HUMAN TRAFFICKING SPECIALIST-POLICY

Human Trafficking Specialist-Policy

The Human Trafficking Services Specialist will serve as the Department's dedicated lead for coordinating services, maintaining engagement, and supporting youth survivors of human trafficking as they transition through and beyond the child welfare system. This role is essential to bridging the gap between child-serving systems and adult systems of care and ensuring long-term continuity of care and protection from re-victimization.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree (Master's preferred) in social work, psychology, public administration, human services, or related field.
• Knowledge of Florida's Human Trafficking statutes, MDT process, and child welfare system.
• Experience working with youth survivors of human trafficking, transition-age youth, or high-risk adolescents.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed, survivor-centered practices and youth engagement strategies.
• Lived experience or experience working with survivor leaders preferred.

Essential Job Functions:

• Provide anti-human trafficking expertise in policy development and implementation.
• Ensure quality service array through engagement in statewide and national collaboratives.
• Develop short-term and long-term strategic planning utilizing data to guide strategies and actions.
• Provide analysis and recommendations on anti-human trafficking and prevention populations in the state, including children, adults, vulnerable adults, and young adults formerly in foster care, in Extended Foster Care or in the Road to Independence Postsecondary Education Services and Support program.
• Maintain knowledge of operations and policies of the anti-human trafficking and prevention programs and of the Department; maintain current and detailed knowledge about laws, policies, and regulations affecting services to anti-human trafficking survivors in Florida.
• Provide assistance in reviewing FAC rules and CFOP to reflect changes in policies related to Safe Harbor Homes.
• Serve as a liaison between the Department and Safe Home staff and provide ongoing updates regarding legislatively mandated requirements, proper documentation, and staff trainings.
• Participate in quarterly meetings with Safe Home and Safe Therapeutic Foster Homes staff.
• Assist in out-of-state placements for victims of CSEC.
• Provide assistance in reviewing FAC rules and CFOP to reflect changes in policies related to Adult Safe Houses.
• Serve as a liaison between the Department and Adult Safe Houses staff and provide ongoing updates regarding legislatively mandated requirements, proper documentation, and staff trainings.
• Participate in quarterly meetings with Adult Safe House staff and ensure ongoing support for staff working with survivors of human trafficking.
• Assist in developing a network of adult services and supports for adult survivors of human trafficking and for adult safe house providers.
• Effectively coordinate activities and resolution of human trafficking issues between the Office of Community Services and circuits/regions, community-based care lead agencies and other programs within the Department.
• Assist with the development and maintenance of positive relationships and integrated response and services delivery across state agency partners and community-based organizations.
• Attend local and state events focused on human trafficking prevention, including presentations at public events to raise awareness of anti-human trafficking survivor services.
• Training: Assist in the development a robust anti-human trafficking training resource library including identification of national, state, and Department developed trainings. Deliver trainings on anti-human trafficking and prevention and provide train the trainer to build capacity.
• Human Trafficking Screening Tool: Ensure proper identification and application of the screening tool and utilize data to guide strategies for prevention, services, and training. Ensure ongoing training is provided.
• Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) Staffings: Participate and provide oversight to the human trafficking MDT staffings on all verified and suspected cases of CSEC. Provide necessary trainings on the CFOP and MDT staffing process.
• Complete 6-month follow-up calls to all victims in verified human trafficking investigations.
• Serve as the statewide point of contact for survivor engagement and transition planning post-CPS involvement, including conducting and documenting required 6-month follow-ups with verified CSEC victims or their caregivers/case managers using trauma-informed, developmentally appropriate approaches.
• Build and maintain a centralized system to track follow-ups, long-term service engagement, and statewide trends; provide regular updates and data to inform DCF leadership, regional operations, and the Statewide Council on Human Trafficking.
• Prioritize outreach for transition-age youth (16–24), especially those aging out or not in foster care, and partner with regional teams, Human Trafficking Coordinators, providers, and community agencies to ensure coordinated transitions into adult service systems.
• Identify gaps in access to housing, therapy, mentorship, education/employment resources, and survivor-led supports, while ensuring survivor voices shape engagement strategies and services.
• Serve as back-up for Regional Human Trafficking Coordinators as needed, including during disaster response.