The Alliance for Children in Trafficking (ACT) and NAPNAP Partners for Vulnerable Youth are pleased to provide the following resources for healthcare providers seeking guidance on best practices and protocols. The below resources have been gathered and vetted from nationally known experts and reputable sources. The goal is to provide you a starting point for implementing your own internal protocols and procedures. The resources are appropriate for hospitals, outpatient clinics, urgent care, convenient care, independent primary care offices and other settings. Resources focus on the prevention, identification and referral of trafficking victims. Our sincere thanks to the ACT Workgroup volunteers for their work.
To submit a reference for consideration for this page, please email info@napnappartners.org.
Core Competencies in Human Trafficking
The Department of Health and Human Services' Office on Trafficking in Persons (OTIP) released its new Core Competencies for Human Trafficking Response in Health Care and Behavioral Health Systems resource. NAPNAP Partners was pleased to have participated in the development and review of this critical publication.
These core competencies highlight skill sets for health care professionals to dentify, respond to and serve individuals who have experienced or are at risk of forced labor and exual exploitation.
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TeamPeds Talks Podcast Episodes
Child Trafficking in Foster Care - Learn more about sex trafficking in foster care with special guests Jessica Peck,DNP, APRN, CPNP-PC, CNE, CNL, FAANP, FAAN and Jason Spees, MSN, MaOM, APRN, L.Ac., FNP-C, Dipl. Ac. & C.H. Hosted by Dr. Brigit VanGraafeiland and Tracy Halasz.
Responding to Impacts of Social Isolation on Child Abuse and Trafficking - Listen to a discussion between Dr. Jessica Peck and Dr. Joradan Greenbaum, director for the International Center for Missing and Exploited Children, on the increased risk for child abuse among socially isolated children and ways providers can effectively identify and respond to victimization.
NAPNAP Partners and the Alliance for Children in Trafficking - In this episode, Dr. Jessica Peck is joined by Dr. Tresa Zielinski. Listen as they discuss child trafficking and Partner's efforts in prevention.
- Provider Education
- Screening Tools and Protocols
- Best Practices
- National and State Hotlines and Services
- Provider Resources
- Resources in School Settings for Educators, Youth, Teachers, Parents
- Prevention and Awareness
- Advocacy and Research
Provider Education Resources from NAPNAP Partners for Vulnerable Youth:
A comprehensive, on-demand continuing education course on child trafficking for nurse practitioners and nurses.
The Alliance for Children in Trafficking, in conjunction with the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners, has developed three continuing education modules for healthcare providers who interact with child and teen victims and potential victims of human trafficking. Each course offers .5-1.0 CE contact hours. All courses are currently available on PedsCESM
ACT Advocates Training Program
Stop child trafficking in your community by becoming an ACT Advocate. After you complete the ACT Advocates training course, 3-PARRT and other elements of our training curriculum, you will receive a certificate of recognition as a trained expert who can then deliver this unique content to healthcare professionals in your community. You can learn about the program and its requirements through our online commitment form.
Other Provider Education Resources:
Department of Homeland Security Blue Campaign - The Blue Campaign is the unified voice for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s efforts to combat human trafficking. Its resources include training videos for providers and materials that providers can share with the public.
HEAL Trafficking - HEAL Trafficking is a united group of interdisciplinary professionals dedicated to ending human trafficking and supporting survivors. They provide a toolkit to help professionals working in healthcare settings develop a protocol to respond to potential human trafficking victims who present to their facility.
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network - In support of Human Trafficking Awareness Month, the National Child Traumatic Stress Network offers resources to help educate child welfare professionals, families/caregivers, healthcare providers, justice system professionals, policy makers and school personnel on the signs of trafficking and services for human trafficking victims and survivors.
SOAR to Health and Wellness Training - SOAR (Stop, Observe, Ask, Respond) training, three-hour course provided via webinar or in-person training, equips professionals with skills to identify and respond to the complex needs of individuals who have experienced trafficking and understand the root causes that make individuals, families and communities vulnerable to trafficking.
Simulation Based Education - The HEAL Subcommittee on Simulation Education promotes the inclussion of simulation as a tool for teaching health care providers to identify, treat adn refer victims of human trafficking.
Screen for possible child commercial sexual exploitation/sex trafficking (from Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta)
A Short Screening Tool to Identify Victims of Child Sex Trafficking in the Healthcare Setting (from Greenbaum, V. J., Dodd, M., & McCracken, C.)
PEARR Tool - Trauma informed approach to victim assistance in health care settings (from CommonSpirit Health)
Clinical Practice Guidelines for Assessment and Treatment of Potential Victims of Child Sex Trafficking and Commercial Sexual Exploitation (from Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta)
Institute on Healthcare and Human Trafficking - Resource for medical and behavioral health professionals (from Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta)
Framework for a Human Trafficking Protocol in Healthcare Settings - Step by step guide for recommended actions once potential HT victim is identified (from National Human Trafficking Hotline)
A Trauma Lens for Systems Change - Stanford Social Innovation Review
National and State Hotlines and Services
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) - NCMEC works to help find missing children, reduce child sexual exploitation and prevent victimization. Available resources include: a 24-hour help line, victim and family support, and professional training and resources. 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678)
National Human Trafficking Hotline - The National Human Trafficking Hotline serves victims and survivors of human trafficking and the anti-trafficking community in the United States. The toll-free hotline is available to answer calls from anywhere in the country, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year in more than 200 languages. 1-888-373-7888
Polaris Project - Polaris Project provides human trafficking victims and survivors with critical support to help and stay safe. Services include the National Human Trafficking Hotline and BeFree Textline, as well as national and global directories of anti-trafficking organizations and service providers.
domesticshelters.org - Search tool that allows anyone in the U.S. or Canada to find nearby domestic violence programs and shelters.
State Hotlines and Services - Find trafficking hotlines and resources to help victims in your state.
ICD-10 Codes on Human Trafficking (from American Hospital Association)
Joint Commission Paper on Health Care Providers Recognizing Human Trafficking
Health, Education, Advocacy, Linkage (HEAL) - Literature review
Child Sex Trafficking and Commercial Sexual Exploitation - Health Care Needs of Victims (from American Academy of Pediatrics)
Evaluation of the Domestic Victims of Human Trafficking Program: Final Report - Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation, An Office of the Administration for Children and Families (Publication Date: April 15, 2021)
Human Trafficking and Health Care Providers: Legal Requirements for Reporting and Education - Jones Day (Publication Date: January 2021)
State Report Cards on Child & Youth Sex Trafficking - Shared Hope International (Updated Nov. 17, 2021)
Human Trafficking Toolkit - International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children
Resources in School Settings for Educators, Youth, Teachers, Parents
Child Builders - ChildBuilders is a non-profit organization that has been strengthening Houston since 1974. They train individuals to deliver their solutions to children and youth of greater Houston that promote healthy decision-making skills proven to prevent risky behaviors and abuse.
Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation - CAASE addresses the culture, institutions, and individuals that perpetrate, profit from, or support sexual exploitation. Our work includes prevention, policy reform, community engagement, and legal services.
Fredrick Douglass Family Initiatives - Human trafficking prevention education curriculum
Polaris - Polaris is a leader in the global fight to eradicate modern slavery. Named after the North Star that guided slaves to freedom in the U.S., Polaris systemically disrupts the human trafficking networks that rob human beings of their lives and their freedom. Their comprehensive model puts victims at the center of what they do – helping survivors restore their freedom, preventing more victims, and leveraging data and technology to pursue traffickers wherever they operate.
Office on Trafficking in Persons (OTIP) - OTIP assists individuals who have experienced trafficking and those at risk of human trafficking. Site shares services and programs to which victims and survivors can be referred.
I am Jane Doe - Film that chronicles the epic battle that several American mothers are waging on behalf of their middle-school daughters, victims of sex-trafficking on Backpage.com, the adult classifieds site that for years was part of the Village Voice.
I am Little Red - A 10-minute animated short aimed at children most at-risk for sex trafficking (e.g., foster-care, runaway, LGBTQ, homeless and adopted children), with the goal of prevention and awareness.
UN Delta 8.7 Policy Guides - Through a year-long process of convening experts, including those with lived experience and culling evidence, the UN Delta 8.7 Policy Guides have been released. HEAL Trafficking led the subgroup on health Policy and Practice.
Shared Hope International - Shared Hope International is dedicated to bringing an end to sex trafficking through a three-pronged approach – prevent, restore and bring justice. The organization grades each state on the strength of their child sex trafficking laws and advocates for stronger state and federal laws to protect victims and increase offender accountability.