Services to Victims of a Severe Form of Trafficking

The Services to Victims of a Severe Form of Trafficking program, administered by the Office on Trafficking in Persons (OTIP) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) funds a coordinated set of initiatives designed to support fore

The following components are funded under this program: Trafficking Victim Assistance Program (TVAP) & Aspire: Child Trafficking Victim Assistance Program Lighthouse: Services, Outreach, and Awareness for Labor Trafficking SOAR to Health and Wellness National Human Trafficking Hotline (NHTH) Each funding opportunity contributes to the overarching goal of helping victims of trafficking rebuild their lives and access the support they need to thrive.

NOFOs under this program are unrestricted and open to any of the following entities; city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state controlled institutions of higher education; Native American tribal governments (federally recognized); public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments); nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS other than institutions of higher education; nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status with the IRS other than institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses.

These discretionary awards will benefit foreign national victims of human trafficking and those vulnerable to trafficking as well as health care and social service agencies working with vulnerable populations, other interested persons, and the general public.

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) leads HHS's efforts to combat human trafficking and modern forms of slavery by administering anti-trafficking programs through grants and contracts and collaborating with federal, state, tribal, and local government and non-government organizations. OTIP is responsible for the overall leadership of anti-trafficking programs and services under the purview of ACF, including, but not limited to implementing provisions of relevant federal legislation and advising the Assistant Secretary in the development of anti-trafficking strategies, policies, and programs. The TVPA of 2000, as amended, and subsequent reauthorizations authorize HHS to assist foreign national and domestic (United States citizen and lawful permanent resident) victims of human trafficking through a number of efforts including screening and identifying victims; providing victims benefits and services; conducting research; training for the identification of trafficking survivors; and raising awareness and preventing human trafficking. Funds may be used only for the purpose set forth in the NOFOs. NHTH funding may be used to support the operation of a dedicated, toll-free, 24-hour, seven days a week, every day of the year U.S. national telephone and online communication system staffed by trained and experienced human trafficking advocates that provide services and assistance to victims of severe forms of labor and sex trafficking in persons. TVAP funding may be used to fund time-limited comprehensive case management services on a per capita basis to foreign national victims of a severe form of trafficking in persons and potential victims of trafficking seeking the Health and Human Services (HHS) certification so they can re-establish their ability to live independently. Aspire funding may be used to fund time-limited comprehensive case management services on a per capita basis to foreign national children and youth victims of a severe form of trafficking in persons and potential victims of trafficking seeking the HHS certification so they can re-establish their ability to live independently. Lighthouse funding may be used to: 1) provide comprehensive, culturally responsive, and linguistically appropriate case management and victim assistance to foreign national adults who have experienced labor trafficking; 2) Conduct outreach to increase identification of foreign national adults who have experienced labor trafficking; and 3) Conduct public awareness activities for the local community and organizations that may encounter individuals who have experienced labor trafficking. SOAR funds may be used to implement SOAR trainings and capacity building to identify, treat, and respond to patients or clients who have experienced severe forms of human trafficking as defined by the TVPA of 2000, as amended, among their patient or client population.

No funds made available through NHTH may be used to promote, support, or advocate the legalization or practice of prostitution. Nothing in the preceding sentence shall be construed to preclude assistance designed to promote the purposes of the TVPA by ameliorating the suffering of, or health risks to, victims while they are being trafficked or after they are out of the situation that resulted from such victims being trafficked. No funds may be paid for international travel.

Funds are generally made available for 3-year or 5-year project periods with funding on an annual basis. Starting in FY21, the NHTH was made available for a 5-year project period. Starting in FY22, TVAP, Aspire, and SOAR were made available for a 5-year project period. In FY 22, Lighthouse was made available for a 3-year project period. In the first year of the project, awards will be awarded on a competitive basis. Applications will be considered on a noncompetitive basis for subsequent years until the conclusion of the project period subject to availability of funds, satisfactory progress of the recipient, and a determination that continued funding would be in the best interest of the Federal Government.

The criteria for selecting proposals will be published in the NOFOs.

Each application will be screened to determine whether it meets any of the disqualifying factors: missing the application deadline, required electronic submission or waiver requested and approved, or exceeding the Award Ceiling. Disqualified applications are considered to be "non-responsive" and are excluded from the competitive review process. Applications competing for financial assistance will be reviewed and evaluated by objective review panels. Each panel is composed of experts with knowledge and experience in the area under review. Generally, review panels include three reviewers and one chairperson. Results of the competitive objective review are taken into consideration by ACF in the selection of projects for funding; however, objective review scores and rankings are not binding. Scores and rankings are only one element used in the award decision-making process. ACF reserves the right to consider preferences to fund organizations serving emerging, unserved, or under-served populations, including those populations located in pockets of poverty. In addition, ACF reserves the right to evaluate applications in the larger context of the overall portfolio by considering geographic distribution of federal funds (e.g. ensuring coverage of states, counties, or service areas) in its pre-award decisions. ACF may elect not to fund applicants with management or financial problems that would indicate an inability to successfully complete the proposed project. In addition, ACF may elect to not allow a prime recipient to subaward if there is any indication that they are unable to properly monitor and manage subrecipients. Applications may be funded in whole or in part. Successful applicants may be funded at an amount lower than requested.

Contact the Administration for Children and Families, Office of Grants Management or review the NOFO, as appropriate, for application deadlines.

Awards are generally made for 3-year or 5-year project periods. Non-competing continuations will be issued based on availability of funds, satisfactory progress, compliance with award terms and conditions and a determination that continuation funding is in the best interest of the federal government.

There is no appeal process for unsuccessful applicants. For existing recipients, appeals in regards to disputes may take place in accordance with 45 CFR Part 16, subject to the limitations of the Appendix A.