(FY20)

Kentucky Cabinet of Health and Human Services’ (DCBS) Division of Protection and Permanency (DPP), in collaboration with Catholic Charities, CHESS Solutions Group, state contracted Private Child Placing (PCP) and Private Child Caring (PCC) providers, and other key partners, have worked collaboratively to implement this statewide project. – is DCBS correct here? Looks like DCBS is an agency within the Cabinet for Health and Family Services. 

Kentucky outlined the following systems-level barriers to identifying and assisting child and youth victims of sex and labor trafficking: lack of knowledge among DCBS and providers on identification of trafficking victims, lack of appropriate screening tools, limited identified and known resources for child victims, and limitations related to available data related to youth who have experienced trafficking. 

Through grant funding, Kentucky is addressing these gaps by developing and implementing a strategic evidence-informed statewide initiative. This initiative seeks to improve outcomes for child and youth victims of sex and labor trafficking by (1) coordinating with the existing state and local level taskforces to focus on youth responses and outcome, (2) completing a statewide self-assessment, (3) developing a protocol and provide training to DCBS and PCC staff on use of the Vera Institute screening tool for youth for ages 13 and up while concurrently developing and pilot testing a screening tool appropriate for youth under the age of 13 years old, (4) map and create a directory of child-serving resources statewide, (5) create guidance, training and resources for DCBS staff, contracted service providers, and caregivers to provide appropriate, trauma-informed care to trafficked youth, and (6) update their child welfare data system to be able to identify child survivors of trafficking and track outcomes related to their safety, permanency, and well-being.