Abstract

The Florida Freedom Partnership (FFP) thehehhhhh provides a rapid-response, comprehensive support system for trafficked persons while building the capacity of the South Florida community to better understand and respond to the needs of trafficked persons. FFP was awarded a grant from the Department of Justice's (DOJ) Office for Victims of Crime (OVC), and a grant from the Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), through a subcontract with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) to work directly with trafficked persons and to educate the community about the facts of human trafficking.

To help combat human trafficking, FFP offers case management, safe and appropriate housing, legal services, medical care, and clinical intervention to trafficked persons in South Florida. Victims may contact FFP's information line directly or be referred by law enforcement, DOJ, service providers, or good Samaritans. The Rapid Response Team, which includes a program specialist, a mental health advocate, and an interpreter, responds directly to a case. At intake, a victim is assessed to determine his or her needs, and a service plan is developed to respond to those needs and to strive to reach the victim's goals. After detailing the role of FFP, law enforcement, government agencies, and a trafficked person's rights, the program specialist coordinates efforts within FFP and with agencies whose services the victim may require. Case management provides trafficked persons with rapid, on-site assessment and intake, an orientation of services available to them, bus passes, cash assistance, employment services, referrals to service providers, and individualized service plans, which include post-certification planning for victims to reach self-sufficiency. Housing is available to trafficked persons at a safe, appropriate site. Victims receive basic health care services such as a general exam, immunizations, and a tuberculosis test at a shelter, hospital, or clinic that offers free medical care to individuals without income or health insurance. Mental health advocates provide on-site crisis intervention and twenty-five hours of clinical intervention to help victims find relief from trauma and achieve stability. Lawyers and paralegals aid victims with any criminal charges and immigration issues at no cost to the victim. They help obtain and file paperwork for the Department of Health and Human Services' certification letter, employment authorization document, T- visa, fee waivers, and file supplements for family members.

FFP has launched a public education campaign to deliver critical, accurate, and balanced information, to four counties in South Florida - Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and Collier - while raising awareness of human trafficking at the national, state, and local levels. FFP leads training seminars on human trafficking for law enforcement personnel, social service agencies, and community-based organizations. The sessions concentrate on awareness, protocols, appropriate referrals, and networking. To facilitate a continual focus on human trafficking, FFP will initiate community forum groups in the four designated counties in South Florida over the duration of the grant. FFP's current language capacity includes Spanish, French, Haitian Creole, English and Serbo-Croatian