| AMECO Membership
         AMECO, The Association of 
        Missing and Exploited Childrens Organizations, is a membership 
        organization founded in 1994.  AMECO supports the endeavors of the 
        membership on behalf of missing and exploited children, their families, 
        and the community at large. The activities of AMECO and its member 
        agencies are strictly non-commercial and not-for-profit. Services are 
        free of charge. 
        The Nonprofit 
        Organizations (NPOs) listed in this roster are based in the US and 
        Canada and provide a wide range of services for missing and exploited 
        children. They have met the following criteria required for AMECO 
        certification as a reputable service provider:  
        1.    
        Offer programs and services dealing with issues of missing and exploited 
        children. 
        2.    Have been in operation as a tax-exempt non-profit 
        organization (US IRS 501 C (3), or its equivalent in the applicant's 
        country) for at least two years under the same incorporated name. 
         3.  Provide at least three letters of recommendation or commendation 
        relating to the operation of the applicant. At least one letter must be 
        from a law enforcement agency commending the organization for actions; 
        this does not include events such as fingerprinting, health fairs, etc. 
         4.  Submit a US IRS Form 990 
              a.  Although an organization may not be required by the IRS to 
        file a Form 990, it must complete one for AMECO membership. A letter 
        should accompany the Form 990 explaining that the organization is not 
        required to file an IRS report, and this report was completed to comply 
        with the AMECO certification application requirements. 
               b.  Organizations in countries other than the United States will 
        submit a copy of the tax/financial statements required by their 
        respective governments. 
                   (1)   Submit a copy of papers of incorporation and 
        the organization's by-laws. 
                   (2)  Submit an informational brochure, annual report, 
        proof of registration to solicit at home, list of other states in which 
        the organization is registered, and educational handouts. 
         
        For additional information on AMECO and its member agencies, please 
        contact: 
        
          Barbara Smith, Ph.D. 
          Executive Director 
          AMECO 
          
          [email protected] 
          Address: P.O. Box 130 
          Bronxville, N.Y. 10708 
          Telephone and fax: 914-667-7599 
          Toll-Free: 866-398-2601 
         
        AMECO is partially 
        funded by the  
        Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention 
        Taken from: A Referral Guide Funded by OJJDP, November 2002 
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