In California alone, a child is reported missing about every 5 minutes equating to more than 100,000 reports taken each year. To help build awareness, this annual poster contest sponsored by the U.S. Department of Justice (U.S. DOJ) invites all 5th graders across the nation to participate.  

The U.S. DOJ sponsors this national poster contest to raise awareness and bring attention to children who have been recovered, as well as the children who are still missing. The winner of the national contest, along with his or her teacher and parents/guardians, are flown to Washington DC to attend the National Missing Children’s Day Ceremony in May.
 
The winner at the California state level will be receiving a pizza party for themselves and their 5th grade class!

Sample lesson plans and materials for educators are available on-line at: https://ncjtc.fvtc.edu/mcd
 
To participate in the contest, students must: 

- Be in the 5th grade
- Complete a poster size 8 ½ x 14 inches
- Include the phrase “Bringing Our Missing Children Home” somewhere on the poster
- Use materials such as: crayons, markers, paint, pencils, etc.
- Handcraft the poster’s design.  Digitally produced images, collages, cut-outs, and stamping are not eligible
- Submit the poster along with a completed Contest Application and Release and Consent Form

Entries must be postmarked by February 9, 2024

You can find the full application and release form here.

Send the poster and the completed application to:

California Department of Justice
Missing Children Clearinghouse
ATTN: MUPS – Kilgore Bldg.
4949 Broadway
Sacramento, CA 95820
 
Each state’s Missing Children Clearinghouse will select a winner and submit the winning state poster to the U.S. DOJ for final judging.
 
If you have any questions or need additional information, please send an email to MUPS.CAPosterContest@doj.ca.gov.