Ayuda's OVC (FY) 19 Specialized Services for Victims of Human Trafficking Grant

The goal of the FY 2019 Direct Services to Support Victims of Human Trafficking Program is to enhance the quality and quantity of services available to victims of human trafficking, as defined by the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) of 2000, as amended. Funding through this program supports specialized services to victims of sex and labor trafficking, as well as for efforts to increase the capacity of communities to respond to human trafficking through the development of interagency partnerships, professional training, and public awareness activities over a three-year project period. This award made to Ayuda is funded under Purpose Area 2 which is designed to provide legal services, mental health services, and case management to victims of human trafficking in Maryland. Ayuda is a leading source of multilingual legal and social services for low-income immigrants. Maryland is a hub for human trafficking due to a mix of characteristics unique to the region including: high immigrant populations; a large number of foreign diplomats who employ immigrant domestic staff; location along the I-95 travel corridor; and a prevalent service industry with conditions conducive to labor trafficking. Under this project, Ayuda will provide legal advice and counsel for up to 75 immigrant victims of human trafficking; provide legal representation to immigrant victims and their derivative beneficiaries in 120 matters; provide comprehensive case management services to 36 victims of trafficking; provide individualized mental health services to 24 trafficking victims; provide peer support groups for 40 trafficking victims; provide 15 training and educational presentations relating to human trafficking; conduct 9 legal trainings for pro bono attorneys and legal volunteers addressing remedies for trafficking victims; and assess program effectiveness. CA/NCF