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>View discussions about this entry Country: United States
Organization: Florida Coalition Against Human Trafficking
Sector Focus - Civil society
Year the initative began (yyyy) - 2004
YouTube Upload - Place your video embed code here from YouTube, Google Video and other video sharing websites. How to embed a video from YouTube. FCAHT
Project URL: http://www.stophumantrafficking.org
Positioning in the Mosaic of solutions
What is your signature innovation, your new idea, in one sentence? - The Florida Coalition Against Human Trafficking (FCAHT) works to coalesce international, national, state, and local resources in an effort to create and implement a comprehensive strategy combating human trafficking around the world.
Describe your innovation. What makes your idea unique and different than others doing work in the field? - The Florida Coalition Against Human Trafficking (FCAHT) spearheads a holistic, comprehensive model used to combat human trafficking. The model is comprised of five major components:
• Education and Awareness: Paramount to the fight to eradicate human trafficking is the need to bring the issue to the forefront of community consciousness. FCAHT conducts numerous outreach campaigns to equip community members with the knowledge to identify human trafficking victims and report their suspicions to the appropriate authorities. • Victim Services: Upon identification of a human trafficking victim, FCAHT initiates a continuum of services for the victim. The continuum of care incorporates basic needs such as shelter, food and medical attention and spans to encompass victim advocacy, financial literacy, legal representation, and job preparation. • Policy Development: FCAHT is continually involved with lawmakers in an effort to bolster existing laws and further empower human trafficking victims. • Technical Assistance and Training: In an effort to create a cohesive response to identifying and responding to cases of human trafficking, FCAHT provides ongoing training to professionals serving within the following capacity: law enforcement, prosecutors, non-governmental organizations, healthcare workers, and faith-based organizations. • Research Partnerships: FCAHT participates in research projects striving to develop promising practices in the delivery of services to victims of human trafficking. FCAHT is also extending the use of this comprehensive model to solidify partnerships with countries in South and Central America and Europe. Delivery Model: How do you implement your innovation and apply it to the challenge/problem you are addressing? - The driving force of all FCAHT activities is the identification and rescue of victims and restoration of their human rights. Key community stakeholders frequently call upon FCAHT to conduct presentations and traings. Often, at the conclusion of these activities, a participant will provide information regarding a potential human trafficking situation which ultimately leads to the identification and rescue of a victim or victims. FCAHT is also proactive in rescuing victims through self-intiated street outreach activities. Working in tandem with law enforcement, FCAHT serves to assist with the victim identification by utilizing interview skills developed specifically to acknowledge and overcome the unique fears instilled in human trafficking victims. Once victims are rescued, FCAHT responds to restore their human rights.
How do you plan to grow your innovation? - Capacity building is a priority as the victim population FCAHT serves continues to grow and subsequently demand additional resources. The creation of innovative partnerships around the world will serve as the foundation from which FCAHT will build upon. FCAHT currently has six operational sites throughout the State of Florida. FCAHT continues to solidify new partnerships that will enable FCAHT to develop a permanent presence in other communities throughout Florida as well as nationally and internationally. This expansion will ultimately lead to the identification and rescue of more victims.
Because the provision of shelter for human trafficking victims remains a prominent challenge, FCAHT, in collaboration with community partners, is working to open a crisis shelter offering temporary intervention and counseling services necessary to stabilize a victim. Once the victim is stabilized, movement to FCAHT’s current long-term housing facilities will occur and the full service continuum of resources will be offered to meet the self-sufficiency goals set forth by the victims. Do you have any existing partnerships, and if so, how do you create them? - The comprehensive model FCAHT created and implements is a reflection of systematic institutional, interdisciplinary and communal action. The diverse partnerships form a cohesive continuum that eliminates system fragmentation, partial interventions, and duplicated efforts. FCAHT continues to solidify new collaborations in an effort to harness collective synergistic resources spanning from grassroots organizations to international agencies. Prominent partnerships include: Florida Office of the Attorney General, Florida State University, Ricky Martin Foundation, Organization of the Americas, and KlaasKids Foundation.
Due to the experience, expertise and impeccable reputation FCAHT staff have garnered in the field of human trafficking, many local, state, national, and international leaders reach out to FCAHT for guidance, and mentoring. FCAHT is generous with knowledge and remains a valuable source for those combating human trafficking. In this role, FCAHT expands its partnerships and ability to end global slavery. The work of FCAHT has been recognized by: President George W. Bush, Attorney General John Ashcroft, State Department, Department of Justice, and Department of Health and Human Services. Provide one sentence describing your impact/intended impact. - Through education, awareness, research participation and legislative impact, FCAHT has rescued and restored the human rights of more than 300 victims of human trafficking and is currently serving 84 victims.
How many people have you served or plan to serve? - Since inception in 2004, FCAHT has served over 300 human trafficking victims and is currently providing 84 victims with comprehensive case management. Victim identification is unpredictable thus the projection of victims FCAHT plans to serve in the future is difficult. FCAHT resources have been galvanized to rescue one victim from a domestic servitude situation and have also been launched to rescue over fifty victims upon discovery by law enforcement. This array of demand upon FCAHT resources correlates to the unpredictability of victim identification and rescue. As such, precise predictability is replaced with experiential planning and the development of operational readiness strategies capable of responding to a broad spectrum of rescue scenarios.
Please list any other measures of the impact of your innovation? - The success of FCAHT is manifested in the perseverance and accomplishments of the victims we serve. FCAHT takes great pride in knowing victim empowerment and achievement is leveraged through efforts to offer educational coursework, parenting classes, financial literacy, employment, counseling, and several other services. FCAHT strives to guide each victim’s passage to healing and independence. Contributing to their successful journey truly fuels the passion and dedication of FCAHT.
Exactly who are the beneficiaries of your innovation? - Victims of human trafficking are the primary beneficiary of the work FCAHT conducts. FCAHT not only serves to rescue these victims but also becomes the voice advocating for those who continue to remain invisible and silenced. And, if knowledge truly does equate to power, those hearing the voice of the victim through the relentless efforts of FCAHT also become beneficiaries because it is with that knowledge that they too are called into action and join the fight to end global slavery.
How is your initiative financed (or how do you expect your initiative will be financed)? - FCAHT initiatives are funded with federal grants, local partnerships, and private donations. Additionally, the community responds to the needs of the victims we serve. When called upon, community members have donated items such as: furniture, clothes, dental care, haircuts, toys, bicycles, dishes, and many other furnishings. FCAHT also holds fundraisers which increase awareness while simultaneously assist with financing operations.
If known, provide information on your finances and organization - Annual budget;
Annual revenue generated; Number of staff: The current budget for FCAHT is $782,989. Grant guidelines mandate that $400,000 of the annual budget be distributed to subcontractors identified by FCAHT as grassroots organizations working to combat human trafficking through education and/or direct services. FCAHT has 7.875 staff members and several volunteers. What is the potential demand for your innovation? - The current budget for FCAHT is $782,989. Grant guidelines mandate that $400,000 of the annual budget be distributed to subcontractors identified by FCAHT as grassroots organizations working to combat human trafficking through education and/or direct services. FCAHT has 7.875 staff members and several volunteers.
What are the main barriers to financial sustainability? - Local, state, and federal politics and policies influence financial sustainability, as do social attitudes. Overcoming negativity in these arenas is often difficult and linked to the financial well-being of an organization or cause. FCAHT works to mitigate negativity and barriers through education, transparency of operations, collaboration and the avoidance of duplicative efforts. The proper management of resources, coupled with successful outcomes, has lead to the financial sustainability of FCAHT.
What is the origin of this innovation? Tell us your story. - Anna I Rodriguez served as a victim advocate with the Collier County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) and an Outreach Coordinator for the Immokalee Shelter for Abuse Women in Collier County, Florida. During her 10 years of service with the CCSO, first as a volunteer and then as a Victim Advocate, Anna accumulated nearly 300 hours of numerous trainings and development programs offered by different law enforcement agencies. In Immokalee, she created a “Home Visitation” program to follow up on cases served by her. Implementing this program resulted in open lines of communication with all sectors of the community. She earned the respect and cooperation of Hispanics, Haitians, African Americans and Caucasians alike.
Her first experience with a Human Trafficking case was in 1999; U.S. vs. Tecum. It developed from a “home visitation” follow up on a domestic violence incident. She noticed the presence of a young female eventually identified as a victim of human trafficking. Anna, without formal human trafficking training, recognized “red flags” presented in the home and took action to rescue the victim and prosecute the trafficker. Today the Tecum case serves as a major case study by agencies including: USDOJ, FSU, Croft Institute for International and New York Times. In recognition of Anna’s work and dedication, she was invited as part of the Tecum case team along with Federal Prosecutors and the victim by Former Attorney General John Ashcroft, to be recognized for her contributions and to witness the signing of the “T VISA” in Washington DC. Please provide a personal bio. Note this may be used in Changemakers marketing material - After discovering her first human trafficking victim in 1999, Anna Rodriguez continued to work on human trafficking cases in SW Florida. Anna, in 2004, founded the Florida Coalition Against Human Trafficking in Naples, Florida. Today, FCAHT has offices in Miami, Tampa, Jacksonville, Shalimar and headquarters in Bonita Springs. FCAHT established three Rescue and Restore Coalitions in Florida as well as two Human Trafficking Task Forces in Lee County and the Panhandle of Florida. FCAHT is a national model replicated throughout the United States.
Contact Information:
Julie Rocco
Grants and Program Director Florida Coalition Against Human Trafficking (NGO) stopmoderndayslavery@gmail.com 3333 Renissance Blvd Suite #200 Bonita Springs Florida 34134 United States Tel: (239)390-3350 Fax: (239)390-3379 Website: www.stophumantrafficking.org Discussions about this entry |
Florida Coalition Against Human Trafficking
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Email - tonyjlabs[at]gmail.com
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Amazing! This is the kind of work that is integrated with communication and action. People are being saved and that is what this important work is all about.
Keep up the great work you are doing.
Thank you,
Armando Hernandez
Jules,
I was just reading the entry by Miami Movement against Human Trafficking. The woman running (apparently by herself) seems to have great ambitions but not enough time or support to take her campaign further. If you offer grant money to organizations that offer education and services, it seems that money will be a recycled need. Are there initiatives within your campaign to act as a sort of micro financier of people doing work that could end up with a product for sale (research papers, documentary film, etc)? Thanks for your time, Brad
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Portland State University, Master of International Management, current student
Julie,
Thank you for the important work you and your organization is doing? I am in Portland, OR and have attended a training about Human Trafficking in our area. It was shocking and very sad. We were told that many victims have no idea where to get help. Mainly because they are so afraid of retribution against themselves or families and in many cases they do not speak English. Do you find the same issues or have you come across other issues in victims finding you?
Thank you,
Matt Flax
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Portland State University, Current Student
Matt,
Victims come to the attention of FCAHT through various avenues. HHS has a hotline number—888-3737-888---staffed by the Polaris Project. FCAHT will receive tips from this hotline that were generated from a call by the victim, a friend of the victim, or a professional having contact with the victim. FCAHT follows up those tips with assistance from local law enforcement.
The expertise of FCAHT is often called upon when a potential victim is identified by law enforcement, a nongovernmental organization, a hospital staff member, etc. FCAHT conducts interviews to help discern the status of the individual and works to develop a rescue strategy should he/she be identified as a victim of human trafficking.
Direct outreach has proved to be a successful approach to identifying and rescuing victims. FCAHT staff will locate geographic regions with a high concentration of potential human trafficking victims. Those areas will be targeted with direct outreach activities and awareness campaigns. Recently, 7 victims were identified and rescued through direct outreach in a migrant field.
Safety is always our primary concern. As such, the location of victims is kept confidential. The language barrier, when presented, is overcome with the use of bilingual staff and translators. Awareness and outreach messages are tailored to the demographics.
I wish you the best with your efforts. Please feel free to contact me directly should you need assistance or want the opportunity to brainstorm ideas for your area.
Be well,
jules
I can tell you from experience that FCAHT puts the victim first! I used to be an employee; now volunteer, and got the great experience of rescuing a victim and assisting her with all of her needs. It is a great feeling! I had to relocate with my husband to the UK and I can tell you.....Human Trafficking does exhist and is growing more everyday because it is a big money maker. You can sell a human being over and over again, and the victims are not seen as "human" by the trafficker; they are seen as money, and money truely is the root of all evil. Please vote for FCAHT!
Yes, we remain commited to serving the needs of victims. Thanks for your support.
jules
This is the best one that I have read!!!
Florida Coalition Against Human Trafficking is doing an EXTRAORDINARY job and they are doing this for the victims, that shows pasion.
Keep it up!