Partnership Resource Network
Project Name: Human Trafficking Program of the Lower Hudson Valley
Applicant: My Sisters’ Place, Inc.
Applicant Type: NonProfit
Application Number: 2012-40182-NY-VT
Funding Request: $400,000
Focus: Victims and Victimization, Crime Victimization
Location: NY
Areas Covered: Lower Hudson Valley, NY
Summary: For the purposes of this program, the Lower Hudson Valley (LHV) Region consists of the four New York counties north of New York City alongside the Hudson River: Westchester, Rockland, Putnam, and Orange counties. This region covers an area of 1,734 square miles and has a diverse population of nearly 1.8 million. The need for comprehensive services to victims of human trafficking in the Lower Hudson Valley Region is critical because the region has 1) circumstances that make it a prime location for trafficking—including ethnic and racial diversity, a range of living environments (urban, suburban, exurban and rural), and a wide variety of industries and living circumstances that necessitate the presence of all types of workers; 2) cases of domestic servitude, bonded labor and commercial sex trafficking that have already been uncovered, as well as possible trafficking of migrant farm workers; 3) a sizeable population of immigrants and ethnic minorities with limited English proficiency who are not well integrated into the community fabric; 4) a lack of case managers who work solely on behalf of sex and labor trafficking victims; 5) limited capacity to provide consistent outreach and awareness efforts in high-risk communities; and, 6) limited opportunities for law enforcement and service providers to obtain the skills and mechanisms to appropriately identify, refer and assist trafficked persons.
To address these urgent needs, the overall goal of the program is to build upon and expand existing services, training, and outreach efforts in the LHV Region to ensure that more victims of trafficking are identified and that all victims of trafficking have access to a full range of comprehensive support services. MSP will achieve this goal through the following objectives: 1) Increase the provision of high-quality and timely comprehensive services to victims of human trafficking by a) hiring dedicated Human Trafficking Case Managers to provide services to all victims of human trafficking in Westchester County, and to serve on an "on-call" rotation for emergency calls referred by MSP’s hotline staff, and b) strengthening existing collaborative relationships with and building the capacity of Regional Partners (service providers) in Westchester, Rockland, Putnam and Orange Counties; 2) Strengthen outreach and awareness efforts among high-risk populations by providing outreach funding and technical assistance to Regional Partners as well as two Westchester-based community Outreach Partner organizations; 3) Increase service provider and law enforcement capacity to identify, investigate, and assist trafficking victims by conducting specialized training throughout the region; and, 4) Conduct a thorough program evaluation designed to monitor effectiveness and impact of services, and guide all partner agencies towards areas for improvement in service delivery.
Key deliverables include: 1) To increase the number of trafficking victims in the Lower Hudson Valley Region that receive comprehensive, timely services by 50%; 2) To reach 300 community members and potential victims each year through outreach materials designed and disseminated by community partners; 3) To provide specialized, skills-building training to 40-60 service providers and 75-100 law enforcement officials each project year; 4) To increase the number of collaborative partners providing services to human trafficking victims in the region by 20%; and, 5) To develop an evaluation plan and report that will assist MSP and partner agencies in improving service delivery and outreach efforts.
For Further Information:
Amy Siniscalchi
Director of Programs
1 Water Street
3rd Floor
White Plains, NY 10601
asiniscalchi@mspny.org
(914) 683-1333
Application Submitted in Response to Solicitation: Services for Victims of Human Trafficking Program
Grants.gov Assigned Number: OVC-2012-3192