Contact:
Justin Worsley
917.746.8299 * jworsley@napnap.org
NAPNAP Partners for Vulnerable Youth Launches with Goal to Improve Health of Vulnerable Children Through Support, Resources of Partners
Alliance for Care Coordination of Children in Human Trafficking Unites Array of Stakeholders to End Labor, Sex Trafficking of Youth
New York, Nov. 9, 2017 - NAPNAP Partners for Vulnerable Youth launched today as a new initiative that will focus on recruiting and leveraging the expertise of pediatric nurse practitioners, their healthcare colleagues and other partners to improve the health and wellness of specific segments of vulnerable children in the U.S. NAPNAP Partners for Vulnerable Youth (NAPNAP Partners or NPVY) was founded by the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP) as a charitable organization dedicated to improving the lives of infants, children, adolescents and young adults.
“Pediatric nurse practitioners (PNPs) have a unique ability to impact the lives of children who need the most help in order to thrive physically and mentally,” said Tresa Zielinski, DNP, RN, APN-NP, CPNP-PC, president of NAPNAP Partners. “PNPs and our fellow pediatric-focused advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) focus on the wellness of the whole child and his or her family and caregivers. We are experts in coordinating with healthcare and other professionals the many aspects of child wellness, whether physical or mental. We work on the front lines to ensure optimal child health in primary, acute and specialty care settings.”
NAPNAP Partners’ first focused campaign is the Alliance for Care Coordination of Children in Human Trafficking (the Alliance). The goals of the Alliance are to improve awareness among pediatric APRNs and other healthcare providers so child trafficking victims can be identified much earlier. An estimated 87 percent of rescued trafficking victims had at least one encounter with a healthcare provider before identification. Early identification as a human trafficking victim can be difficult because injuries may appear to be from abuse, maltreatment and neglect. The majority of pediatric healthcare providers are unable to recognize human trafficking victims, and opportunities are missed for referral, rescue and improved health outcomes.
Additionally, the Alliance will leverage the resources of its growing list of partners to better disseminate existing prevention programs directly to children. “There is a misconception that child labor and sex trafficking only happen in economically distressed areas and families,” said Jessica Peck, DNP, RN, MSN, CPNP-PC, CNE, CNL, chair of the Alliance and a NAPNAP Partners board member. “In fact, victims are recruited from all socioeconomic levels. We must place a priority on educating adolescents and younger children on how pimps and recruiters use social media and other digital methods to lure them into being trafficked.”
NAPNAP Partners identified an education gap on human trafficking among pediatric healthcare providers. Additionally, there are no standardized screening tools or clinical best practices, and health outcomes are very difficult to determine. NAPNAP Partners will work with its partners to develop common tools for pediatric healthcare providers and sites. “We intend on leveraging the respect of nurses as ‘the most trusted profession’ to directly reduce child trafficking in the U.S.,” said Cate Brennan, MBA, CAE, vice president. “We want all pediatric healthcare providers to be well educated on child trafficking so they will take that knowledge of prevention and early identification to local schools, community centers and faith-based groups.” While many excellent resources exist, most of the previous and current efforts have focused on law enforcement and adult victim services. The Alliance seeks to extend those successes with an increased focus on the pediatric providers and sites.
Founding NAPNAP Partners for Vulnerable Youth are: National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP), American Academy of Pediatrics, American Association of Nurse Practitioners, American Nurses Association, Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses, Children’s Hospital Association, Emergency Nurses Association, National Association of School Nurses, National Student Nurses’ Association, Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health and Partnership for Male Youth.
NAPNAP Partners and the efforts of the Alliance will be funded by foundations, grants and philanthropical organizations. Start-up funds were provided by NAPNAP. For more information, please visit NAPNAPpartners.org or contact info@napnappartners.org.
About NAPNAP Partners for Vulnerable Youth:
NAPNAP Partners for Vulnerable Youth believes that “partners” is both a noun and a verb. It is dedicated to the health and well-being of all children but especially the most vulnerable children in the U.S. Partners include pediatric nurse practitioners, fellow pediatric-focused advanced practice registered nurses (APRN)and nurses, pediatricians, child health and wellness specialists, generous philanthropists, foundations and organizations, dedicated caregivers and other stakeholders. NAPNAP Partners feels a special responsibility to lead a broad array of colleagues and partners in developing and delivering focused initiatives to improve the lives of the most vulnerable infants, children, adolescents and young adults in the U.S. The needs of these children are as different as their unique challenges. NAPNAP Partners is a 501(c)(3) organization, and was founded by the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP).
NAPNAPpartners.org * (917) 746-8305 * info@napnappartners.org. 5 Hanover Square, Ste. 1401, New York, NY 10004