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Search, Educate, Assure, Rescue Children
kidz-search.org
We are a Florida 501(c)3. While our web page is in formation, you can also view photos at our Facebook page: kidz-search.org
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| Tejyl Trained Assist/Therapy/SAR |
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Welcome: KIDZ-Search.org is the web page for "Search, Educate, Assure & Rescue Children".
Kidz-Search is a non-profit organization formed to prevent and/or respond to incidents of missing and lost children or otherwise medically impaired adults (i.e. Alzheimers victims).
Our mission is directed toward service (assisting in search & rescue operations); prevention education (via presentations to pre-and-elementary school children; crisis counseling (providing Critical Incident Stress Management to victims, family members and first responders).
Background & Staffing
Initially conceived in 2003, as an adjunct to his position as Employee Assistance Manager to municipal, law enforcement, airline flight crews and combat veterans, Joe "Jody" Fitzgerald began providing children, their parents and teachers insight on how to prevent children from becoming lost, and how to respond if they or loved ones went missing.
Incorporating his professional background as a crisis/trauma counselor to victims of natural and man-made disasters (Hurricane Andrew, Gulf War veterans, post-shooting trauma, terrorist bombings), Jody added a unique tool to his practice, training (Tejyl - pronounced "Tay-zhal") for three distinct tasks - personal assist, live search & rescue, and therapuetic applications in a variety of environments - disaster sites, hospitals and hospice.
"Tejyl's" name is from the Hindu name, Tejal - meaning "brightness" or "light," a name that reflects coloring and his happy disposition under the most trying conditions. Under the most difficult circumstances, Tejyl has earned the nom de guerre of, "Ambassador of Smiles."
Since 2005, "Tejyl" has participated in search and rescue efforts in Costa Rica (for Brendan Dobbins), Orlando, FL (for Jennifer Kesse, Caylee Anthony, Palatka, FL (for Hayleigh Cummings), Titusville, FL (Lottie Wise), Palm Bay, FL (Brandy Hall), and Sebastian, FL (Ms. Houlihan). Most recently, in Haiti, we provided crisis counseling and support for victims and staff of University of Miami's Project Medishare tent hospital, and United Nations staffers whose families and colleagues were directly impacted by the earthquake that devastated Haiti on January 12, 2010.
Jody has used K-9 retrievers in his counseling work since the mid-70's. A former U.S. Marine, he completed a Master's degree at Harvard University's Graduate School of Education, with a concentration in Counseling & Consulting Psychology and Human Development.
Jody applied his skills for several years with children and families, Court-referred gang members, Employee Assistance Manager for a metropolitan law enforcement agency and major commercial airline. He held a temporary appointment as a research associate with the Child Protection Team at a Southern medical school, and served a a clinical counselor with the Treatment Alternatives to Street Crime program in Miami, Florida, where he was nominated for the 1st Annual Social Worker of the Year in 1991. He served on Dade County's Citizens Advisory Board and the Mental Health Association. He holds a Commendation for bravery from the U.S. Customs Service for assistance rendered to an Agent in 2000.
Certifications include, Critical Incident Stress Management and Post-Shooting Trauma. He is a Certified Employee Assistance Professional, credentialed as a Substance Abuse Professional (NAADAC) and completed the Basic Police Chaplain's Course with International Conference of Police Chaplains. He currently serves as an Alumni Interviewer for Harvard applicants and is a voting member of the National Association for Search & Rescue. He volunteers as a Grief Counselor and serves on the advisory board of Ommani International.net. He and 'Tej', also volunteer with Childwatch of North America, "Give Kids the World Village" and the Embrace Girl Power, Inc., in Miami.
Applying our collective skills, contacts and experience, we provide a positive, practical school and community resource for preventive education, live search & rescue and critical incident management.
Please visit our Facebook page: kidz-search.org to view our photo album. If you've questions, wish to donate (tax deductible), or would just like to help, don't hesitate to contact us, either by email, phone or postal mail, at the contacts listed below:
Email: searchtheearth@aol.com
Phone: 305-812-4400
Mail: P.O. Box 5055
Kailua-Kona, HI 96745-5055
Thanks for stopping by!
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