Comprehensive Services to Minor Victims of Human Trafficking in Western North Dakota

Under the FY 2018 Integrated Services for Minor Victims of Trafficking program, all grantees are required to serve all minor victims (boys and girls under age 18) of all forms of human trafficking (sex and labor). The grantee will work with OVC Program Managers and Training and Technical Assistance Providers to ensure all victims are served. Youthworks, a nonprofit agency with 30 years’ experience providing youth services in North Dakota, will provide a comprehensive array of services to minor victims of human trafficking. Minor victims of trafficking often present with complex trauma, often born from polyvictimization, including: physical, sexual, and emotional abuse; neglect; and interpersonal violence. As such, their service needs are great and require a coordinated response and intensive case management that is developmentally appropriate and trauma-informed. This project will fund the addition of a Human Trafficking Specialist (HTS) responsible for implementation of the comprehensive service model, and providing intensive case management to minor victims of trafficking involved with these services. This project will serve 18 required service areas, with assistance from three partner agencies. The HTS will also participate in local and regional multidisciplinary teams, offer human trafficking training to interested parties, and collect pertinent data regarding program outcomes. CA/NCF