Responding to Human Trafficking in the Title X Context Toolkit

Toolkit/Guide
Human Trafficking Title X Family Planning Program
Last Reviewed
Source
RHNTC

Welcome to the Toolkit

Human trafficking is a federal crime that affects communities throughout the United States and exploits individuals of all backgrounds, races, ages, and genders. Title X grantees must ensure that every staff member who serves or interacts with clients is able to: identify and report human trafficking; and take action and make appropriate referrals to improve the client’s safety and situation. This toolkit provides information, tools, and training for staff.

Illustration of healthcare provider reviewing a checklist

This toolkit will guide your agency to develop a client-centered response to human trafficking cases. The resources in this toolkit can be used in any order according to a site’s needs and priorities. This toolkit includes the following sections: 

  • Develop systems and protocols to respond to human trafficking
  • Train staff to understand human trafficking in the health care context
  • Refer victims and survivors of human trafficking to local, state, and national resources

Responding to human trafficking can be complex. While some organizations may want to work toward becoming specialists in human trafficking response, many organizations will not have the capacity for this, nor a prevalence of cases that requires specialization. Family planning providers can begin by implementing or revising the agency’s screening protocol for physical and sexual violence. While human trafficking is a distinct form of exploitation and violence, survivors may experience trafficking as sexual, physical, or intimate partner violence. Thus, the routine screening for intimate partner violence recommended by “Providing Quality Family Planning Services: Recommendations from CDC and the U.S. Office of Population Affairs” (QFP) is a good place to start.

Action Steps Supportive Resources

Develop or update your agency’s Title X program-compliant policy for human trafficking screening and referrals

Human Trafficking Policy and Procedures Template

Signs and Indicators of Human Trafficking

Identifying and Referring Human Trafficking Victims and Survivors: Red Flags for Title X Clinicians

Mandatory Child Abuse Reporting Policy Template

Mandatory Child Abuse Reporting State Summaries

Develop or update your agency’s policy for intimate partner violence screening and referrals

Survivors of human trafficking interact with providers in a range of health care settings—including primary care and family planning clinics—but report that their situation is often missed or ignored.

Action Steps Supportive Resources

Train staff annually on identifying and responding to human trafficking per Title X regulations

Note: “Identifying and Responding to Human Trafficking in Title X Settings” eLearning builds on the SOAR Trainings provided by the National Human Trafficking Training and Technical Assistance Center

The Basics of Human Trafficking

Identifying and Responding to Human Trafficking in Title X Settings eLearning Course

Train staff about how health and other systems help or impede support for victims and survivors

Develop and/or update state-specific mandatory reporting training and train staff annually as required by Title X regulations

Mandatory Child Abuse Reporting in Title X-Funded Family Planning Settings: Instructions for Customizing and Delivering a State-Specific Training

Train clinicians on how to code human trafficking related services

Human Trafficking ICD-10-CM Codes

Human trafficking victims and survivors may need a range of immediate support, including food, housing, health care, mental health treatment, and substance use disorder treatment. Establishing relationships and understanding the referral options in your community will enhance your agency’s capacity to respond to cases of human trafficking.

Action Steps Supportive Resources

Review organizational referral lists/agreements to ensure they include local organizations that respond to and support victims and survivors of human trafficking

Establishing and Providing Effective Referrals for Clients: A Toolkit for Family Planning Providers

Consult National Human Trafficking Hotline’s Referral Directory to identify national, state, and local organizations and resources for victims and survivors

Share National Human Trafficking Hotline information through posters or other hand-outs made available throughout service sites