New Interactive Tools Support Child Welfare Workers in their Response to Human Trafficking

November 17, 2023

In commemoration of World Day for the Prevention of and Healing from Child Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Violence , the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) joins the global community to prevent and end the exploitation, abuse, trafficking, and other forms of violence against children. 

ACF announces the launch of two new microlearnings developed for frontline professionals who work with children to strengthen screening for human trafficking and safety planning.  As children who have already experienced abuse are at disproportionate risk for human trafficking through coercive online and offline schemes, professionals in child welfare and other youth-serving programs are in positions to identify the risks for exploitation early, promote healing, and strengthen resiliency.

These are the new offerings:

The 30-minute modules are designed to be quick, digestible, and interactive trainings for busy professionals. Their content is intended to support personnel in their everyday work of preventing and responding to human trafficking among children and youth — in foster care and in the broader community.

The first microlearning, Human Trafficking Screening for Child Welfare Professionals , provides tips, strategies, and scenarios on screening and documentation for children or youth who may have experienced human trafficking.

The second microlearning, Safety Planning and Multidisciplinary Response for Child Welfare Professionals , gives an overview of safety planning and the benefits of a multidisciplinary approach to trafficking.

Other relevant ACF resources for frontline professionals who work with children:

These resources were developed through a collaboration between the ACF Office on Trafficking in Persons, Children’s Bureau, and Family and Youth Services Bureau and implements Priority Action 3.2.2 to enhance capabilities to locate children missing from care as part of the National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking  (PDF).