HHS Victim Services Strategic Plan FY 2017
THE NEED FOR REPORT LANGUAGE
The Committee understands that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), in conjunction with other federal agencies, will implement a new strategic plan for victim services for human trafficking victims. The Committee believes such work is long overdue and should apply to all human trafficking victims. HHS, along with their federal partners, should ensure that implementation of this strategic plan includes funding for housing of human trafficking victims, extended case management services, and legal services.
Need
In January 2014, the President released the Federal Strategic Action Plan on Services for Victims of Human Trafficking in the United States (2013-2017), a strategic plan for victims’ services across the U.S. Government. This five-year plan that seeks to:
- Align efforts by promoting strategic and coordinated services for victims at the federal, regional, state, territorial, tribal and local levels;
- Improve understanding by expanding and coordinating human trafficking-related research, data, and evaluation to support evidence-based victim services;
- Expand access to services by providing outreach, training, and technical assistance to increase victim identification and expand availability of services; and
- Improve outcomes by promoting effective, culturally-appropriate, trauma-informed services that improve the short- and long-term health, safety, and well-being of victims.
Solution
Given that the strategic plan will soon be in its final year, we request that the Committee include report language that ensures sufficient funding for critically needed assistance for housing, extended case management services, and legal services, three areas where the existing federal response is lacking. It is imperative to ensure these critical needs are funded properly as the various agencies look to affirming their commitment to fighting this crime.
Proposed Report Language
Office of the Secretary
Human Trafficking Strategic Plan. — The Committee understands that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), in conjunction with other federal agencies, will implement a new strategic plan for victim services for human trafficking victims. The Committee believes such work is long overdue and should apply to all human trafficking victims. HHS, along with their federal partners, should ensure that implementation of this strategic plan includes funding for housing of human trafficking victims, extended case management services, and legal services.