The goal of the proposed program is to expand emergency response (ER) services to survivors of human trafficking in LOS angeles county in california by: delivering ER hotline services by handling at…

The Coalition To Abolish Slavery & Trafficking (CAST) was awarded a $950,000 Project Grant by the Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs Victims of Crime under the Services for Trafficking Victims program (CFDA 16.320). The grant will support CAST in expanding emergency response services to survivors of human trafficking in Los Angeles County, California from October 1, 2022 to September 30, 2025.

Specifically, CAST will deliver emergency hotline services by handling at least 6,000 calls and providing emergency victim services to at least 180 patients in health care settings. CAST will also work to train law enforcement, local service providers, and community and faith-based organizations to identify and refer trafficking victims for services. CAST will refer victims to services including client coordination, safety/wellbeing support, housing assistance, health services, education/employment assistance, advocacy, and legal aid. The grant aims to develop and strengthen victim service programs for survivors of trafficking consistent with the Services for Victims of Trafficking program goals.

The goal of the proposed program is to expand emergency response (ER) services to survivors of human trafficking in LOS angeles county in california by: delivering ER hotline services by handling at least 6,000 hotline calls and responding as needed; and providing emergency victim services to at least 180 patients in health care settings; as well as working in collaboration with and training federal, state, and local law enforcement, local service providers (including hospitals), and community- and faith-based organizations to ensure trafficking victims are identified and referred for appropriate services; and referring victims to other essential services. Services to be delivered include client coordination, safety and wellbeing, material assistance, reunification and repatriation; housing assistance; health-related services; education/employment assistance; support services; advocacy and legal assistance. Cast has profound experience working with diverse populations of trafficking victims, promoting racial equity, and contributing to greater access to services for communities that have been historically underserved, marginalized, and adversely affected by inequality. Cast also offers extensive training to its staff on delivering services with the goal of racial equity and builds partnerships with grassroots organizations in communities of color to increase the rate of victim identification among them.