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December/January 2025Vol. 25, No. 10Spotlight on Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation

This edition of CBX spotlights the impact of human trafficking and sexual exploitation on children and families. We feature a message from Commissioner Rebecca Jones Gaston in recognition of National Human Trafficking Prevention Month in January that emphasizes the importance of proactively collaborating across systems to keep families together, strengthen communities, and protect at-risk children and youth. Additionally, this issue includes valuable resources for professionals and the families they serve.

Issue Spotlight

  • Supporting Strong Communities, A Message From Rebecca Jones Gaston

    Supporting Strong Communities, A Message From Rebecca Jones Gaston

    Written by Commissioner Rebecca Jones Gaston

    As we come to the end of the year, it’s important to reflect on the critically important work we are doing to keep children, young people, families, and communities safe and thriving.

    January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, and human trafficking is a problem affecting an estimated 25 million people worldwide. But this isn’t just a problem happening somewhere else—it’s also happening right here, in the United States. For example, in 2023, the National Human Trafficking Hotline identified 9,619 cases of human trafficking involving 16,999 victims. And those are just the ones we know about.

    Human trafficking erodes the safety and security of our communities and destroys the lives of young people, especially those who are at greater risk for entry into the child welfare system. It is important to note that both the risk of entry and the experiences within the child welfare system can contribute to their vulnerability. In fact, research shows that traffickers may target children in foster care or those who have run away from foster care or their families. Certain communities and populations are more vulnerable to human trafficking than others, such as children and youth who identify as LGBTQIA2S+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, intersex, asexual, Two-Spirit, or other gender or sexual identity) and American Indian/Alaska Native and Black and African American children in out-of-home care. Children and youth who identify as LGBTQIA2S+ often face family rejection and social marginalization, increasing their risk of homelessness and exploitation. Similarly, Black and African American children and American Indian/Alaska Native children in out-of-home care are disproportionately affected by systemic inequities and historical trauma, making them more susceptible to traffickers. Economic disadvantages further exacerbate these vulnerabilities, as traffickers exploit the financial needs of these children. 

    Implementing policies that help parents, kin, caregivers, and communities support children and youth is an important step forward. For example, for LGBTQIA2S+ children and youth, the recent federal Designated Placements rule mandates that states ensure LGBTQIA2S+ youth in foster care have access to placements that are trained to meet their unique needs, helping these children feel supported in their out-of-home placements. The Children’s Bureau also recently issued the Final Rule on Separate Licensing Standards for Relative or Kinship Foster Family Homes, allowing title IV-E agencies to adopt foster family home licensing or approval standards for relative and kin foster family homes that differ from nonrelative foster family standards while also requiring equal maintenance payments.  This rule will encourage stability for more children and young people by allowing them to live with their extended family members or people they already know and have a relationship with while in out-of-home care.

    Recent collaborative efforts between agencies have been designed to support people who experience human trafficking. For example, the SOAR Responding to Human Trafficking Through the Child Welfare System training is a new online module delivered through the National Human Trafficking Training and Technical Assistance Center (NHTTAC), a service of the Administration for Children and Families’ Office on Trafficking in Persons (OTIP). This free, accredited, and on-demand training prepares child welfare professionals and related providers to appropriately serve children, youth, and families connected to child welfare systems who may have experienced human trafficking. OTIP has developed additional microlearnings for child welfare professionals to strengthen screening for human trafficking and safety planning for the children and youth they serve. NHTTAC also has developed resources to help organizations build knowledge and capacity to address human trafficking and support human trafficking survivors in their communities.

    While addressing the root causes that contribute to human trafficking is not easy, we know what can move us in the right direction: keeping families together and strengthening communities to keep children and youth safe. We also know that it wouldn’t be possible without active collaboration across federal, state, and local agencies, as well as the leadership and dedication of child welfare professionals at all levels.

    We all lead from where we are, and we need everyone’s attention and thoughtful participation to combat human trafficking in all our communities. I want to thank you for showing up to work every day and bringing your best selves even in the most challenging circumstances. Working together, we can continue to make a difference in the lives of children, youth, and families everywhere.

  • HHS Virtual Event Highlights Importance of Community Connections in Human Trafficking Prevention

    HHS Virtual Event Highlights Importance of Community Connections in Human Trafficking Prevention

    Child welfare professionals play a critical role in preventing human trafficking by identifying children who have a higher risk of being trafficked and providing essential support. Children involved in the child welfare system are particularly vulnerable to exploitation due to factors like placement instability and trauma. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently hosted a two-part virtual event, "Activating Connections: Mobilizing Communities to Prevent Human Trafficking," building on its ongoing efforts from the National Human Trafficking Prevention Summit and the release of the National Human Trafficking Prevention Framework. This event, summarized on the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) Office on Trafficking in Persons website, brought together a diverse group of subject-matter experts from across the country, alongside HHS leadership, to explore practical initiatives for preventing human trafficking.

    The event focused on activating community connections to support comprehensive prevention efforts. Participants highlighted the importance of fostering collaboration across multiple sectors to engage all systems affecting individual, family, and community health. Emphasizing a multidisciplinary approach, speakers encouraged attendees to build partnerships that could sustain long-term, practical solutions to human trafficking.

    The presentations showcased innovative strategies that have proven successful in various regions. These included the HHS Innovation Challenge to Prevent Human Trafficking Among Women and Girls, which recognized programs that provided vital services such as housing, legal support, education, and medical care to survivors. Youth-centric prevention efforts and novel shelter placement platforms also featured prominently, underlining the critical role of early intervention and responsive services.

    Additionally, the virtual event highlighted how organizations and communities implement practices using the National Human Trafficking Prevention Framework. Offering a public health lens on trafficking prevention, the framework's multilevel strategies—from strengthening protective environments at the community level to fostering networks of multidisciplinary coalitions—are designed to address risk factors contributing to trafficking to create safer communities nationwide.

    This virtual event serves as a call to action, urging partners from all sectors to activate their connections and collaborate in the fight against human trafficking. The slides from the presentation are available for further insights into the solutions discussed.

    For more information, visit the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) Office on Trafficking in Persons website. By being equipped with knowledge of trafficking prevention, child welfare professionals can intervene early, offer trauma-informed care, and collaborate with other sectors to protect vulnerable children. Their awareness also promotes proper coordination of legal protections and comprehensive care, helping to safeguard children from trafficking and reduce the risk of revictimization.

    Related item: Read the article "ACF Releases Resources to Strengthen the Child Welfare Response to Human Trafficking" in the February 2023 issue of CBX to learn about other ACF efforts directed at combatting human trafficking, such as the information memorandum Responding to Human Trafficking Among Children and Youth in Foster Care and Missing From Foster Care.

  • Child Sex Trafficking Factsheets for Child Welfare and Related Professionals

    Child Sex Trafficking Factsheets for Child Welfare and Related Professionals

    The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) released a new publication directed at child welfare professionals, providing essential information on child sex trafficking (CST). This factsheet defines CST as the exchange of anything of value, such as money, shelter, or food, for a sex act involving a minor. It emphasizes that CST affects children across all demographics. However, some children may be at greater risk due to factors like family instability, homelessness, or involvement in the child welfare system.

    The document outlines the significant trauma often linked to CST, which can include prior abuse, neglect, and exposure to violence, both before and during trafficking. The trauma experienced by these children often leads to difficulties with attention, emotional regulation, and relationships. Recognizing these signs is crucial for child welfare professionals, who are frequently in positions to intervene early.

    The publication also highlights what child welfare professionals need to know about the vulnerabilities that contribute to CST, such as mental health challenges or substance use in caregivers, and the importance of promoting access to safe and stable housing for children who are trafficked. It stresses the need for trauma-informed, strengths-based approaches when working with children, emphasizing the importance of building trust, prioritizing safety, and respecting the identities and autonomy of children who are trafficked.

    Professionals are urged to be aware of their state's specific laws regarding child trafficking and to engage in safety planning with the children involved, as the risk of revictimization is high. NCTSN also offers related factsheets tailored to other professionals, including those in education, juvenile justice, and medical professions. These resources provide critical guidance on how different sectors can collaborate to better support children affected by sex trafficking.

  • Resources Dedicated to Children Missing From Care

    Resources Dedicated to Children Missing From Care

    The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) developed a dedicated web section for addressing the issue of children missing from states' care, offering critical resources for child welfare professionals, law enforcement, and caregivers. This section provides tools, reporting features, and guidance to help safeguard children who go missing from care, highlighting the importance of early intervention and collaborative efforts across systems.

    It features a tool to report a child missing from care and detailed information on how to make a report, including a list of what information is needed (e.g., circumstances, photos, endangerments) and who to file reports with. A subsection on relevant legislation lists several laws that define how quickly a report must be made and who is considered a "missing child," as well as legislation that supports data sharing for more effective responses.

    One of the most significant resources featured is the Analysis of Children Missing From Care Reported to NCMEC 2013-2022, which provides a big-picture overview of the scope of the issue. The report analyzes data across 9 years, offering valuable insights into patterns and trends related to children missing from state care. It identifies common risk factors and demographics of missing children, helping child welfare agencies and partners better understand the underlying issues that can contribute to these cases. This resource can help in developing informed strategies to prevent children from going missing and in implementing effective recovery practices.

    Another resource, Children Missing From Care: Sound Policy and Practice Recommendations, provides crucial guidelines for child welfare agencies in developing policies and practices to address cases of children missing from care. It emphasizes the importance of clear definitions and immediate response protocols to avoid delays in support for children. Recommendations include immediate reporting to law enforcement and NCMEC, consistent communication during the search, and comprehensive assessment and prevention measures after the child’s recovery.

    These resources provide guidance to help child welfare professionals and agencies support prevention and address the complex issue of children missing from care. Explore NCMEC's web section on Children Missing From Care for more information.

  • Addressing Human Trafficking in American Indian/Alaska Native Communities

    Addressing Human Trafficking in American Indian/Alaska Native Communities

    Human trafficking, sometimes known as modern-day slavery, is a serious crime in which people are compelled by force, fraud, or coercion into situations where they are exploited for profit. This can involve forced engagement in commercial sex acts or servitude without pay, and traffickers often use threats, lies, or violence to control their victims.

    While human trafficking can happen to anyone at any age and anywhere, some populations such as American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities are particularly vulnerable. In a National Indigenous Women's Resource Center study of four sites in the United States and Canada, Indigenous peoples represented 40 percent of trafficking victims even though they accounted for only 10 percent of the population in those areas.

    AI/AN communities are disproportionately affected by and susceptible to sex trafficking and labor trafficking for many interrelated reasons. According to the StrongHearts Native Helpline website, this disparity is the result of centuries of generational trauma, historic oppression, discrimination, and racism. This victimization—especially affecting the women and girls of AI/AN communities—is amplified by economic and social inequities. AI/AN communities experience high rates of poverty, homelessness, and substance use and are overrepresented in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems, all of which are common vulnerabilities traffickers look for in potential victims.

    Addressing human trafficking and exploitation is an enormous endeavor, but it’s necessary for the health and safety of all communities. Particular attention should be focused on increasing the awareness about the issue of human trafficking in AI/AN populations, and the intentional collaboration of support and response across federal, state, and local levels is critical.

    The selection of resources below, mostly tailored to AI/AN populations, represents a fraction of the many efforts—both federal and nonfederal—currently underway to combat human trafficking. Professionals who work in child welfare, public health, education, and other similar sectors may find this information particularly helpful in their work.

    The Office on Trafficking in Persons (OTIP) within the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) provides an abundance of information, including the following:

    • "SOAR for Indigenous Communities" is a free online training designed to help those who serve Indigenous populations better understand the issues surrounding human trafficking and its impact on these communities. It also aims to help participants better identify and respond to people who are at risk of or have experienced human trafficking using a trauma-informed approach. (To access this content, users must first create a free TRAIN account.)
    • Human Trafficking Leadership Academy Class 5 Recommendations is a report developed by the Human Trafficking Leadership Academy, a fellowship funded by OTIP and the Administration for Native Americans within ACF. The report examines the unique risk and resilience factors of AI/AN communities and the historical context and continued impact of trafficking on Indigenous communities to answer the question, "How can culture be a protective factor in preventing trafficking among all Indigenous youth?"
    • Read about and access three new reports that evaluate OTIP's Demonstration Grants to Strengthen the Response to Victims of Human Trafficking in Native Communities (VHT-NC) Program. The final evaluation report summarizes the implementation of the six VHT-NC projects, including their challenges, strengths, and key findings.
    • The National Human Trafficking Hotline is a confidential and multilingual hotline for victims, survivors, and witnesses of human trafficking. Those in need can connect with trained staff to get help, report a tip, find local services, and more. Immediate assistance is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by calling 1-888-373-7888.

    The Blue Campaign is a national public awareness campaign designed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to educate the public, law enforcement, and others to recognize the key indicators of human trafficking and how to respond to possible cases. Visitors to the campaign website can find information specific to AI/AN populations on the Protect Native Communities From Human Trafficking webpage, including a culturally appropriate collection of posters that were created to increase awareness of human trafficking among Native communities.

    Human trafficking is a serious issue that requires focused awareness and cooperative efforts to effectively address. Explore the articles in this issue of CBX to learn about other work being done to combat trafficking and strengthen communities.

    Related items: An article in the February 2023 issue of CBX highlights a SOAR training about the child welfare system's response to human trafficking, and in April 2021, CBX featured an article about the Blue Campaign's publication How to Talk to Youth About Human Trafficking: A Guide for Youth Caretakers and Individuals Working With Youth.

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News From the Children's Bureau

In this section, find the latest news, resources, and publications from the Administration for Children and Families, the Children's Bureau, and other offices within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as well as a listing of the latest additions to the Children's Bureau website.

Training & Technical Assistance Updates

This section features resources and updates from the Children's Bureau's technical assistance partners to support practices and systems that improve the lives of children and families.

Child Welfare Research

In this section, we highlight recent studies, literature reviews, and other research on child welfare topics.

  • Study Explores How Positive Parenting Is Defined and Measured

    Study Explores How Positive Parenting Is Defined and Measured

    The term "positive parenting" is frequently used in child welfare research and literature. It is a popular childrearing approach first popularized in the United States in a book by Jane Nelsen, who credits the approach to Rudolf Dreikurs and Alfred Adler. A recent literature review published in the APSAC Advisor, from the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children (APSAC), explores whether the term is defined and measured consistently across its many references.

    The article, "How Is Positive Parenting Defined and Measured? A Review of Literature," identified 517 articles that use the term "positive parenting" in the title or abstract and measured the concept of positive parenting as a variable in the study. Researchers gathered information about the use of the term using three questions:

    • Were the three founders of the parenting approach referenced?
    • How was the term conceptually defined?
    • How was the construct measured?

    Results indicate that the founders were mentioned in only 6 of the 517 studies. In addition, the majority of the studies (two-thirds) did not provide a conceptual definition of positive parenting. The studies that did provide a definition highlighted behaviors that the review authors organized into seven categories:

    • Warmth and positive regard
    • Investment of time and attention and engagement
    • Discipline
    • Readability
    • Specific parenting behaviors (such as eating meals together or listening)
    • Teaching and education
    • Miscellaneous  

    The article highlighted the following key findings: 

    • The omission of a conceptual definition of positive parenting in the majority of studies suggests that the term is being used in a vague and generic way.
    • The two most commonly cited elements of positive parenting were warmth and positive regard and parental involvement and engagement.
    • There is no consensus regarding the measurement of positive parenting.

    While positive parenting is widely used and has a theoretical base, the review's authors conclude that the literature is not coherent in its conceptualization and measurement of the approach. They offer suggestions for next steps, including recommending that (1) researchers who use the term clarify that they are referencing the specific approach to parenting initially outlined by Nelsen, (2) researchers define and measure positive parenting with valid and reliable measurement tools, and (3) a directory of positive parenting resources is created.

    Explore the article and other articles about child welfare topics in the October 2024 issue of the APSAC Advisor.

  • New Reports Detail the State of Kinship Care in the United States

    New Reports Detail the State of Kinship Care in the United States

    Increasingly, child welfare practitioners, leaders, and researchers have recognized the importance of prioritizing a kin-first system in which children remain with family in their communities. Kinship care is an important element of this wider philosophy, as relatives and fictive kin caregivers are the preferred placement option for children who cannot remain safely with their parents. Two new reports from Think of Us, a nonprofit research design lab working to transform the child welfare system, explore the state of kinship care in the United States.

    The first report, Kin, First and Foremost: Challenges, Opportunities, and the Path Forward for Kinship Care, provides concrete recommendations for creating a kin-first system. It is based on insights gathered from 255 youth, parents, and kin; 140 agency staff members; 93 service providers; and 41 legal professionals in California, Indiana, and New Hampshire from August 2022 to August 2023.

    The report is organized into five main categories of kinship care practices:

    • Cross-cutting practices
    • Kin search and engagement
    • Kin placement, approval, and licensing
    • Kin support
    • Kin permanency

    Within each category, the report acknowledges barriers in policies and practices and summarizes recommendations shared by participants. Some of the key recommendations include the following:

    • Expand the definition of "kin" to include fictive kin (those who have close, family-like relationships with the child or family).
    • Streamline approval process for kin caregivers.
    • Provide equal financial support to both licensed and unlicensed kin caregivers.
    • Implement policies that encourage regular kin search.
    • Create an unbiased and culturally competent environment among staff.

    The second report, Kinship Care Landscape: What We Know, What We Don’t, and Where to Go From Here, is a literature review with three primary goals:

    • Summarize existing research about kinship care conducted between 2013 and 2023
    • Identify remaining research gaps
    • Highlight areas where social services, policymakers, and researchers can improve efforts to support children, kin caregivers, and their families

    One of the areas with insufficient research is the experiences of kinship care among diverse families and how factors including race, ethnicity, sexual orientation and gender identity, disability status, socioeconomic status, religion, and location influence kin families' experiences.

    Related item: CBX also covered other Think of Us reports on older youth aging out of foster care. Explore summaries of those reports and findings in the January 2021 and February 2023 issues of CBX.

  • Review Examines the Use of Ombuds in All 50 States

    Review Examines the Use of Ombuds in All 50 States

    A recent review conducted by the Idaho Office of Performance Evaluations in response to a congressional request explores the use of ombuds throughout the United States. The review defines ombuds (synonymous with the term ombudsman) as an independent, impartial public official who receives and investigates complaints about government actions. The report is built on four research questions:

    • What is a children’s ombuds?
    • How many states have child protection ombuds or child advocate offices?
    • What is the scope of services provided by the ombuds?
    • How have other states structured ombuds or child advocate offices?

    Ombuds offices provide oversight and advocacy services for programs related to child protection, foster care, juvenile justice, residential care, child care, and more. State offices often vary in their policies and procedures; however, the United States Ombudsman Association outlines four best practices:

    • Independence from the program the ombuds oversee
    • Impartiality in assessing and resolving complaints
    • Confidentiality protections
    • Credibility in review processes

    Regarding the quantity of ombuds offices, 39 states and the District of Columbia have 49 ombuds, advocate, inspector general, or client services agencies dedicated to children’s services. Four states have a general government ombuds that includes children’s services, and seven states do not have an ombuds office: Alabama, Idaho, Mississippi, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, and Wyoming.

    Most states located their child protection ombuds or other offices within the executive branch. There were seven common services provided by the ombuds in the 39 states with offices dedicated to children's services:

    • Investigate complaints
    • Provide information on available services
    • Resolve complaints
    • Advocate for the client or complainant
    • Advocate for system outcomes
    • Make policy recommendations
    • Create public reports of child welfare performance

    Explore the report, Child Protection Ombuds: A 50 State Review, for more information, including details about specific state offices. You can also read Information Gateway's From Complaint to Resolution: Understanding the Child Welfare Grievance Process, which addresses many of the challenges experienced by families involved with the child protective services system and highlights the available grievance channels, including ombuds offices. 

Strategies and Tools for Practice

This section of CBX offers publications, articles, reports, toolkits, and other resources that provide evidence-based strategies or other concrete help to child welfare and related professionals.

  • New 'What Parents Say About…' Publications From the Children's Trust Fund Alliance

    New 'What Parents Say About…' Publications From the Children's Trust Fund Alliance

    To improve child welfare processes and policies, agencies and leaders must work with families with lived experience who understand the system's current strengths and weaknesses. The Children's Trust Fund Alliance, a prevention-focused organization working toward child welfare system changes, elevates the voices of those with lived experience in its What Parents Think About… publications series.

    Each publication incorporates quotes and insights from parents on specific child welfare topics. Two recently published publications explore the topics of mandating reporting and community-based approaches.

    What Parents Say About Supporting Families Rather Than Reporting Them: Changing Mandating Reporting Policies and Practice provides information on the following topics:

    • Recognizing the harm that unnecessary child protective services reports cause
    • Improving mandating reporting policies and practices so that fewer families experience unnecessary investigations
    • Shifting the focus of child welfare from surveillance to support
    • Helping caregivers access community resources and keeping children safely at home with their families

    The brief includes quotes and stories from parents about their experiences with child protective services investigation processes as well as parent recommendations to improve mandated reporting policies and practices. The following are key recommendations:

    • Provide parent mentors to support and advocate for families
    • Create parent advisory groups to inform policy and process improvements
    • Expand training for social workers on trauma, parent engagement, cultural competence, mental health, and substance use

    What Parents Say About Building a 21st Century Community-Based Approach to Strengthening Families explores a socioecological, public health approach to prevention. It also includes quotes and stories from parents and features the following sections:

    • Suggestions for how service providers, leaders, and others can partner with parents and view them with a strengths-based lens
    • Recommendations for how parents, service providers, communities, and leaders can work together to build a child and family well-being system that includes community-based prevention programs and resources
    • Information on the importance of access to resources and supports using a socioecological and public health approach

    Explore the briefs and the Children's Trust Fund Alliance website for more information.

  • Searchable Database Outlines Legislation on Child Support and Family Law

    Searchable Database Outlines Legislation on Child Support and Family Law

    The National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) offers a database that tracks state legislation related to child support and family law. Because families involved with child welfare are often also involved with family law and child support systems, child welfare professionals can use the database as a tool to support cross-system collaboration.

    The Child Support and Family Law Legislation Database tracks legislation from 2012 to the present and is updated weekly. It is searchable by the following topics:

    • Child support prevention
    • Custody and visitation
    • Custody and visitation – grandparents
    • Custody and visitation – military parents
    • Economic stability
    • Enforcement
    • Enforcement – intercepts, asset seizure
    • Enforcement – licenses
    • Family law
    • Family violence collaboration
    • Father engagement
    • Guidelines
    • Guidelines – adjustments
    • Guidelines – termination of support
    • Health care coverage
    • Healthy family relationships
    • Implementation/administration
    • Other/miscellaneous
    • Parentage

    The database webpage offers descriptions of each topic. NCSL also provides a comprehensive user guide to help users navigate its more than 50 active legislation-tracking databases. 

    Related item: Read "Legislation Database Provides Child Welfare Legislation from 2012 to Present" in the September 2024 issue of CBX to learn about another NCSL resource. 

  • Guide on How to Talk to Youth About Human Trafficking

    Guide on How to Talk to Youth About Human Trafficking

    A new guide for caregivers and those working with youth provides essential information on human trafficking to help caring adults prevent exploitation and protect vulnerable children. Part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Blue Campaign—a national initiative designed to educate the public, law enforcement, and industry professionals about human trafficking—How to Talk to Youth About Human Trafficking explains what trafficking is, how to recognize the signs in youth, and what actions to take if trafficking or exploitation is suspected.

    The guide highlights various forms of human trafficking, including labor and sex trafficking, and breaks down how traffickers exploit the vulnerabilities of young people. It provides practical tips for identifying red flags, such as sudden changes in behavior, unexplained absences, or relationships with controlling adults.

    A key component of the guide focuses on supporting youth in building life skills that may help prevent trafficking. This includes fostering self-esteem, teaching critical decision-making, and encouraging healthy peer relationships—essential factors that can help youth protect themselves from traffickers. The guide also stresses the importance of creating a safe environment for open communication where youth feel comfortable discussing sensitive topics related to exploitation. It offers tips for discussing the risks of general exploitation in an age-appropriate manner that emphasizes support and safety.

    The guide outlines options for how to report signs of trafficking or exploitation and tips to help caregivers and professionals respond appropriately to potential trafficking situations so youth can receive the help and protection they need.

    The guide is also available in Spanish, promoting accessibility for a broader audience. As part of the Blue Campaign, this resource seeks to build community awareness and strengthen efforts to combat human trafficking nationwide. For more information, explore the Blue Campaign's resources.

Resources

In this section, we present interesting resources, such as websites, videos, journals, funding or scholarship opportunities, or other materials, that can be used in the field or with families.

  • Resources to Help Protect Children From Grooming

    Resources to Help Protect Children From Grooming

    RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network), the nation's largest antisexual violence organization, created the comprehensive Lean On Me video series and guidebook to help caregivers safeguard children from online and in-person grooming and support healing from sexual abuse. The five-episode video series and guide were designed to provide essential information and practical guidance for parents, guardians, and anyone involved in a child's care. Episodes include the following:

    • Episode 1, "Safeguarding Children: Online Grooming," focuses on safeguarding children from online dangers and teaches caregivers how to recognize and mitigate safety risks associated with digital platforms.
    • Episode 2, "Safeguarding Children: In-Person Grooming," addresses keeping children safe within the home and community and emphasizes the importance of creating secure environments.
    • Episode 3, "How to Respond When a Child Discloses," provides guidance to caregivers on how to respond when a child discloses abuse, including strategies for approaching such situations with sensitivity and care.
    • Episode 4, "Supporting Child Survivors of Sexual Abuse," provides strategies for caring for children who have experienced sexual abuse, with a focus on supporting their emotional and psychological healing.
    • Episode 5, "Continuous Healing & Self Care," offers practical ways to support continuous healing and emphasizes the importance of a caregiver's self-care to maintain their well-being while supporting the child.

    The guidebook provides detailed lesson plans for each episode and includes a variety of supplemental information and resources.

    These resources are trauma-informed, survivor-centered, and aligned with principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. To learn more, visit RAINN's website.

  • Grief Support and Resources for Parents and Caregivers

    Grief Support and Resources for Parents and Caregivers

    The Dougy Center is an Oregon-based nonprofit committed to providing grief support to children, youth, and their families and training the individuals and organizations who support them. Its website offers a topically broad collection of multimedia resources and toolkits for people of all ages experiencing or caring for others who are experiencing grief. Information is available/sortable for kids, teens, young adults, parents and caregivers, and supporters, and many resources are available in Spanish. For example, the following resources may be helpful to parents who are looking for ways to support their grieving children and their own self-care in challenging times:

    The website also provides a searchable directory of grief support services, the Grief Out Loud podcast, education and training resources for professionals, and more.

    Since its founding in 1982, the Dougy Center has become an internationally recognized authority on childhood bereavement, and it has helped thousands of people worldwide find hope and healing through its peer grief support model. Explore the Dougy Center's website to learn more.

Training and Conferences

Find trainings, workshops, webinars, and other opportunities for professionals and families to learn about how to improve the lives of children and youth as well as a listing of upcoming events and conferences.

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