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Expansion of Ascension St. John Human Trafficking Education and Response Program in Northeastern Oklahoma

Award Information

Award #
15POVC-21-GG-04178-HT
Funding Category
Competitive Discretionary
Areas Served
Geographical Areas Served
  • Creek County
  • Nowata County
  • Tulsa County
  • Washington County
Indicates all geographic areas to which services are provided, excluding states. See States Served.
States Served
OK
Indicates all applicable states in which services are provided.
Location
Congressional District
Status
Open
Funding First Awarded
2021
Total funding (to date)
$350,000

Description of original award (Fiscal Year 2021, $350,000)

Funds will support the current work and expansion of services of Ascension St. John Human Trafficking Education and Response Program (HTERP). The program was designed to introduce standard training and resources to assist healthcare associates to identify and respond to the needs of victims of labor and sex trafficking in a trauma-informed manner, including making referrals as needed. The program serves the following counties in Northeastern Oklahoma: Tulsa, Washington, Creek, and Nowata. Through this project, HTERP will fully develop its capacity to serve victims in all areas of the community and to address current gaps in services.  

 

Funding from this grant will allow HTERP to expand its work, serving more victims of human trafficking (both labor and sex trafficking) and training more individuals and organizations on serving victims with a trauma-informed approach. Specifically, HTERP will expand its existing Fresh Start program to include emergency assistance grants for victims. These grants would be for crisis needs, such as transportation, food, and/or short-term support funds, as well as individual specialized needs. Funds will also be used to hire a Human Trafficking Social Worker, who will be embedded at a partner agency, the Family Safety Center. The Family Safety Center promotes safety and justice by offering co-located, multi-disciplinary, wraparound services that offer protection, hope and healing to victims of inter-personal, family violence, and human trafficking. The social worker will be a point of contact and continued advocate for victims of human trafficking identified in ASJ, the FSC, and within the community, ensuring survivors receive individualized medical and community-based services. The social worker will also assist in response support, particularly in the community hospitals, and will coordinate treatment planning meetings for their inpatient care.

Date Created: December 13, 2021