This September 6, at 4:00 pm EST the ATEST National Call for State Agencies and Associations on Federal Child Welfare Efforts to Address Human Trafficking will take place.
Across the United States, child victims of human trafficking are being arrested and criminally prosecuted. More needs to be done to ensure that child welfare services are able to identify and properly respond to child trafficking victims and avoid having these children end up in the juvenile delinquency and probation system.
Please join the Alliance to End Slavery and Trafficking (ATEST) in a facilitated discussion specifically for individuals who work in or with state child welfare agencies on an important piece of federal legislation: H.R. 2730 Strengthening the Child Welfare Response to Trafficking Act. During this call best practices for identifying and combating human trafficking by child welfare agencies will also be discussed. We look forward to your participation!
Call Agenda
4:00 – 4:05pm: Introduction to ATEST/Presentation of Call Agenda
4:05 – 4:15pm: Review of H.R. 2730
4:15 – 4:20pm: Advocacy and outreach related to H.R. 2730
4:20 – 4:30pm: Presentation by Tammy Sneed, Director of Girls’ Services, Connecticut Department of Children and Families
4:30 – 5:00pm: Moderated Q&A on Promising Practices and Feedback Regarding H.R. 2730
What is ATEST?
ATEST is a coalition of U.S. based human rights organizations that is working to end modern-day slavery and human trafficking in the United States and around the world. Together, we advocate for lasting solutions to prevent labor and sex trafficking, hold perpetrators accountable, ensure justice for victims and empower survivors to have the tools for recovery.
ATEST member organizations include: Coalition of Immokalee Workers(CIW), Coalition to Abolish Slavery & Trafficking (CAST), End Child Prostitution and Trafficking – USA (ECPAT-USA), Free the Slaves, International Justice Mission (IJM), Not For Sale, Polaris Project, Safe Horizon, Solidarity Center, Verité, Vital Voices Global Partnership, and World Vision.
Background information for the call:
H.R. 2730 directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to develop guidelines for use by state child welfare agencies in training appropriate child welfare employees and court employees in identifying, documenting and educating children at risk of becoming victims of trafficking or who are human trafficking victims and who may need to be in the care of the child welfare system. This bi-partisan bill was introduced by two co-chairs of the Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth, Representative KarenBass (D-CA) and Representative Tom Marino (R-PA).
DIAL-IN INFORMATION: 1-866-200-6965, pin 89605435#
Please RSVP by Tuesday, September 4, 2PM EST to Abby Temple at atemple@humanityunited.org
Even if you’re not a member of a state or municipal child welfare agency, you can still get informed on the issue by reading the following documents:
HR-2730 Bill Text
ATEST HR 2730 Letter of Support
ATEST One Pager HR2730