RAPID CITY - State officials will be in Rapid City this weekend encouraging parents to register their kids in a comprehensive child identification program.

SDCHIP representatives will be at the Youth & Family Services Kid's Fair at Rushmore Plaza Civic Center Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

The South Dakota Child Identification Program generates packages of various identifying items of children for parents or guardians. The information includes dental impressions, a DNA cheek swab, a digital still photo, fingerprints and a video image interview.

SDCHIP is part of MASONICHIP, an initiative of the Masons.

Attorney General Marty Jackley says the identifying materials are returned to the child's family to be kept as an identification kit in the event that a child becomes missing.

The program is offered to the public at no charge.

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