On Friday, the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) unveiled new resources and prevention initiatives, including over $900,000 in grants for law enforcement agencies across the state. Escambia County will receive one of the grants.
New Resources for Identification and Prevention
DCF Secretary Shevaun Harris, alongside Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Commissioner Mark Glass and other key partners, introduced an assessment, guide and website access designed to better identify potential victims and those at high risk of trafficking:
- Enhanced Early-Detection Assessment: A new Child Welfare Human Trafficking Identification Assessment that will help child protective investigators more effectively identify children who may be at risk of trafficking.
- Community Identification Guide: Developed in collaboration with the University of South Florida, this guide will assist professionals such as teachers and physicians in identifying and reporting potential cases of child exploitation and trafficking.
- Streamlined Website Access: A redesigned online platform where individuals can easily access the Department’s human trafficking parent toolkit, reporting information, and additional resources.
Law Enforcement Funding
To support enforcement efforts, DCF has allocated $900,000 in grant funding to FDLE, Bay County Sheriff’s Office, Bonifay Police Department, Miramar Police Department, City of Daytona Beach, Clay County, and Escambia County.
These funds will go toward:
- Improving assessment and investigation of labor and sex trafficking cases
- Strengthening efforts to investigate and prosecute cases involving trafficked minors
Current Support for Survivors: DCF oversees and licenses 47 beds for child survivors of human trafficking. There are 97 beds in Florida for adult survivors
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- With Governor Ron DeSantis’ appropriation of $4.9 million for emergency beds, an additional 48 emergency beds will be available statewide for human trafficking survivors
Why This Matters
Human trafficking represents one of the most egregious violations of human rights in our society today. It affects some of our most vulnerable populations, including children, and causes immeasurable trauma to its victims.
The initiatives announced matter for several critical reasons:
- Coordinated Response is More Effective: By funding law enforcement while simultaneously developing identification resources and survivor support, Florida is creating a comprehensive approach that addresses prevention, intervention, and recovery.
- Evidence-Based Practices: Dr. Joan Reed highlighted that Florida is implementing “evidence-based practices to prevent trafficking,” which means resources are being directed toward methods proven to work.
- Protection of Children: Dr. Marianne Thomas emphasized that “without accurate screening, kids fall through the cracks and are further harmed.” These new tools directly address this critical gap in protection.
How You Can Help
If you suspect someone is a victim of trafficking, trust your instincts. Contact the Florida Trafficking Hotline at 1-855-FLA-SAFE (1-855-352-7233) to report suspicious activity. You can remain anonymous.
- To access the resources mentioned or learn more about human trafficking prevention, visit myflfamilies.com/HT.