Chicago Childrens Advocacy Center

COMMUNITY PROJECT FUNDING/CONGRESSIONALLY DIRECTED SPENDING - CONSTRUCTION

WITH FUNDING THROUGH THE OVC 2024 INTEGRATED SERVICES FOR MINOR VICTIMS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING, THE CHICAGO CHILDRENS ADVOCACY CENTER LOCATED IN CHICAGO, ILLINOIS PROPOSES A PROJECT TITLED EXPANDED AND ENHANCED SERVICES FOR MINOR VICTIMS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN CHICAGO. THE PRIMARY PURPOSE IS TO ENHANCE AND EXPAND SERVICES TO A GROWING NUMBER OF MINOR CHICAGO TRAFFICKING VICTIMS INCLUDING LABOR TRAFFICKING VICTIMS. THE PRIMARY ACTIVITIES INCLUDE CLIENT INTAKE, CASE MANAGEMENT, 24-HOUR CRISIS INTERVENTION, ONSITE CHILDCARE, TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE, MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES AND VICTIM ADVOCACY. THE HT SPECIALISTS PROVIDE REFERRALS TO COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO PROVIDE SERVICES INCLUDING ACCESS TO HOUSING, NECESSITIES, MENTAL HEALTH, SUBSTANCE USE TREATMENT, MEDICAL CARE, LIFE SKILLS TRAINING, EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE, LEGAL ADVOCACY, AND OTHER ASSISTANCE TO SUPPORT THEIR INCREASED HOUSING AND ECONOMIC STABILITY. THE EXPECTED OUTCOMES ARE TO SUSTAIN SERVICES TO CHILDREN IDENTIFIED AS VICTIMS OR AT RISK OF SEX TRAFFICKING, EXPAND SERVICES TO CHILDREN IDENTIFIED AS VICTIMS OR AT RISK OF LABOR TRAFFICKING, ENSURE THE IMMEDIATE SAFETY AND WELL-BEING OF CHILDREN IDENTIFIED AS VICTIMS OR AT RISK OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING, ENSURE CHILDREN IDENTIFIED AS VICTIMS OR AT RISK OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING RECEIVE WRAPAROUND SERVICES AND SUPPORTS, ENSURE CHILDREN IDENTIFIED AS VICTIMS OR AT RISK OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING RECEIVE WRAPAROUND SERVICES AND SUPPORTS, ENSURE CHILDREN IDENTIFIED AS VICTIMS OR AT RISK OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING HAVE ACCESS TO TRAUMA-INFORMED THERAPY SERVICES, AND ENHANCE KNOWLEDGE OF SEX AND LABOR TRAFFICKING AMONG CHICAGOCAC STAFF AND ITS MDT PARTNERS. THE GEOGRAPHIC SERVICE AREA IS CHICAGO WITH A TARGET AUDIENCE OF MINOR VICTIMS OF SEX AND LABOR TRAFFICKING. THERE ARE NO SUBRECIPIENTS FOR THIS AWARD.

CO-LOCATION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND SURVIVOR SERVICES

CHICAGO CHILDREN’S ADVOCACY CENTER (CHICAGOCAC) AND ITS MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAM (ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES, CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT, COOK COUNTY STATE’S ATTORNEY’S OFFICE AND LURIE CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL) PROPOSE TO IMPLEMENT A COLLABORATIVE TREATMENT MODEL IN THE CITY OF CHICAGO TO PROVIDE AN EFFECTIVE TRAUMA-INFORMED AND VICTIM-CENTERED APPROACH TO HELP CHILDREN AND FAMILIES HEAL FROM THE TRAUMA OF SEXUAL ABUSE AND OTHER SERIOUS MALTREATMENT. IN CHICAGO, THE RESPONSE SYSTEM FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH WITH PSB MAKES IT CHALLENGING FOR PROVIDERS TO ENGAGE FAMILIES IN HIGH QUALITY, COMPREHENSIVE AND ACCESSIBLE SERVICES AND TREATMENT TO RESTORE THEIR LIVES. CHICAGOCAC CONTINUES TO IMPROVE THE RESPONSE SYSTEM EFFORTS TO SUPPORT CHILDREN AND FAMILIES IMPACTED BY PSB THROUGH THEIR COLLABORATIONS, TRAININGS AND BEST-PRACTICE INTERVENTIONS. CHICAGOCAC’S MENTAL HEALTH TEAM HAS THREE THERAPISTS TRAINED IN PROBLEMATIC SEXUAL BEHAVIOR-COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY (PSB-CBT) ADMINISTERED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA AND IMPLEMENTS THE GROUP AND FAMILY PSB-CBT MODALITIES, BUT THE DEMAND FOR SERVICES EXCEEDS CAPACITY. TO INCREASE ACCESS TO THE VITAL SERVICES AND TREATMENT TO MEET THE NEEDS OF CHILDREN WITH PSB, CHICAGOCAC WILL HIRE AND TRAIN A PROGRAM MANAGER AND THERAPIST IN EVIDENCE-BASED GROUP AND FAMILY MODELS OF THE TREATMENT FOR SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN WITH SEXUAL BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS AND THEIR FAMILIES, WHICH WILL ALLOW CHICAGOCAC TO OFFER UP TO FOUR GROUPS AT ONE TIME AND INCREASE THE MAXIMUM CAPACITY TO UP TO 40 CHILDREN AT A TIME OR OVER 150 CHILDREN ANNUALLY. ADDITIONALLY, THE EXPANSION WILL ALLOW CHICAGOCAC TO ADD 15-17 FAMILY TREATMENT SLOTS (AT ANY GIVEN TIME), PROVIDE FAMILY SERVICES FOR OVER 45 FAMILIES AND MAKE REFERRALS FOR TREATMENT TO ONE OF ITS 29 PARTNER AGENCIES THROUGH ITS PATHH (PROVIDING ACCESS TOWARD HOPE AND HEALING) COLLABORATION. CHICAGOCAC HAS DEVELOPED TRAININGS ON WORKING WITH CHILDREN AND YOUTH WITH PSB TO FACILITATE TO TREATMENT PROVIDERS, LAW ENFORCEMENT, CHILD WELFARE AND OTHER PROFESSIONALS AND PARENTS. CHICAGOCAC’S LEADERSHIP AND COLLABORATIVE APPROACH WILL ENSURE AN EFFECTIVE RESPONSE SYSTEM IS ESTABLISHED, IMPLEMENTED, AND MAINTAINED TO PROVIDE CHILDREN AND YOUTH WHO ENGAGE IN PSB WITH TREATMENT TO PREVENT AND RESPOND TO CHILD ABUSE.

PROVISION OF CASE COORDINATION AND WRAPAROUND SERVICES FOR MINOR VICTIMS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN CHICAGO