Demonstration Grants to Strengthen the Response to Victims of Human Trafficking in Native Communities (VHT-NC) Program

The Office on Trafficking in Persons (OTIP) within the Administration for Children and Families is announcing funds for the Demonstration Grants to Strengthen the Response to Victims of Human Trafficking in Native Communities (VHT-NC) Program. The goal of the VHT-NC Program is to fund organizations that will build, expand, and sustain organizational and community capacity to deliver services to Native American (i.e., American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and/or Pacific Islanders) victims of severe forms of human trafficking as defined by the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 through the provision of direct services, assistance, and referrals. Under VHT-NC the following activities are required: 1) provision of comprehensive culturally and linguistically responsive case management to Native American victims of trafficking; 2) outreach efforts to increase identification of Native American victims of sex and labor trafficking; and 3) training to service providers and community partners. The VHT-NC Program is informed by a whole family approach that focuses equally and intentionally on services and opportunities for clients and their immediate family members living within their households. OTIP is encouraging the establishment of community partnerships, meaningful engagement of Native American survivors of trafficking, and the hiring of qualified professionals that reflect the communities being served in all project implementation strategies under the VHT-NC Program. Under the VHT-NC Program there is a 12-month project implementation period to facilitate optional partnerships, on-board new staff, and develop victim service protocol specific to Native American victims of trafficking. Under the VHT-NC Program there is a statutorily mandated 25 percent match (cash or in-kind) requirement.