Enhanced Trauma Services for Survivors of Human Trafficking

Healing Action Network (HAN) proposes two tracks of services which include continuing to implement comprehensive services (including long-term trauma therapy, intensive case management, and links to housing, behavioral health, and other community services) to trafficking survivors in the St. Louis Metropolitan Area while responding to the need for survivor-specific services across the state by providing therapy via telehealth. HAN will provide trauma-informed services that promote the safety, independence, self-sufficiency, and well-being of those in the targeted Metro Area while expanding access to evidence-based trauma therapy (and other services) to those living in more rural areas of the state. In working with the statewide Missouri Coalition Against Trafficking and Exploitation (CATE, which is housed within HAN), HAN will train coalition members in identifying victims of trafficking (including survivors of labor trafficking) and providing support services while HAN therapists provide teletherapy. Project activities include expanding CATE membership to ensure all regions of the state are represented, collaborating with CATE members in identifying and serving victims (including those residing in high poverty, underserved, rural areas), and providing trauma therapy to the survivors identified by members while their organizations provide other support services (including case management and referrals to local agencies for behavioral health services and other resources). Project activities in the St. Louis area include crisis intervention and emergency shelter, safety planning, the development of Individual Recovery Plans (IRPs) with client-identified goals, intensive trauma therapy, intensive case management, peer support, and connections to substance use and legal services as well as the provision of housing assistance and other sources to meet basic needs. Targeted beneficiaries include sex and labor trafficking victims in high-poverty communities (including African Americans, Hispanics/Latinas, and other people of color and members of the LGBTQ+ communities).