Frequently Asked Questions

TVAP is a grant program offered through the Office on Trafficking in Persons (OTIP) within the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Administration for Children & Families that funds comprehensive case management services for adult foreign national victims of a severe form of trafficking in persons, potential victims of trafficking seeking HHS Certification, and their qualified family members through a national network of service providers. OVC anti-trafficking grantees should expect that at times they may receive requests for referrals from TVAP-funded programs. Please consult the TVAP website for additional information on the program.

Aspire is a grant program offered through the Office on Trafficking in Persons (OTIP) within the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) Administration for Children & Families that funds comprehensive case management services for foreign national children and youth victims of a severe form of trafficking in persons, potential victims of trafficking seeking HHS Certification, and their qualified family members through a national network of service providers. OVC anti-trafficking grantees should expect that at times they may receive requests for referrals from Aspire-funded programs.

For purposes of OVC anti-trafficking awards, “key personnel” refers to the project director, and any other personnel designated in the application or award whose positions are essential to the successful implementation of the award. This includes, but is not limited to, project staff in leadership, supervisory, coordination, or project lead roles. Additional questions about key personnel may be directed to your OVC Grant Manager.

No. The only exception to this is OVC-funded Housing Assistance awards that implement a transitional housing model that limits housing assistance to 24-months. In this situation, if an individual needs housing assistance for longer than 24 months, please contact your OVC Grants Manager.

Foreign national minors in the United States, including unaccompanied children, who have experienced a severe form of trafficking in persons (forced labor or commercial sex) are eligible for benefits and services under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000, as amended through the issuance of an Eligibility or Interim Assistance Letter from the HHS Office on Trafficking in Persons (OTIP). These benefits and services include access to trafficking-specific case management services, medical services, food assistance, cash assistance, health insurance, and other needs to the same extent as a refugee. 

Please visit the OTIP website to learn more about how to report trafficking concerns and request assistance on behalf of a foreign national minor, how child eligibility is determined, or to access additional trafficking prevention and protection resources.

All clients with Eligibility Letters have already been screened for trafficking and are therefore eligible to receive services from OVC-funded anti-trafficking programs without re-screening. Additionally, all clients with Interim Assistance Letters are eligible to receive services from OVC-funded anti-trafficking programs during the 120-day Interim Assistance period without re-screening. If your client has an Interim Assistance Letter, contact the OTIP Child Protection Specialist for updates on their case and to determine if further assessment needs to occur.

In accordance with the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA), federal, state, and local officials with information about foreign national minors who may have experienced human trafficking must refer cases to the Office on Trafficking in Persons (OTIP) for assessment within 24 hours. However, OTIP will accept case referrals even after the initial 24-hour period has passed. Therefore, federal, state, and local officials working with a foreign national minor in the United States (non-U.S. citizen or non-lawful permanent resident under 18 years) that have concerns that a minor may have experienced forced labor or commercial sex at any point in their life and in any country should take steps to report trafficking concerns as outlined on the Office on Trafficking in Persons' (OTIP) website.

You can contact the Office on Trafficking in Persons’ (OTIP) Child Protection Specialists by phone at call 202-205-4582 or email [email protected] during normal business hours (9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. eastern time).

OVC-funded anti-trafficking case managers should work to expeditiously assist clients with accessing benefits with their Office on Trafficking in Persons (OTIP) Eligibility and Interim Assistance Letters. Some benefits may be time-limited, so apply for benefits as soon as possible. To troubleshoot issues with accessing benefits or a non-work Social Security Number, contact OTIP’s Aspire and Trafficking Victim Assistance Programs (TVAP) at 800-307-4712, [email protected] or [email protected] to be connected to a Regional Coordinator in your client’s area.

No. OVC does not impose procedures or policies that require victims to take certain actions to be eligible for, or to receive services. This includes requiring a victim of human trafficking to collaborate with law enforcement officers as a condition of access to any shelter or any other direct services.