Georgia Center For Child Advocacy Inc

PROJECT INTERSECT: TRAUMA-FOCUSED TREATMENT AND SERVICES FOR YOUTH AND FAMILIES WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED COMMERCIAL SEXUAL EXPLOITATION AND TRAFFICKING - PROJECT INTERSECT: TRAUMA-FOCUSED TREATMENT AND SERVICES FOR YOUTH AND FAMILIES WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED COMMERCIAL SEXUAL EXPLOITATION AND TRAFFICKING, WILL INCREASE ACCESS TO EFFECTIVE TRAUMA-FOCUSED EVIDENCE-BASED TREATMENT AND SERVICES SYSTEMS FOR YOUTH AND THEIR FAMILIES WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED COMMERCIAL SEXUAL EXPLOITATION AND TRAFFICKING (CSET) AND WHO ARE AT HIGH RISK OF CSET IN GEORGIA. YOUTH WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED CSET (Y-CSET) HAVE VERY RATES OF TRAUMA EXPOSURE AND IMPACTS, WITH ESPECIALLY HIGH RATES OF POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER AND SYMPTOMS AS WELL AS ANXIETY, DEPRESSION, AND SUBSTANCE USE PROBLEMS. THERE ARE A NUMBER OF HEALTH DISPARITIES ASSOCIATED WITH CSET. YOUTH OF COLOR, YOUTH FROM LOW-RESOURCE FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES AND LGBTQ YOUTH ARE SIGNIFICANTLY OVER-REPRESENTED AMONG Y-CSET. THERE IS LIMITED AVAILABILITY OF SERVICES ADAPTED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF Y-CSET IN GA. SERVICES ARE NEEDED THAT SPECIFICALLY TARGET KEY GAPS AND CLINICAL NEEDS: ACCESS TO TRAUMA-FOCUSED EVIDENCE-BASED TREATMENT, ESPECIALLY IN RURAL AREAS; TREATMENT TO ADDRESS INTERSECTING TRAUMA IMPACTS AND SUBSTANCE USE PROBLEMS; TREATMENT ADAPTED TO ADDRESS RACIAL TRAUMA; Y-CSET CAREGIVER (FOSTER CAREGIVER/ PARENT) TRAINING AND SUPPORT; TRAUMA-INFORMED CSET-AWARE CONGREGATE CARE/RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT (CC), AND SERVICES FOR YOUTH AT HIGH RISK OF CSET (YHR), WHO OFTEN HAVE COMPARABLE TRAUMA HISTORIES AND SERVICE NEEDS. TO ADDRESS THESE GAPS. PROJECT GOALS/OBJECTIVES ARE AS FOLLOWS: (1) INCREASE ACCESS TO TRAUMA-FOCUSED EVIDENCE-BASED TREATMENT ADAPTED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF Y-CSET AND THEIR FAMILIES (2) INCREASE ACCESS TO EVIDENCE-BASED TREATMENT THAT TARGETS BOTH TRAUMA AND SUBSTANCE USE PROBLEMS, TAILORED AND ADAPTED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF Y-CSET; (3) INCREASE ACCESS TO TRAUMA-FOCUSED EVIDENCE-BASED TREATMENTS ADAPTED FOR YOUTH WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED RACIAL TRAUMA (RT) (4) IMPROVE FOSTER CARE KNOWLEDGE OF TRAUMATIC STRESS, TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE, TRAUMA-FOCUSED TREATMENT, CSET TO BETTER IDENTIFY AND ACHIEVE SAFE, SUPPORTIVE, AND SUSTAINED PLACEMENTS FOR Y-CSET (5) IMPROVE SYSTEMS PROFESSIONAL WORKFORCE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS REGARDING TRAUMATIC STRESS, TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE, TRAUMA-FOCUSED TREATMENT, AND CSET TO BETTER RESPOND TO THE NEEDS OF Y-CSET IN CC, PARTICULARLY YOUTH IN CSET-SPECIFIC PROGRAMS (6) INCREASE ACCESS TO TRAUMA-FOCUSED EVIDENCE-BASED TREATMENTS AND INTERVENTIONS FOR YHR. TO ACCOMPLISH THESE GOALS, COMMUNITY OUTREACH, AWARENESS AND SERVICE DELIVERY WILL BE CONDUCTED THROUGHOUT THE STATE (13 DFCS REGIONS, 900 INDIVIDUALS), INCLUDING TRAUMA-FOCUSED COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY (TF-CBT) ADAPTED FOR Y-CSET (225 YOUTH), TF-CBT ADAPTED FOR YOUTH WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED RT (40 YOUTH), RISK REDUCTION THROUGH FAMILY THERAPY ADAPTED FOR Y-CSET (150 YOUTH),TF-CBT WITH YHR (225 YOUTH) IN ADDITION, NCTSN RESOURCE PARENT CURRICULUM ADAPTED FOR CSET WILL BE DELIVERED TO 220 CAREGIVERS IN ALL 13 REGIONS, AND THINK TRAUMA ADAPTED FOR Y-CSET AND CC WILL BE DELIVERED TO 105 STAFF OF OF 3 CSET SPECIALIZED CC SETTINGS. IN ALL, 1825 YOUTH AND SERVICE SYSTEMS PROFESSIONALS WILL BE SERVED (170 Y1, 350 Y2, 435 Y3-5).

PROJECT INTERCSECT

INTERSECTIONS: TRAUMA-INFORMED CONTINUUM OF SERVICES

THE GEORGIA CENTER FOR CHILD ADVOCACY PROPOSES TO IMPLEMENT THE ENVISION PROJECT: SPECIALIZED SERVICES FOR VICTIMS OF TRAFFICKING. THE PURPOSE IS TO ENHANCE THE WELLBEING OF VICTIMS OF TRAFFICKING BY INCREASING AND IMPROVING EDUCATIONAL AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES, SAFETY AND SECURITY, INDEPENDENCE, AND SELF-SUFFICIENCY. THE PROPOSED PROJECT WILL PROVIDE TRAFFICKING VICTIMS IN THE ATLANTA METROPOLITAN AREA AN OPPORTUNITY TO DEVELOP SKILLS AND ENGAGE IN EXPERIENCES TO SUPPORT EDUCATIONAL ENGAGEMENT AND ACHIEVEMENT, DEVELOP EMPLOYMENT SKILLS TO SUPPORT FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE, PROMOTE LIFE SKILLS AND PREPARATION FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING, AND ENHANCE AND ENRICH PERSONAL GROWTH AND COMMUNITY CONNECTEDNESS. PROJECT ACTIVITIES INCLUDE DEVELOPING, IMPLEMENTING, AND DELIVERING CURRICULA TO TRAFFICKED YOUTH WITHIN THESE 4 CORE AREAS: EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT, EMPLOYMENT READINESS, LIFE SKILLS, PERSONAL GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. THE ADVANCED PROGRAMMING ACTIVITIES THROUGH CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INVOLVES INDIVIDUALIZED CAREER TRAINING AND EXPERIENCES, TO SUPPORT MINOR VICTIMS OF TRAFFICKING. THE PROJECT ALSO SEEKS TO ENHANCE CAREGIVER SUPPORT BY PROVIDING MONTHLY CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUPS TO THE FAMILIES OF TRAFFICKING VICTIMS. THE ENVISION PROJECT WILL ALSO CONDUCT COMMUNITY AWARENESS AND PROFESSIONAL TRAININGS TO IMPROVE IDENTIFICATION, FACILITATE COLLABORATIVE RESPONSE, AND STRENGTHEN INTERVENTION. EXPECTED OUTCOMES INCLUDE: IMPROVED VICTIM WELL-BEING; IMPROVED EDUCATIONAL ENGAGEMENT, EMPLOYMENT READINESS, LIFE SKILLS, IDENTIFICATION OF STRENGTHS AND INTERESTS, EDUCATIONAL AND EMPLOYMENT ATTAINMENT; VICTIMS AND CAREGIVERS CONNECTED, SAFE, AND SUPPORTED; REGULAR ATTENDANCE AND SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF SERVICE.

INTERSECTIONS: TRAUMA-INFORMED CONTINUUM OF SERVICES

THE ENVISION PROJECT: SPECIALIZED SERVICES FOR VICTIMS OF TRAFFICKING

THE ENVISION PROJECT: SPECIALIZED SERVICES FOR VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC MINOR SEX TRAFFICKING

HEALTHY BOUNDARIES HEALTHY FAMILIES: SUPPORTING EFFECTIVE INTERVENTIONS FOR YOUTH WITH SEXUAL BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS

CENTERING OUR MARGINS: EXPANDING EVIDENCE-BASED SUPPORT FOR YOUTH WITH PROBLEMATIC OR ILLEGAL SEXUAL BEHAVIOR, AND ENGAGING FAMILIES AS PARTNERS IN OUR RESPONSE YOUTH ENGAGEMENT IN PROBLEMATIC SEXUAL BEHAVIOR REPRESENTS A SIGNIFICANT PUBLIC HEALTH CONCERN WITH SERIOUS IMPLICATIONS FOR THE WELL-BEING OF CHILD VICTIMS, YOUTH WHO ENGAGE IN PROBLEMATIC SEXUAL BEHAVIOR, THEIR FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES. CHILDREN WHO EXPERIENCE SEXUAL ABUSE, INCLUDING SEXUAL ABUSE BY OTHER CHILDREN, ARE AT INCREASED RISK FOR A WIDE RANGE OF NEGATIVE OUTCOMES INCLUDING POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS, DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY, AND SUBSTANCE USE PROBLEMS, AS WELL AS DELINQUENCY, ACADEMIC PROBLEMS, SCHOOL DROP-OUT, PHYSICAL HEALTH PROBLEMS, AND RE-VICTIMIZATION. CHILDREN WHO ENGAGE IN PROBLEMATIC SEXUAL BEHAVIOR ALSO FACE SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES AND ARE AT RISK FOR A RANGE OF NEGATIVE OUTCOMES INCLUDING PROSECUTION, SEPARATION FROM FAMILY, EXPULSION FROM SCHOOL AND OTHER SETTINGS WHERE CHILDREN ARE PRESENT, ISOLATION FROM PEERS, AND SIGNIFICANT STIGMA AND SHAME. FURTHERMORE, FAMILIES, ESPECIALLY RACIAL AND ETHNIC MINORITIES, ARE MARGINALIZED IN COMMUNITY AND SYSTEM RESPONSE. THE CENTERING OUR MARGINS PROJECT, THROUGH THE OFFICE OF JUVENILE JUSTICE AND DELINQUENCY PREVENTION SUPPORTING EFFECTIVE INTERVENTIONS FOR YOUTH WITH PROBLEMATIC OR ILLEGAL SEXUAL BEHAVIOR FEDERAL FUNDING OPPORTUNITY, SEEKS TO PROMOTE THE SAFETY AND WELL-BEING OF FAMILIES, SPECIFICALLY CHILDREN 12 AND UNDER WHO ENGAGE IN PROBLEMATIC SEXUAL BEHAVIORS, AS WELL AS THOSE OF CHILD VICTIMS AND THEIR FAMILIES IN THE GREATER ATLANTA AREA. THE PROJECT HAS FOUR COMPONENTS: (1) EXPANSION OF TARGETED EVIDENCE-BASED TREATMENT (PROBLEMATIC SEXUAL BEHAVIOR-COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY) TO ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF YOUTH WHO ENGAGE IN PROBLEMATIC OR ILLEGAL SEXUAL BEHAVIOR; (2) COORDINATED EVIDENCE-BASED TREATMENT SERVICES FOR CHILD VICTIMS AND THEIR FAMILIES (TRAUMA-FOCUSED COGNITIVE-BEHAVIORAL THERAPY); (3) A FAMILY-INCLUSIVE DEDICATED MULTI-DISCIPLINARY TEAM, COMPRISED OF THE ACTING YOUTH, CAREGIVERS/PARENTS, AND A FULL SPECTRUM OF PROFESSIONALS AND CHILD-SERVING SYSTEMS THAT MEETS REGULARLY TO ENSURE COMMUNICATION AND COORDINATION OF SERVICES AND RESPONSE, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND PUBLIC SAFETY; AND (4) THERAPEUTIC FAMILY ADVOCACY TO ENHANCE YOUTH AND CAREGIVER WELL-BEING AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF YOUTH AND CAREGIVER PARTNERSHIP BOARDS TO ENLIST FAMILIES AS CO-LEADERS IN OUR COMMUNITY AND SYSTEM RESPONSE. THE PROJECT WILL SERVE 80 CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES IN YEAR 1 (40 VICTIM CHILDREN, 40 ACTING CHILDREN) AND 100 CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES IN YEARS 2 AND 3 (50 VICTIM CHILDREN, 50 ACTING CHILDREN PER YEAR). TREATMENT ENGAGEMENT AND COMPLETION IS EXPECTED TO RESULT IN IMPROVED CHILD AND FAMILY FUNCTIONING, REDUCED RECIDIVISM/RE-OFFENSE AND REVICITMIZATION, PLACEMENT STABILITY, AND SAFE FAMILY REUNIFICATION.

COMMUNITY PROJECT: SERVICES, EDUCATION, AND OUTREACH TO SUPPORT FAMILIES AFFECTED BY ABUSE OR TRAUMA.