Q&A
Specific programs to support LGBTQ youth vulnerable to trafficking
1:48:01
ยท
3 min
Council Member Stevens asks about specific programs to support LGBTQ youth vulnerable to trafficking. Dr. Wilkerson explains that all DYCD providers are expected to work effectively with LGBTQ youth, with some providers specializing in LGBTQ-specific services.
- All DYCD providers are expected to work effectively with LGBTQ youth
- Some providers specialize in LGBTQ-specific services
- Youth can be referred to specialized programs if they prefer LGBTQ-specific services
- DYCD emphasizes youth choice and voice in their services
Althea Stevens
1:48:01
Okay.
1:48:02
A Covenant House, study revealed that nearly 1 third of the trafficking traffic LGBTQ youth experience exploitation during homeless.
1:48:12
What specific programs exist to support LGBTQ youth and address those vulnerabilities?
Dr. Amy Wilkerson
1:48:22
All all of our providers are expected to be able to work effectively with youth from the LGBTQ, community.
1:48:30
We do have some providers that specialize in providing those kinds of supports.
1:48:35
And if a young person identifies that they would prefer to have LGBTQ specific services, they would be referred to one of those programs.
Althea Stevens
1:48:47
Okay.
1:48:48
And I and I guess even in the same way I I I asked ACS, how are we also working with the young people to help identify that, not only within themselves but with others?
1:48:57
And also just kind of, like, have a climate where, this is actually being spoken about so they can, like, be aware?
Dr. Amy Wilkerson
1:49:05
I think that for the the work that we do, there's a lot of, like, workshops, group work, discussions that take place in our drop in centers, as well as in our residential sites where they're discussing, you know, all of these, issues and helping to assess the needs of young people.
1:49:27
But youth choice, and youth voice is the cornerstone of the work that we do in the runaway and homeless youth community.
1:49:34
So, you know, if it whatever youth identifies they need is what the expectation is that they will receive.
1:49:40
So if they want specialized services for a particular issue and we we work with them and we identify that, that becomes part of their goals, then we would make sure that they they receive it
Althea Stevens
1:49:51
Okay.
Dr. Amy Wilkerson
1:49:51
Whether it's directly or by referral.
Althea Stevens
1:49:56
Yeah.
1:49:56
I think that's one of the things that often to me is, like, you know, we're always talking about how are we training the staff up and those things, but, you know, I'm I'm real big on, like, how are we, like, even shifting the culture within our participants for them to also, like, be able to identify if someone's, like, even coming to them with these type of things and, like, preparing them so they they can know how to ward it off.
1:50:16
Because sometimes, again, like I said, I worked with young people where they did not know because no one told them, like, this is not okay.
1:50:22
So I really won't want us to even think about, like, how do we, you know, continue to cultivate, cultivate these conversations because if it's it's not something that people would be proud of.
1:50:33
Right?
1:50:34
And so even with, you know, understanding that we thrive on, like, youth voice and choice and all that.
1:50:40
But if I'm if this happened to me, I'm ashamed, and I don't want people to know.
1:50:44
And so it's really hard to, you know, allow that.
1:50:48
So I think we have to figure out a way to, you know, make sure that these are part of our group discussions and in our, healing circles and all those things because it becomes really hard for young people to even want to talk about it even if it's been identified.
1:51:01
It's it's, it's a sense of shame that comes with it.
1:51:05
How does DYC ensure that shelter programs and, and, shelters and programs funded are equipped to meet with the unique needs of trafficking survivors, particularly particularly LGBTQ youth and foster youth?
Dr. Amy Wilkerson
1:51:20
For us, the it would be the same responses really in the training.
1:51:23
Mhmm.
1:51:24
Working with LGBTQ youth is also required training.
1:51:27
Working with youth that have been, exposed to sexual exploitation is a required training for every single person that works in any of the programs that come in contact with 1 of the youth, and this is something that we monitor for performance and, we enforce, you know, effectively with our providers.