AGENCY TESTIMONY
DYCD Assistant Commissioner outlines support for young victims of human trafficking
0:19:35
ยท
4 min
Dr. Amy Wilkerson, Assistant Commissioner for Runaway and Homeless Youth Services at DYCD, provides an overview of the department's efforts to support young victims of human trafficking and sexual exploitation. She details the types of services offered, including residential programs, drop-in centers, and street outreach, reaching over 40,000 young people annually.
- DYCD offers 753 beds for youth aged 16-20 and 60 beds for young adults 21-24, with plans to expand by 100 more beds
- In fiscal year 2024, out of 5,934 youth served, 118 disclosed being victims of sexual exploitation
- DYCD received nearly $1,000,000 from the city council to support programs offering various services to human trafficking victims
Dr. Amy Wilkerson
0:19:35
Good afternoon, chair Stevens, chair Salam, chair Lewis, and members of the committee on children and youth, public safety, and women and gender equity.
0:19:44
I'm doctor Amy Wilkerson, the assistant commissioner for runaway and homeless youth services at New York City's Department of Youth and Community Services, DYCD.
0:19:53
I am joined by Samantha Dawkins, senior director of Runaway and Homeless Youth Services.
0:19:59
On behalf of commissioner Howard, thank you for this opportunity to discuss DYCD's supports for young victims of human trafficking.
0:20:06
DYCD is grateful to have worked with the city council and other partners to build a comprehensive continuum and ecosystem of services for runaway and homeless youth ages 16 to 24.
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DYCD's runaway and homeless youth programs are designed to serve youth holistically, enabling them to obtain the services needed to help them thrive.
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The three types of services include residential services, drop in centers, and street outreach.
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Combined, they reach more than 40,000 young people annually.
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RHY programs serve vulnerable youth, some who have been victims of human trafficking or who could be susceptible to exploitation.
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Residential services include crisis shelter programs and transitional independent living support programs.
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Residential programs for young people aged 16 to 20 offer a total of 753 beds.
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And for homeless young adults aged 21 to 24, there are 4 programs with a total of 60 beds.
0:21:02
We are incredibly pleased that mayor Adams recently announced the expansion of our homeless youth young adult capacity by 100 more beds.
0:21:09
We will look forward to briefing the council on plans for the new beds in the time ahead.
0:21:15
At our 8 DYCD funded drop in centers, youth are provided with basic basic needs such as food and clothing and supportive services such as recreational activities, health and educational workshops, counseling, and referrals to additional services, including shelter as needed.
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At least one center in each borough is open 24 hours a day, every day of the week.
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Street Outreach focuses on locations in cities where runaway and homeless youth tend to congregate, offering on the spot information and referrals.
0:21:46
Runaway and homeless youth service providers help young people to address a range of challenging circumstances through counseling and referrals and offering opportunities for youth to meet their life goals while living in a safe and supportive environment.
0:22:00
All DYCD funded RHY programs are required to report youth that have experienced commercial sexual exploitation.
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Young people have an opportunity to disclose abuse and exploitation at any time.
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Key moments are during assessment at intake and during regular case management sessions, at which point the young person can receive a range of services, including referrals to specialized mental health services.
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Providers report incidents of trafficking and exploitation to DYCD on a monthly basis.
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In fiscal year 2024, out of the 3,110 youth served in residential programs and 2,824 who receive case management and drop in centers.
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118 young people disclosed that they were victims of sexual exploitation.
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All RHY residential program staff members must complete 40 hours of annual training.
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The mandatory training include information about identifying and assisting youth who have been sexually exploited.
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Other relevant topics include safety, emergency procedures, HIV awareness and education, case records, confidentiality, reportable incidents, child abuse, and domestic violence.
0:23:11
Counselors and RHY programs work with youth to develop individualized service plan to outline short term and long term goals.
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They can achieve a range of supportive services both directly and through referrals, which include health and mental health services, counseling, education and career support, substance abuse prevention, violence intervention, and prevention counseling and housing assistance.
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When appropriate, staff members assist young people in reuniting with their families or with moving to transitional and longer term programs.
0:23:41
We thank the council for their investment of nearly $1,000,000 to support victims of human trafficking.
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This allocation, a first for DYCD, supports programs that offer counseling assistance with mental health, education, immigration, housing, and employment services to victims of human trafficking.
0:24:00
Our intergovernmental and discretionary teams can update the council on the program's impact later this year.
0:24:07
Thank you once again for the opportunity to discuss how we're addressing the needs of young people in the runaway and homeless youth programs who may have been victims of trafficking.
0:24:16
We look forward to continuing to collaborate with the council, advocates, providers, and young people with lived experience to improve services for youth.
0:24:24
I am pleased to answer any questions you may have.
0:24:26
Thank you.