HHS Victim Services Strategic Plan FY 2016

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 & SOLUTION

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. We request that the Committee include report language that ensures that this plan provide funding for critically needed assistance for housing, extended case management services, and legal services, three areas where the existing federal response is lacking.

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.