Through this award, mountain comprehensive care center (mccc) will build internal capacity to serve trafficking victims in the big sandy region of central appalachia kentucky

The Department of Justice's Office of Justice Programs, through the Services for Trafficking Victims program (CFDA 16.320), awarded a $440,000 Project Grant to Mountain Comprehensive Care Center (MCCC), a non-profit organization in Prestonsburg, Kentucky. The grant will enable MCCC to build internal capacity to serve trafficking victims in the Big Sandy region of central Appalachia. Key activities include training MCCC staff and local law enforcement to recognize trafficking and connect victims to services, leveraging MCCC's existing programs to enhance community collaboration and victim support, and expanding access to healthcare services for trafficking survivors. The grant will be executed over a 3-year period from October 2024 to September 2027.

Additionally, mccc will train internal and new hire staff on engaging with and supporting trafficking victims, and, through its community-based partnerships, law enforcement and other organizations, grow the safety net of providers who are engaged in providing inclusive, supportive and complementary programming. Mccc will engage its staff in train-the-trainer programming that will support the training of law enforcement and mccc staff to recognize trafficking and connect victims to the services they need. Mccc will also leverage its organizational programming, including that of the healing place and street outreach programs, to enhance collaboration of community organizations and build mcccs capacity to support victims and link them to healthcare services.