Improving Outcomes for Child and Youth Victims of Human Trafficking

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Victim Services proposes to implement the Office for Victims of Crime FY23 Improving Outcomes for Child and Youth Victims of Trafficking grant project.  The purpose of this initiative is to improve the response to child and youth victims of trafficking throughout Michigan with an emphasis on Native children and youth and victims of labor trafficking. Project activities include convening a statewide multidisciplinary advisory committee to guide and inform the work of the initiative, conducting a statewide needs assessment, developing and implement awareness campaigns, and creating an implementing data collection and training plans. Expected outcomes include: 1) a better understanding of the nature and prevalence of sex and labor trafficking of children and youth in Michigan; 2) improved statewide systemic response to children and youth victims of labor and sex trafficking; 3) an anti-trafficking movement in grounded in best practice, including being empowerment based, survivor centered, culturally responsive, and trauma informed. Core project partners include Uniting Three Fires Against Violence, Michigan Victim Advocacy Network, Michigan State University, and Michigan Department of Health and Human Services’ Children’s Services Administration.  Subrecipient activities include facilitation of a statewide needs assessment to include focus groups and talking circles with key stakeholders, targeted outreach to Tribal communities to those working with populations vulnerable to labor trafficking, and consultation on all project activities.