U.S. Department of Justice: Comprehensive Services for Victims of All Forms of Human Trafficking

The Comprehensive Services for Victims of All Forms of Human Trafficking program works to enhance the quality and quantity of services available to assist victims of human trafficking in achieving their goals, which may include increased autonomy and self-sufficiency, and increased feelings of safety and well-being. The program’s primary objectives are to enhance interagency collaboration and the coordinated community response to victims of human trafficking, and to provide high-quality services that address the individual needs of trafficking victims.

Grantees will engage in all of the following activities in order to meet program goals and objectives:

• Provide comprehensive services for victims of all forms of human trafficking, either in-house or through community partnerships
• Work in collaboration with federal, state, and local law enforcement, local service providers, and community- and faith-based organizations to develop comprehensive response protocols to ensure that trafficking victims are identified and referred for appropriate services
• Conduct training and public awareness activities for professionals and community members in order to improve their knowledge of human trafficking and their ability to identify and respond to victims
• Conduct data collection and evaluation activities to determine if the program is meeting stated goals and objectives

Funds are intended primarily to support the cost of direct services that promote victim safety and stability in the short-term aftermath of victim identification, leading to the goal of autonomy and economic self-sufficiency. There are no set time limits on services, and supports provided for the provision of ongoing case management when there are no other specialized programs to provide case management services; however, funds are not intended to provide long-term financial support to trafficking victims. All services are to be implemented in coordination with other existing community resources and initiatives.

Adult victims of human trafficking are required to cooperate with reasonable requests from law enforcement on the investigation or prosecution of trafficking in persons. This guidance is currently being reviewed and may be revised in the future. Exceptions will be considered on a case-by-case basis for adult victims who would be negatively impacted or re-traumatized by this requirement. Minors—persons under the age of 18—are not required to assist law enforcement; however, should be encouraged to do so, if possible.

Amount: A total of $10,000,000 is available to award up 13 cooperative agreements of up to $750,000 each. The project period is for three years. A 25 percent non-federal match of the total project costs is required.

Eligibility: States; units of local government; federally recognized Indian tribal governments; and nonprofit, nongovernmental organizations (including tribal nonprofits). A unit of local government is defined as any city, county, township, town, borough, parish, village, or other general purpose political subdivision of a state, territory, or federally recognized Indian tribal government. Organizations with a demonstrated history of providing victim assistance, social services, legal services, shelter, or mental health services for victims of human trafficking are eligible to apply.

Link: http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=290822

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