Title
Authorization to Apply for, Accept and Disburse the Office for Victims of Crime 2017 Comprehensive Services for Victims of All Forms of Human Trafficking Grant (Ordinance S-43247)
Description
Request authorization for the City Manager, or designee, to apply for the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) 2017 Comprehensive Services for Victims of All Forms of Human Trafficking grant from the U.S. Department of Justice in an amount not to exceed $750,000 to support comprehensive services to victims of sex trafficking. Further request authorization to enter into agreements with all grant partners to provide services. Further request authorization for the City Treasurer to accept and the City Controller to disburse all funds related to this item if awarded.
Report
Summary
The OVC 2017 Comprehensive Services for Victims of All Forms of Human Trafficking grant opportunity provides funds to enhance the quality and quantity of services available to assist victims of human trafficking by enhancing interagency collaboration and the coordinated community response to victims of human trafficking, and by providing high-quality services that address the individual needs of human trafficking victims. The City must demonstrate a Comprehensive Service Model that provides intensive case management services and other various forms of assistance. The grant is designed to enhance services for adult and minor sex trafficking victims and will provide two caseworker positions to be housed in the City of Phoenix Human Services Department. Services from this grant will support the Phoenix Starfish Place initiative in addition to the City's existing efforts related to human trafficking.
Confirmed partners on this grant include: Arizona State University, the International Rescue Committee, Community Bridges, ALWAYS, and Tumbleweed or UMOM. Potential collaborative partners include Sojourner Center, Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Native American Connections, EMPACT/La Frontera, Catholic Charities, Jewish Family and Child Services, The Society of St. Vincent de Paul, and other non-profit providers of the various services required to be provided under the grant. Each of these partners and potential partners have a strong history of serving human trafficking victims and this grant is intended to fill the gaps in current services.
Financial Impact
The grant requires a 25 percent match, which will be met through the partnership agreements and City staff supervision of the two caseworker positions.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Deanna Jonovich and the Human Services Department.