Identification and Benefits: Explanations of How the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Can Help Foreign-Born Trafficking Victims
Sarah Ladd, Amy LaGesse, Elizabeth Ranade-Janis & Kristen Stopher | September 10 | 1:30 - 2:30 PM | Room Ingman
In July 2014, the State of Ohio’s Office of Criminal Justice Services received a grant from the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to increase the identification of foreign-born trafficking victims in Ohio. The program that Ohio established is executed through state and local partners and has led to successful identification of previously hidden populations of trafficking victims. Beyond awareness, though, this panel of presenters has have been working with HHS to provide services for trafficking victims, and have learned to navigate the seemingly complex channels to accessing these services. The presentation will give both an overview of the role of HHS in anti-trafficking work among foreign born populations and will also provide concrete examples of initiatives to improve identification and services for foreign trafficking victims in Ohio.
Objectives:
1) To explain the role of the US Department of Health and Human Services in both identifying and serving foreign-born victims of human trafficking.
2) To illustrate Ohio’s initiative to identify foreign-born trafficking victims through the grant from the US Department of Health and Human Services, including the approach, partners, and entities trained through the grant.
3) To explain the specific efforts and priorities in identifying foreign born trafficking victims in northwest Ohio through the Lucas County Human Trafficking Coalition and its local outreach partners.
To demonstrate outcomes to date and the importance of raising awareness and collaboration with existing federal programs to increase the protections for potential trafficking victims.