The Human Trafficking Youth Prevention Education (HTYPE) Demonstration Program focuses on preventing the human trafficking of youth in Los Angeles County through skill-based prevention education for educators and students in grades 6 - 12.
Project Objectives:
- Utilize an informed public health approach to administer, facilitate, and monitor the HTYPE Demonstration Program focused on defining human trafficking, identifying risk and protective factors, developing and testing prevention strategies, and assuring widespread dissemination for human trafficking prevention and resources.
- To partner with iEmpathize to build the capacity of selected schools to provide skills-based human trafficking prevention education for educators, other staff, and students.
- Through partnership with the Los Angeles County Sherriff’s department, iEmpathize and other community agencies, the Los Angeles County Office of Education will create and implement a Human Trafficking School Safety Protocol that will address the safety, security, and well-being of staff and students.
- To train qualified individuals employed by the local educational agencies to implement and replicate project activities throughout school districts within Los Angeles County.
- To develop a Training Institute with the University of Southern California, Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, to incorporate graduate level social work interns into designated school districts to provide mental health support and case management for students who may be experiencing or at-risk of experiencing human trafficking.
- To expand the HTYPE Demonstration Program to all 80 school districts.
LACOE is in a unique position to deliver and maximize the impact of the Human Trafficking Youth Prevention Education (HTYPE) Demonstration Program along with iEmpathize, a national nonprofit organization, the University of Southern California Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, and the Los Angeles County Sherriff’s Department. Through these partnerships, LACOE will work to protect our students from human trafficking by educating youth and the adults that interact with them is schools every day.
iEmpathize
iEmpathize is an international human rights nonprofit working to end exploitation and human trafficking. iEmpathize serves to educate and empower youth and adults most affected by the issue. They specialize in the production of original media, guided by survivor leaders, and utilizes a curated library of educational multimedia to engage professionals whose work intersects with the issue of exploitation. Prioritizing empathy at its foundation, iEmpathize exists to evoke empathy and empower people to eradicate child exploitation.
USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work
The Teaching Institute (TI) is a capacity-building partnership between the University of Southern California, Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work (USC SDP SSW), and agencies interested in developing a Master of Social Work (MSW) internship training program that enhances student learning and increases the quality of services provided to the community. In collaboration with the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) and the identified schools, USC SDP SSW will establish a TI with a tailored internship curriculum that supports and enhances service delivery to students who are at risk for or experiencing human trafficking. These services will include mental health counseling, case management, psychoeducation, and referrals to needed services such as medical, emergency housing, and others as described in the Human Trafficking Safety Protocol (HTSSP).
Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department
The Los Angeles County Sheriff Department (LASD), Special Victims Bureau (SVB) Human Trafficking Task Force (HTTF) offers support to the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) in their continued efforts to establish and implement a Human Trafficking School Safety Protocol (HTSSP). Through this opportunity and with the collaboration of the Los Angeles Regional Human Trafficking Task Force (LAHTTF). LACOE’s HTSSP is a collaborative initiative that works to provide for the management of suspected and confirmed cases of human trafficking in a person-centered, trauma-informed, culturally and linguistically appropriate fashion. LASD will support LACOE in the development of the HTSSP to address safety, security, and well-being of staff and students.
Rachel Thomas
A graduate of UCLA with a Masters in Education and a survivor of human trafficking, Rachel has over 12 years’ of experience teaching, corporate training, curriculum writing, public speaking, consulting and anti-trafficking direct services. She founded Sowers Education Group in 2012 and her organization's sex trafficking intervention curriculum Ending The Game is being used across 38 states and was published in the Journal of Violence Against Women (2021). Her latest sex trafficking prevention online course, The Cool Aunt Series has helped thousands of youth and their families. In 2020, Rachel was appointed to the United States Advisory Council on Human Trafficking for a term of two years.
Human Trafficking Awareness for Schools Webinar Series
January 18, 2024, 3:15 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Creating Awareness: Is It Happening in Your School?
Human trafficking is an issue that affects all of us, and it's happening right under our noses. Trafficking occurs in neighborhoods, online, and, yes, even in our schools. To raise awareness and educate school staff, join us for this webinar to discuss the hidden dangers of human trafficking in schools. During the webinar, attendees will learn about the various types of human trafficking, how to identify warning signs, and how to provide support to students and their families. This information is critical for anyone working with students.
January 25, 2024, 3:15 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Trauma-Informed Strategies for Protecting and Supporting Survivors of Human Trafficking in Schools
Survivors of human trafficking can suffer from various forms of trauma. Therefore, it is imperative to adopt a trauma-informed perspective when engaging with young individuals impacted by human trafficking. The manner in which their needs are addressed and attended to holds the utmost significance. Join our webinar to learn practical, trauma-informed tips designed to support survivors of human trafficking. By taking a trauma-informed approach and prioritizing the needs of students, we can create safe and supportive environments for all students.
February 1, 2024, 3:15 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
A Firsthand Account: Human Trafficking in Plain Sight
Did you know that children make up half of the number of human trafficking victims? Shockingly, a child falls prey to trafficking every two minutes, according to Anti-Trafficking International. As educators, it's crucial to be informed about human trafficking and to safeguard students in your schools. You can help by learning more about this issue and raising awareness in your community. Join us for this upcoming webinar, where a former youth victim of human trafficking will share their experience. This session will provide insight on how school and child welfare staff could have taken preventative steps to avoid such situations. Learn how to support current and potential youth survivors of this heinous crime through a trauma-informed and non-judgmental approach.
February 8, 2024, 3:15 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
A Vital Role for Parents: Human Trafficking - A Threat to All
Parents play a significant role in the education system. As educators, it's essential to collaborate and enhance student outcomes. It is equally important for parents and educators to recognize how vulnerable students are to the dangers of human trafficking. Join this webinar to hear a mother's real-life experience fighting to save her daughter from human trafficking. Discover valuable tips and strategies to share with families in your school to help prevent and respond to human trafficking.
Additional Resources:
- What is Human Trafficking?
- Human Trafficking Prevention Month Toolkit
- LACOE Board Resolution
- White House Proclamation
- Human Trafficking Hotline
- Polaris Project
- Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking
- Department of Homeland Security
- Los Angeles County's Efforts to End Human Trafficking
This Project is supported by the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) of the United States (U.S.) Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $1.5 million dollars with 100 percent funded by ACF/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by ACF/HHS, or the U.S. Government.
For more information, please visit the ACF website, Administrative and National Policy Requirements.
