Masonic Child Identification Programs (CHIP)

Masonic Child Identification Programs (CHIP) are a charitable initiative by North American Freemasonry lodges to aid in the identification and recovery of missing children. CHIP programs are supported monetarily at the Grand Lodge level, and are staffed by volunteers from subordinate lodges as well as law enforcement and dental professionals.

The CHIP programs allow parents the opportunity to create a kit of identifying materials for their child, free of charge. The kit contains a fingerprint card, a physical description, a video, computer disk, or DVD of the child, a dental imprint, and a DNA sample. The purpose of the kit is to provide critical information to the public and to law enforcement in the event that a child goes missing. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children has described the system as "one of the most comprehensive child recovery and identification programs in the nation".

The videotape or disk, besides capturing appearance and voice, is tailored toward the child's age group, and can assist in finding children who, for example, might be injured and in their favorite hiding place, or over at a friend's house.

CHIP programs

 * California
 * Connecticut
 * Georgia
 * Illinois
 * Indiana
 * Massachusetts
 * Maryland
 * Maine
 * Michigan
 * Missouri
 * Nebraska
 * New Jersey
 * New York
 * Pennsylvania
 * Rhode Island