Mississippi Pilot Locates 87% Of Missing Foster Youth Within 48 Hours

In a state-federal effort to locate missing foster youth and reduce the risk of human trafficking, Mississippi launched Operation Hope, a trauma-informed, multidisciplinary initiative led by law enforcement and child welfare agencies. Within the first 48 hours, 87% of the state's missing foster youth were located. State and federal officials said the goal is to develop a model that can be replicated in other states.

The effort involves the Mississippi Attorney General's Office and the Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services, in partnership with the federal Administration for Children and Families (ACF) and the U.S . . .