Q&A
Measures to protect homeless youth from trafficking
1:45:59
ยท
58 sec
Council Member Stevens asks about measures DYCD takes to protect homeless youth from falling victim to trafficking, especially during transitions out of shelter. Dr. Wilkerson explains their approach focuses on training staff to identify and work with exploited or sexually trafficked youth.
- DYCD requires all staff working with youth to undergo training
- Training covers identification and support for exploited or trafficked youth
- DYCD monitors and enforces training compliance as part of program performance
Althea Stevens
1:45:59
Research indicates a strong link between youth homelessness and vulnerability to trafficking.
1:46:04
What measures does z y c d take to protect youth and its care from falling victim to trafficking, especially as they're transitioning out of shelter?
Dr. Amy Wilkerson
1:46:13
I I think that for us, the, the main approach that we've used is ensuring that our providers are trained.
1:46:20
You know, this is, a requirement.
1:46:22
It's for our all of the individuals that work with youth in our all of our programs are trained into identification and, and also how to work with youth that have been, ex exploited or sexually trafficked.
1:46:37
So making sure that they all have the trainings, and we monitor that as part of our program performance to ensure that every single staff member is actually receiving that training.
1:46:48
And if they're they're not, receiving it, then it would be, compliance issues that would be followed up in our, technical assistance and support.