert Coordinator who has served in law enforcement and child protection work for more than 30 years!

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AMBER Advocate – Issue 4 2019

The latest issue of The AMBER Advocate features a warrior mom, a new face of the AMBER Alert network, On the Front Lines from Minnesota, AMBER Alert international updates and more.

AMBER Advocate – Issue 3 2019

The latest issue of The AMBER Advocate features an unwelcome alliance, a new face of the AMBER Alert network, AMBER Alert in Indian Country updates, AMBER Alert international updates and more.

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AMBER Advocate – Issue 2 2019

The latest issue of The AMBER Advocate features Learning Lessons from AMBER Alerts, two new faces of the AMBER Alert network, digging deep to save a toddler in Houston and news from around the world.

AMBER Advocate – Issue I 2019

The latest issue of The AMBER Advocate features Learning Lessons from AMBER Alerts, two new faces of the AMBER Alert network, digging deep to save a toddler in Houston and news from around the world.

AMBER Advocate – Issue IV 2018

The latest issue of The AMBER Advocate features Training First Responders, meet another AMBER Alert partner, and how an Ohio AMBER Alert brought a child home safely.

AMBER Advocate – Fall 2018

The latest issue of The AMBER Advocate features the new Ashlynne Mike AMBER Alert in Indian Country Act passage, two more AMBER Alert partner features, and how a Colorado AMBER Alert brought a child home safely.

AMBER Advocate – Summer 2018

The latest issue of The AMBER Advocate is now out featuring full coverage of the 2018 National AMBER Alert Symposium, 2018 National Missing Childrens Day, plus, a Washington AMBER Alert brings a child home safely.

AMBER Advocate – Spring 2018

The Spring 2018 issue of the AMBER Advocate is now online featuring the the future of child protection. Meet another outstanding AMBER Alert Coordinator, plus, an Idaho AMBER Alert brings a child home safely.

AMBER Advocate – Fall 2017

In this issue we learn about the case of Ashlynne Mike and consider the words of her mother as she endured with strength the court hearing and sentencing of Ashlynne’s killer. We also meet the AMBER Alert Coordinators from Louisiana and Montana, and read about a September 2017 AMBER Alert case in Florida which resulted in the perpetrator being identified within just a few hours and the safe recovery of the child.

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AMBER Advocate – Summer 2017

In this issue we hear from Patty Wetterling, are treated to a Native American dance for all the missing children, explore and AMBER Alert case from the Front Lines in Tennessee and Georgia, go International and meet a couple of our fellow AMBER Alert partners.

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AMBER Advocate – Spring 2017

This issue of The AMBER Advocate deals with the question of why and AMBER Alert may never be issued. Plus, meet more AMBER Alert partners and see the action from the Front Lines

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AMBER Advocate – Winter 2016

In This Issue: A recap of the 2016 Tribal Symposium featuring comments from Cindy McCain; plus, a look at how AMBER Alert is expanding into Mexico, and interstate cooperation brings a child home safely Download the full issue (PDF) 2016 Tribal Symposium Recap The Tribal Child Protection Leadership Forum and Symposium began with a traditional […]