Q&A
DYCD's screening procedures for identifying trafficked youth
1:41:13
ยท
4 min
Council Member Althea Stevens questions DYCD about their screening procedures for identifying trafficked youth in their programs. Dr. Amy Wilkerson explains that while DYCD doesn't require a specific screening tool, providers are expected to screen youth using their own methods. Stevens emphasizes the importance of uniformity in screening and suggests implementing best practices across providers.
- DYCD currently allows providers to use their own screening methods
- Stevens pushes for more standardized screening procedures
- Discussion on the importance of implementing best practices for identifying trafficked youth
Althea Stevens
1:41:13
Thank you.
1:41:15
I have a couple of questions from ZYCD, and some of our members who are on Zoom sent me some questions over.
1:41:20
So I'll ask those right after I asked ZYCDs, like, these these couple of questions.
1:41:24
The 20, 22 state controls audit of ACS and ZYCD, service found that ZYCD does not have procedures requiring its providers to screen youth for indicators of of trafficking.
1:41:36
Since the release of this report, has DYCD implemented procedures to screen youth at risk for being trafficked?
Dr. Amy Wilkerson
1:41:44
No.
1:41:44
The the we do not have a specific screening tool that we require our providers to use.
1:41:50
They are able to screen the youth that come into the program in a way that they see best for their, case management services and their mental health practices of their organization.
Althea Stevens
1:42:04
And but do we not think this is something that's important?
1:42:06
Because I think that even especially with, like, the drop in centers and and the shelters that that are operated, that it would be important for us to make sure that, you know, there is some uniform uniformity around, screening for for this because they're so influx when they're coming in.
Dr. Amy Wilkerson
1:42:23
Yeah.
1:42:23
I I think that the point that you're making is definitely, a valid one and one that we have been, considering since the, audit.
1:42:35
I think in our exact response was that, you know, it's something that we would continue to look into and to figure a way that we can, apply that.
1:42:45
But, outside of, like, a RFP process, you know, we're we're not able to do that just yet, but it is something that we're considering, for future implementation.
Althea Stevens
1:42:55
I mean, we can convene providers and say these are some tools that we want you to implement.
1:42:59
We don't need to necessarily do a RFP process to continue to give providers additional tools to implement the work.
1:43:08
So I don't want us to, like, fall on that one because
Dr. Amy Wilkerson
1:43:11
I wanna just clarify what I'm saying is is to require them to do it is different than to suggest.
1:43:17
You know, we definitely suggest
Althea Stevens
1:43:19
recommend because we are the funders, and we can strongly recommend Yes.
1:43:23
That we want information.
1:43:24
And because it happens all the time with stuff that they don't want.
1:43:29
They don't feel like it's necessary.
1:43:30
So, you know, I think that when we have situations like this, this is this is important for us to be thinking about, how do we make sure that there's uniformity.
1:43:38
And, like, there is some screening tools, and also give them support.
1:43:41
I don't think, you know, we should do something that's super strenuous, but I think this is something that, you know, after this audit came out, we should have, like, started to put things in place.
Dr. Amy Wilkerson
1:43:51
We've definitely been discussing and, talking about different tools that can be used, but implementation is not present.
1:44:00
But we do suggest, tools that are viable to our providers.
1:44:04
It's just not a requirement for something that they must use.
1:44:07
So we do suggest it, but they do have the ability to select the one that they, think is best for them.
Althea Stevens
1:44:14
Yeah.
1:44:16
And that's a hard period and I'll move on, but I just wanna to, like, make sure, especially even with best practices because there's a couple of things that could be going on.
1:44:22
We know that our providers are often, pulled in so many directions.
1:44:26
They might even not know to look for it, and so we might have some providers doing it and some doing it better than others.
1:44:31
And so I think out out of this conversation and this order, we should really be thinking about how do we buckle down and really put together some best processes and strongly recommend in the same way we recommend other things that sometimes isn't necessarily mandatory that we ask them to do.
1:44:46
And I do not see any provider being like, we don't own screen for sex, trafficking.
1:44:51
I don't see anyone saying that.
1:44:52
Like, I you know, I know a lot of them, and I don't see them saying that.
1:44:55
So I think that we can move in a in a direction to start getting some work and best practices put in place around this.
Dr. Amy Wilkerson
1:45:03
Yes, chair.
1:45:03
We we continue to require them to to screen.
1:45:06
Screening is not an option.
1:45:07
They all have to screen.
Althea Stevens
1:45:08
Mhmm.
Dr. Amy Wilkerson
1:45:08
It's just in the in the, uniformity that you're referencing.
1:45:12
Mhmm.
1:45:12
Yes.