Wisconsin DOJ distributing 975,000 Child ID kits for parents

MADISON, Wis. (CBS 58) -- More than 800,000 children are reported missing in the United States every year, and now the State Department of Justice (DOJ) hopes a new tool can help parents and police better locate the kids. 

The DOJ announced Tuesday, May 17, it's distributing 975,000 national Child ID kits across Wisconsin. 

The kits will be given to students in grades K-12. They're free and include ways for parents to store valuable information about their child such as fingerprints, descriptions, and other information.

The kits are optional to use but officials say they can be helpful if a child disappears. 

"What happens to that information is that it can be stored at home so if people have any privacy concerns they can feel comfortable that the information that they're getting about their kids can be kept at home. But in the tragic event that a child goes missing this information can be provided to law enforcement. To help locate a missing person," said Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul. 

The DOJ says parents can expect to receive the free and optional kits soon.