Building Systems of Hope: Conversations on Human Trafficking

Host Vivian Ko, assistant director of Professional Development and Worker Well-being, Research & Evaluation at the Florida Institute for Child Welfare, explores how Florida’s foster parents serve as frontline partners in prevention, what approaches support positive outcomes for children, and where systems can be improved.Vivian, an adoptive mom and former foster parent herself, talks with foster and adoptive moms Lori Ann Chapman and Selena Garrison about their personal journeys through foster care. Both got involved with the system because they wanted to provide stability, love, and advocacy for children who have experienced trauma. Lori and Selena both tell stories that reveal how difficult foster parenting can be, but they say watching children heal, grow, and feel safe is what sustains them.“Supporting foster parents is prevention. I hope we're able to clearly identify the gaps so that we can better prepare and support foster parents from the beginning. Because when foster parents are set up for success, kids are going to be more stable, and the outcomes are going to improve.” Selena GarrisonResources mentioned in this episode: The Fostering Foundation: https://www.thefosteringfoundation.org/ The Pearl Project: https://www.thepearlproject.org/ “Memoirs of a Middle Mama”: https://www.facebook.com/memoirsofamiddlemama/Just a reminder: Our guests’ opinions are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official views, policies, or positions of the Florida Institute for Child Welfare.   Tune in and subscribe to our Child Welfare Podcast at http://FICW.FSU.EDU/PODCASTThe Florida Institute for Child Welfare seeks to promote safety, permanency, and well-being among children and families within the child welfare system. Learn more about our research and professional development programs at http://FICW.FSU.EDUConnect with us on social media: @FSUChildWelfareFacebook: @fsuchildwelfare   Instagram: @fsuchildwelfare   LinkedIn: @fsuchildwelfareHost:  Vivian Ko Producing/Editing: David Heller, Brantley Jones, Izzy Cring

Content & Support Disclaimer: This episode features in-depth discussion of human trafficking involving children and young adults. While essential for awareness, some details may be distressing or triggering. Listener discretion is strongly advised.In this episode, Lauren Herod speaks with three guests who lead efforts to prevent human trafficking and help victims of commercial sexual abuse in Florida.Dr. Vicky Basra, Stephanie Burke, and Jennifer Brooks of the Delores Barr Weaver Policy Center, also known as “See the Girl,” discuss the need for more training among child welfare professionals on human trafficking. They explain how systemic gaps complicate prevention efforts and what policy changes are needed to make more progress on the problem.Tune in to learn about their success stories with trafficking survivors, including a 13-year-old girl, and how the organization offers hope by leading with compassion, patience, and new practices backed by the latest research.If you—or someone you know—needs help or wishes to report trafficking, here are 24/7 confidential resources:National Human Trafficking Hotline Phone: 1‑888‑373‑7888 Text: HELP → 233733 (“BEFREE”) TTY (hearing impaired): 711 Email: [email protected] Live Chat: via humantraffickinghotline.orgChild Abuse & Exploitation Specific Hotlines: Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline: 1‑800‑422‑4453 National Center for Missing & Exploited Children: 1‑800‑843‑5678 or report online at Cybertipline.org [youth.gov]Florida-specific Support Florida Abuse Hotline (for children/vulnerable adults): 1‑800‑96‑ABUSE (1‑800‑962‑2873) [myflfamilies.com], [floridahealth.gov] Florida Human Trafficking Reporting Line: 1‑855‑FLA‑SAFE (1‑855‑352‑7233) [djj.state.fl.us], [floridahealth.gov] Office of Human Trafficking Intervention (FL Dept. Juvenile Justice): (850) 717‑2714 [djj.state.fl.us]Just a reminder: Our guests’ opinions are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official views, policies, or positions of the Florida Institute for Child Welfare.Tune in and subscribe to our Child Welfare podcast at http://FICW.FSU.EDU/PODCASTThe Florida Institute for Child Welfare seeks to promote safety, permanency, and well-being among children and families within the child welfare system. Learn more about our research and professional development programs at http://FICW.FSU.EDU.Connect with us on social media: @FSUChildWelfare http://Facebook.com/FSUChildWelfare http://Instagram.com/FSUChildWelfare http://Twitter.com/FSUChildWelfare http://LinkedIn.com/company/FSUChildWelfare Host: Lauren Herod Producing/Editing: David Heller, Brantley Jones, Izzy Cring

Content & Support Disclaimer: This episode features in-depth discussion of human trafficking involving children and young adults. While essential for awareness, some details may be distressing or triggering. Listener discretion is strongly advised.In this episode, Dr. Joan Reid, professor of criminology at the University of South Florida and director of the USF Trafficking in Persons Research Lab, explains how her research is helping create solutions to prevent trafficking.Her key goals include: Developing more effective ways to connect trafficking survivors to services. Supporting child welfare professionals’ efforts to help victims and survivors. Dr. Reid has written more than 60 articles focused on child sex trafficking in Florida, including groundbreaking research documenting a disproportionate risk of exploitation in sex trafficking among children with disabilities. Her research has been used in cases before the U.S. Supreme Court and state courts. Tune in to learn how Dr. Reid’s research is influencing government policy and helping Florida to become a leader in data-driven policy targeting human trafficking. Dr. Reid encourages child welfare professionals and anti-trafficking programs to contact the USF Trafficking in Persons Research Lab to learn how to better serve trafficking victims and survivors. Find resources here: https://www.usftiplab.org/resources/ If you—or someone you know—needs help or wishes to report trafficking, here are 24/7 confidential resources: National Human Trafficking Hotline Phone: 1‑888‑373‑7888 Text: HELP → 233733 (“BEFREE”) TTY (hearing impaired): 711 Email: [email protected] Live Chat: via humantraffickinghotline.org Child Abuse & Exploitation Specific Hotlines: Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline: 1‑800‑422‑4453 National Center for Missing & Exploited Children: 1‑800‑843‑5678 or report online at Cybertipline.org [youth.gov] Florida-specific Support Florida Abuse Hotline (for children/vulnerable adults): 1‑800‑96‑ABUSE (1‑800‑962‑2873) [myflfamilies.com], [floridahealth.gov] Florida Human Trafficking Reporting Line: 1‑855‑FLA‑SAFE (1‑855‑352‑7233) [djj.state.fl.us], [floridahealth.gov] Office of Human Trafficking Intervention (FL Dept. Juvenile Justice): (850) 717‑2714 [djj.state.fl.us] Just a reminder: Our guests’ opinions are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official views, policies, or positions of the Florida Institute for Child Welfare. Tune in and subscribe to our Child Welfare podcast at http://FICW.FSU.EDU/PODCAST The Florida Institute for Child Welfare seeks to promote safety, permanency, and well-being among children and families within the child welfare system. Learn more about our research and professional development programs at http://FICW.FSU.EDU Connect with us on social media: @FSUChildWelfare http://Facebook.com/FSUChildWelfare http://Instagram.com/FSUChildWelfare http://Twitter.com/FSUChildWelfare http://LinkedIn.com/company/FSUChildWelfare Host:  Lauren Herod Producing/Editing: David Heller, Brantley Jones, Izzy Cring

Content & Support Disclaimer: This episode features in-depth discussion of human trafficking involving children and young adults. While essential for awareness, some details may be distressing or triggering. Listener discretion is strongly advised. In this episode, Dr. Charrita Ernewein, assistant professor at the University of Tampa and director of community education for the ⁠FREE Network⁠, joins host Lauren Herod to discuss efforts to prevent human trafficking in Florida. As a destination state, Florida ranks among the highest in the nation in human trafficking rates, according to a ⁠2024 state report⁠. In her role at the FREE Network, Dr. Ernewein focuses on human trafficking education, advocacy, and collaboration. She works to bring together organizations, including law enforcement and child welfare agencies, to address this persistent problem.Her doctoral research explored ways to help survivors of human trafficking reintegrate into the community. Their key needs include long-term housing, financial support, legal assistance, and better access to health care.Dr. Ernewein says many survivors were trafficked as children, often through familial connections. She says too many survivors are stigmatized, complicating their recovery.Dr. Ernewein is advocating for more trauma-informed training among professionals in child welfare, law enforcement, and health care. She’s also working to expand education among families about internet crimes against children.If you—or someone you know—needs help or wishes to report trafficking, here are 24/7 confidential resources: National Human Trafficking Hotline Phone: 1‑888‑373‑7888 Text: HELP → 233733 (“BEFREE”) TTY (hearing impaired): 711 Email: [email protected] Live Chat: via humantraffickinghotline.org Child Abuse & Exploitation Specific Hotlines: Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline: 1‑800‑422‑4453 National Center for Missing & Exploited Children: 1‑800‑843‑5678 or report online at Cybertipline.org [youth.gov]  Florida-specific Support Florida Abuse Hotline (for children/vulnerable adults): 1‑800‑96‑ABUSE (1‑800‑962‑2873) [myflfamilies.com], [floridahealth.gov] Florida Human Trafficking Reporting Line: 1‑855‑FLA‑SAFE (1‑855‑352‑7233) [djj.state.fl.us], [floridahealth.gov] Office of Human Trafficking Intervention (FL Dept. Juvenile Justice): (850) 717‑2714 [djj.state.fl.us]  Just a reminder: Our guests’ opinions are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official views, policies, or positions of the Florida Institute for Child Welfare. Tune in and subscribe to our Child Welfare podcast at http://FICW.FSU.EDU/PODCAST  The Florida Institute for Child Welfare seeks to promote safety, permanency, and well-being among children and families within the child welfare system. Learn more about our research and professional development programs at http://FICW.FSU.EDU  Connect with us on social media: @FSUChildWelfare http://Facebook.com/FSUChildWelfare http://Instagram.com/FSUChildWelfare http://Twitter.com/FSUChildWelfare http://LinkedIn.com/company/FSUChildWelfare  Host:  Lauren Herod Producer: David Heller Sound Engineer/Editor: Brantley Jones