Addressing the Mental Health Needs of Adolescent Survivors of Human Trafficking: A Grant Proposal Project

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1 Addressing the Mental Health Needs of Adolescent Survivors of Human Trafficking: A Grant Proposal Project Angelica Muñoz California State University, Long Beach May 2018

2 Introduction Human trafficking s prevalence has been increasing and it has become the third most profitable criminal activity in the world, possibly surpassing drug and weapon trafficking in the near future (Baker & Grover, 2013). Human trafficking affects women all over the world and the women are seen as a profitable commodity that can be repeatedly utilized to bring in revenue. The United States receives the second largest amount of international sex trafficking victims globally (Hodge, 2014). Victims of human trafficking are at risk for anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD; Public Health Emergency, 2017).

3 Social Work Relevance Social workers have a broad spectrum of roles when working with vulnerable client populations. The National Association of Social Worker s (2008) Code of Ethics values the dignity and worth of the person. Survivors of human trafficking are a vulnerable population because of the exploitation and trauma they have experienced. Thus, providing services for survivors of human trafficking is consistent with the Code of Ethics. Assisting and providing survivors with the services necessary for them to regain their dignity and worth as a person after their trauma is an important way to empower survivors.

4 Cross-Cultural Relevance Victims and survivors of human trafficking include a wide range of people who are thought to be the most vulnerable such as, female, young, poor, orphaned, illiterate, innumerate, physically disabled, socially isolated, victims of prior sexual abuse, minority groups, and refugees fleeing wars or natural disasters (Hodge, 2014). Per Abas et al. (2013), the global number of trafficked persons at any time is approximately 2.5 billion.

5 Methods Target population Adolescent female survivors of human trafficking seeking services at Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking (CAST) located in Los Angeles, California. Strategies used to identify and select a funding source: The grant writer used the Grantsmanship Center s databases ( to identify potential funders. In addition, the grant writer used the Internet search engine Google with key words such as mental health and sex trafficking grants and teens and human trafficking grants. As a result of these searches, the grant writer identified three potential foundations including the Marisla Foundation, Tides Foundation, and William T. Grant Foundation. Criteria included area of grant focus, mission and values of the foundation, geographic area, and available funding.

6 Methods Funding source selected The Marisla Foundation Sources used for the needs assessment Peer-reviewed articles published in recent years ( ) in scholarly journals such as Social Work, Journal of Child & Adolescent Trauma, and American Journal of Public Health. Internet website sources were also utilized such as Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Human Trafficking, National Human Trafficking Hotline, and Public Health Emergency. Projected budget range and categories Total salaries with benefits for a MSW Program Manager = $30,555.20; a part-time psychiatrist = $71,687.20; a Peer Support Member part-time = $14, Total program expenses for telephone, fax, internet, utilities, supplies, equipment, printing and duplicating, miscellaneous = $14, Total in-kind support = $6, Total program cost = $153,343.60

7 Grant Proposal Program Summary and Description Human trafficking affects various women throughout the world and it is currently the third most profitable form of commerce in the world (Baker & Grover, 2013). The targeting of young adolescent women is seen as source of income and several traffickers are aware that women are profitable and reusable. There is a need for mental health services once adolescent survivors escape their trafficker. The purpose of the proposed mental health group is to provide psychosocial support for adolescent, female survivors who have escaped sex trafficking. The services will include individual and group therapy, peer support, vocational training, and the ability to regain a sense of self. Population Served Adolescent female survivors of human trafficking, specifically sex trafficking.

8 Grant Proposal Sustainability Applying to new grants Fundraising and community donations Second year expenses will be lower due to not having to buy more equipment such as computers Program Objectives The objectives of the program include (a) address mental health needs in order to ensure safety (b) de-stigmatize lived experiences and regain a sense of self (c) assist survivor to achieve valued roles. Program Evaluation In order to provide evidence of the importance for a mental health group for adolescent female survivors of human trafficking, data will be collected on trauma, coping skills, and satisfaction. The PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) will be used to measure presence of trauma symptoms through a pre-test/post-test. The PCL-5 is the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 has been used in clinical settings with good internal consistency (Blevins, Weathers, Davis, Witte, & Domino, 2015). A coping skills questionnaire will also be included in the pre-test/post-test. The satisfaction survey will be completed on the last day of group in order to evaluate if the group was well received by the survivors.

9 Lessons Learned/Implications for Social Work The process of writing a grant requires a large amount of time to determine the population that will be addressed, the possible funder, and current scholarly academic research that can be utilized as the basis to propose a program. The grant writer learned about the importance of reviewing the academic literature in order to gain an understanding of the needs and challenges adolescent female survivors of human trafficking. Grant writing also involves deadlines, therefore the grant writer learned that she must meet specific deadlines for possible funders as well as be eligible for the funding (ex. geographic location). Assisting and providing survivors with the services necessary for them to regain their dignity and worth as a person after their trauma is an important way to empower survivors. As a grant writer, social workers can take their ethics and values to design an ethical program that can serve numerous individuals.

10 References Abas, M., Ostrovschi, N. V., Prince, M., Gorceag, V. I., Trigub, C., & Oram, S. (2013). Risk factors for mental disorders in women survivors of human trafficking: A historical cohort study. BMC Psychiatry, 13(1), Baker, D. A., & Grover, E. A. (2013). Responding to victims of human trafficking: Interagency awareness, housing services, and spiritual care. Social Work & Christianity, 40(3), Blevins, C.A., Weathers, F.W., Davis, M.T., Witte, T.K., & Domino, J.L. (2015). The posttraumatic stress disorder checklist for DSM 5 (PCL 5): Development and initial psychometric evaluation. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 28(6), doi: / jts Hodge, D. R. (2014). Assisting victims of human trafficking: Strategies to facilitate identification, exit from trafficking, and the restoration of wellness. Social Work, 59(2), National Association of Social Workers. (2008). Code of ethics.washington, DC: Author. Public Health Emergency. (2017). Human trafficking and health professionals: Questions and answers. Retrieved from