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

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.