Services to Victims of a Severe Form of Trafficking

 

Under the Services to Victims of a Severe Form of Trafficking, the Office on Trafficking in Persons (OTIP) has established the: - Trafficking Victim Assistance Program (TVAP) - Aspire: Child Trafficking Victim Assistance Demonstration Program - Lighthouse: Services, Outreach, and Awareness for Labor Trafficking (Lighthouse) Demonstration Program - SOAR to Health and Wellness Training (SOAR) Demonstration Program - National Human Trafficking Hotline (NHTH) The primary purpose of TVAP is to efficiently fund time-limited comprehensive case management services on a per capita basis to foreign national victims of a severe form of trafficking in persons and potential victims of trafficking seeking the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service (HHS) certification so they can reestablish their ability to live independently. Under TVAP, the following activities are required: 1) provision of comprehensive, culturally and linguistically responsive case management to foreign national adults who have experienced labor and/or sex trafficking; 2) development and maintenance of a nationwide network of providers to conduct human trafficking outreach, and provide direct services and community referrals, and; 3) establishment of local presence within each of the 10 ACF geographic regions to coordinate project activities and support the delivery of services through the nationwide network of providers. The primary purpose of Aspire is to efficiently fund time-limited comprehensive case management services on a per capita basis to foreign national child and youth victims of a severe form of trafficking in persons and potential victims of trafficking seeking HHS certification so they can reestablish their ability to live independently. The following activities are required under Aspire funding to support foreign national children across the nation who have experienced severe forms of human trafficking: 1) provision of comprehensive, culturally and linguistically responsive case management to foreign national children who have experienced labor and/or sex trafficking; 2) development and maintenance of a nationwide network of providers to conduct human trafficking outreach and provide direct services and community referrals; and 3) establishment of local presence within each of the 10 ACF geographic regions to coordinate project activities and support the delivery of services through the nationwide network of providers. The primary purpose of Lighthouse is to fund projects that will build, expand, and sustain organizational and local capacity to provide direct services, assistance, and referrals for foreign national adults who have experienced labor trafficking as defined by TVPA of 2000, as amended, and who are seeking or have received HHS certification. Under the Lighthouse Demonstration Program, the following activities are required throughout the project period: 1) Provide comprehensive, culturally responsive, and linguistically appropriate case management and victim assistance to foreign national adults who have experienced labor trafficking; 2) Conduct outreach to increase identification of foreign national adults who have experienced labor trafficking; and 3) Conduct public awareness activities for the local community and organizations that may encounter individuals who have experienced labor trafficking. The primary purpose of the VHT-SO Pacific Program is to fund local organizations located in the U.S. Pacific territories (Hawaii, American Samoa, Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, Marshall Islands, Republic of Palau, and the Northern Mariana Islands) that will build, expand, and sustain organizational and community capacity to deliver services to adult foreign nationals who have experienced a severe form of human trafficking in the U.S. as defined by the TVPA of 2000, as amended. The following activities are required under the VHT-SO Pacific Program: 1) Provision of comprehensive, culturally and linguistically responsive case management to foreign national adults who have experienced sex and labor trafficking; 2) Outreach efforts to increase identification of foreign national adults who have experienced sex and labor trafficking; and 3) Training to service providers and community partners. The primary purpose of the SOAR to Health and Wellness Training (SOAR) Demonstration Program is to fund the implementation of SOAR trainings and capacity building to identify, treat, and respond to patients or clients who have experienced severe forms of human trafficking as defined by the TVPA of 2000, as amended, among their patient or client population. Under the SOAR Demonstration Program, the following activities are required: 1) Implement SOAR trainings, including SOAR Online and SOAR for Organizations, for staff at relevant levels and divisions, including at a minimum frontline and support staff most likely to encounter an individual who has experienced trafficking; mid-level and senior management who would need to approve changes in policies and protocols, and approve resources to support implementation; and staff who oversee procurement and external partners, across the primes organization; 2) Build the capacity of organizational staff to identify patients or clients who are experiencing human trafficking and provide them with coordinated, age-appropriate, culturally responsive, trauma-informed, patient-centered, and evidence-based care and/or services through ongoing training and engagement; 3) Serve patients or clients who are experiencing human trafficking in a coordinated, age-appropriate, culturally responsive, trauma-informed, person-centered, and evidence-based way and establish a continuum of care by entering into MOUs with local direct service providers and multidisciplinary stakeholders willing to receive referrals and provide aftercare services that are beyond scope of the primes capacity or mission to support patients or clients who are experiencing human trafficking; 4) Conduct an organizational audit and develop a strategic action plan that identifies internal resources, performance measures, a strategy for ensuring the organization is meaningfully integrating the expertise of those with lived experience, commitments to strengthen the institutional response to human trafficking, and other related actions; 5) Produce a situational analysis that demonstrates a thorough understanding of the local context, including state anti-trafficking laws, local economies with increased risk for human trafficking, existing service delivery gaps, risks and service needs of priority populations as determined by the prime recipients, and the quality and responsiveness of local partnerships; 6) Develop, implement, and evaluate the effectiveness of HTRP and corresponding policies and procedures that include best practices for working with law enforcement and making referrals when serving patients or clients in service settings who have experienced human trafficking to further refine and enhance project implementation. HTRP must comply with federal, state, local, and tribal laws, including legal confidentiality requirements for patients and healthcare providers; 7) Participate in the external evaluation of the SOAR Demonstration Program (if applicable). The NHTH provides 24/7, yearlong, timely, person-centered, trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and linguistically appropriate emergency assistance and information to potential domestic and foreign victims of sex and labor trafficking. Under the NHTH, the following activities are required: operate the NHTH, a 24/7 U.S. national hotline that receives signals through telephone, text, chat, and website; promote NHTH services to increase the identification and protection of victims of severe forms of human trafficking; provide information and service referrals to victims of trafficking using a trauma-informed, person-centered, culturally responsive, and linguistically appropriate approach, and in a timely manner; and notify law enforcement agencies of potential cases of human trafficking, as well as instances when a trafficking victim is in imminent danger, and document emerging trafficking schemes to assist in the detection and investigation of trafficking cases. The NHTH must respond to and track calls and texts in a timely manner; operate website and respond to online signals; maintain national coverage to serve the U.S. and all U.S. territories; develop and maintain a referral database; and raise awareness about NHTH and resources.

Active 93.598 Administration For Children and Families, Department of Health and Human Services B - Project Grants; C - Direct Payments For Specified Use Fiscal Year 2016 It is estimated that OTIP will award one (1) new grants and 21 continuation grants OTIP awarded 23 continuation grants.
Fiscal Year 2017 OTIP is projecting to award 10 new grants and 3 continuation grants.
Fiscal Year 2018 1 new grant and 13 non-competing continuation grants were awarded.
Fiscal Year 2019 3 new TVAP grants and 11 non-competing continuation LBS Program grants were awarded.
Fiscal Year 2020 1 new grant for the NHTH and 3 non-competing continuation TVAP grants were awarded.
Fiscal Year 2021 OTIP continued funding 1 new grant through the NHTH and 3 non-competing continuations for TVAP.
Fiscal Year 2023 OTIP will fund continuations for the NHTH, TVAP, Aspire, Lighthouse, and SOAR awards.
Fiscal Year 2024 OTIP will fund continuations for the NHTH, TVAP, Aspire, Lighthouse, and SOAR awards. 22 U.S.C. § 7105(b)(1)(B) (Section 107(b) of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000, as amended by Section 4(a)(2)(B)(ii) of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2003; and Section 603 of the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015); 22 U.S.C. § 7104(b) (Section 106(b) of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000). NOFOs under this program are unrestricted and open to any of the following entities; city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state controlled institutions of higher education; Native American tribal governments (federally recognized); public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments); nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS other than institutions of higher education; nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status with the IRS other than institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses. These discretionary awards will benefit foreign national victims of human trafficking and those vulnerable to trafficking as well as health care and social service agencies working with vulnerable populations, other interested persons, and the general public. Proof of Nonprofit Status is required for TVAP, Aspire, NHTH, Lighthouse and SOAR. Preapplication coordination is required. This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review. 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. Applicants may find and apply to NOFOs on https://www.grants.gov. Each application will be screened to determine whether it meets any of the disqualifying factors: missing the application deadline, required electronic submission or waiver requested and approved, or exceeding the Award Ceiling. Disqualified applications are considered to be "non-responsive" and are excluded from the competitive review process. Applications competing for financial assistance will be reviewed and evaluated by objective review panels using only the criteria described in Section V.1. Criteria of this NOFO. Each panel is composed of experts with knowledge and experience in the area under review. Generally, review panels include three reviewers and one chairperson. Results of the competitive objective review are taken into consideration by ACF in the selection of projects for funding; however, objective review scores and rankings are not binding. Scores and rankings are only one element used in the award decision-making process. If identified in Section I. Program Description, ACF reserves the right to consider preferences to fund organizations serving emerging, unserved, or under-served populations, including those populations located in pockets of poverty. In addition, ACF reserves the right to evaluate applications in the larger context of the overall portfolio by considering geographic distribution of federal funds (e.g. ensuring coverage of states, counties, or service areas) in its pre-award decisions. ACF may elect not to fund applicants with management or financial problems that would indicate an inability to successfully complete the proposed project. In addition, ACF may elect to not allow a prime recipient to subaward if there is any indication that they are unable to properly monitor and manage subrecipients. Applications may be funded in whole or in part. Successful applicants may be funded at an amount lower than requested. Contact the headquarters or regional location, as appropriate for application deadlines From 90 to 120 days. Contact the Administration for Children and Families, Office of Grants Management or review the NOFO, as appropriate, for application deadlines. Not applicable. Awards are generally made for 3-year or 5-year project periods. Non-competing continuations will be issued based on availability of funds, satisfactory progress, compliance with award terms and conditions and a determination that continuation funding is in the best interest of the federal government. The criteria for selecting proposals will be published in the NOFOs. The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) leads HHS's efforts to combat human trafficking and modern forms of slavery by administering anti-trafficking programs through grants and contracts and collaborating with federal, state, tribal, and local government and non-government organizations. OTIP is responsible for the overall leadership of anti-trafficking programs and services under the purview of ACF, including, but not limited to implementing provisions of relevant federal legislation and advising the Assistant Secretary in the development of anti-trafficking strategies, policies, and programs. The TVPA of 2000, as amended, and subsequent reauthorizations authorize HHS to assist foreign national and domestic (United States citizen and lawful permanent resident) victims of human trafficking through a number of efforts including screening and identifying victims; providing victims benefits and services; conducting research; training for the identification of trafficking survivors; and raising awareness and preventing human trafficking. Funds may be used only for the purpose set forth in the NOFOs. NHTH funding may be used to support the operation of a dedicated, toll-free, 24-hour, seven days a week, every day of the year U.S. national telephone and online communication system staffed by trained and experienced human trafficking advocates that provide services and assistance to victims of severe forms of labor and sex trafficking in persons. No funds made available through NHTH may be used to promote, support, or advocate the legalization or practice of prostitution. Nothing in the preceding sentence shall be construed to preclude assistance designed to promote the purposes of the TVPA by ameliorating the suffering of, or health risks to, victims while they are being trafficked or after they are out of the situation that resulted from such victims being trafficked. No funds may be paid for international travel. TVAP funding may be used to fund time-limited comprehensive case management services on a per capita basis to foreign national victims of a severe form of trafficking in persons and potential victims of trafficking seeking the Health and Human Services (HHS) certification so they can re-establish their ability to live independently. Aspire funding may be used to fund time-limited comprehensive case management services on a per capita basis to foreign national children and youth victims of a severe form of trafficking in persons and potential victims of trafficking seeking the HHS certification so they can re-establish their ability to live independently. Lighthouse funding may be used to: 1) provide comprehensive, culturally responsive, and linguistically appropriate case management and victim assistance to foreign national adults who have experienced labor trafficking; 2) Conduct outreach to increase identification of foreign national adults who have experienced labor trafficking; and 3) Conduct public awareness activities for the local community and organizations that may encounter individuals who have experienced labor trafficking. SOAR funds may be used to implement SOAR trainings and capacity building to identify, treat, and respond to patients or clients who have experienced severe forms of human trafficking as defined by the TVPA of 2000, as amended, among their patient or client population. Performance Reports: Performance progress reports are required on a quarterly basis for TVAP, Aspire, Lighthouse, SOAR and semi-annually for the NHTH. Final program reports summarizing the activities and accomplishments of the project in relation to the approved goals and objectives are also required 90 days after the end of the project period. For more information, see: https://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/manage-grant/reporting 45 CFR Part 75 Subpart F applies to this program. All records are to be maintained in accordance with 45 CFR 75.361-365. Statutory formula is not applicable to this assistance listing.

Matching requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing. Funds are generally made available for 3-year project periods with funding on an annual basis. Starting in FY21, the NHTH was made available for a 5-year project period. Starting in FY22, TVAP, Aspire, and SOAR were made available for a 5-year project period. In FY 22, Lighthouse was made available for a 3-year project period. In the first year of the project, awards will be awarded on a competitive basis. Applications will be considered on a noncompetitive basis for subsequent years until the conclusion of the project period subject to availability of funds, satisfactory progress of the recipient, and a determination that continued funding would be in the best interest of the Federal Government. Post award, our Division of Payment Management will establish an account from which a recipient may draw down award funds. None/Not specified. Carolyn Hightower
330 C. Street, SW., 4th Floor
Washington, DC 20201 US
Carolyn.Hightower@acf.hhs.gov
Phone: (202) 401-9253

Katherine Chon
330 C. Street, SW., 4th Floor
Washington, DC 20201 US
Katherine.Chon@acf.hhs.gov
Phone: 2024019372 https://www.acf.hhs.gov/otip 75-1503-0-1-609 (Cooperative Agreements (Discretionary Grants)) FY 22$5,000,000.00; FY 23 est $5,000,000.00; FY 24 est $5,000,000.00; FY 21$4,500,000.00; FY 20$4,436,500.00; FY 19$3,500,000.00; - NHTH(Cooperative Agreements (Discretionary Grants)) FY 22$4,000,000.00; FY 23 est $4,000,000.00; FY 24 est $4,000,000.00; FY 21$2,000,000.00; FY 20$5,353,349.00; FY 19$8,000,000.00; - TVAP(Cooperative Agreements (Discretionary Grants)) FY 22$1,500,000.00; FY 23 est $2,000,000.00; FY 24 est $1,500,000.00; FY 21$0.00; - Aspire(Cooperative Agreements (Discretionary Grants)) FY 22$1,000,000.00; FY 23 est $1,000,000.00; FY 24 est $1,000,000.00; FY 21$0.00; - Lighthouse(Cooperative Agreements (Discretionary Grants)) FY 22$1,000,000.00; FY 23 est $1,000,000.00; FY 24 est $1,000,000.00; FY 21$0.00; - SOAR In FY 23, total funding for the NHTH award was $5,000,000. In FY 23, total funding for the TVAP award was $4,000,000. In FY 23, total funding for the Aspire award was $2,000,000. In FY 23, total funding for the Lighthouse awards was $1,000,000. In FY 23, total funding for the SOAR awards was $1,000,000. Not applicable. Not applicable.