/ en Tue, 29 Apr 2025 04:12:43 -0500 Thu, 04 Jan 24 14:27:17 -0600 /news/headline/2024-01-04-aha-releases-digital-toolkit-national-human-trafficking-awareness-month <p>AHA has released social media content and graphics in English and Spanish to help hospitals and health systems raise awareness about human trafficking during January’s National Human Trafficking Awareness Month. <a href="https://view.officeapps.live.com/op/view.aspx?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.aha.org%2Fsystem%2Ffiles%2Fmedia%2Ffile%2F2023%2F01%2F2023-human-trafficking-awareness-digital-toolkit-e.docx&wdOrigin=BROWSELINK">LEARN MORE</a></p> Thu, 04 Jan 2024 14:27:17 -0600 Human Trafficking /news/headline/2023-09-29-aha-podcast-hearing-voices-human-trafficking-victims <p>Learn how Baltimore-based Mercy Medical Center’s Blue Dot Human Trafficking Initiative identifies and protects potential victims of human trafficking while encouraging them to come forward for help. <strong><a href="/advancing-health-podcast/2023-09-29-hearing-voices-human-trafficking-victims?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=aha-today" target="_blank">LISTEN NOW</a></strong></p> <p></p> <div><a href="https://soundcloud.com/advancinghealth" target="_blank" title="Advancing Health">Advancing Health</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/advancinghealth/hearing-the-voices-of-human-trafficking-victims" target="_blank" title="Hearing the Voices of Human Trafficking Victims">Hearing the Voices of Human Trafficking Victims</a></div> Fri, 29 Sep 2023 15:32:49 -0500 Human Trafficking /advancing-health-podcast/2023-09-29-hearing-voices-human-trafficking-victims <p>For health care professionals, victims of human trafficking aren’t easy to spot, and many victims are reluctant to share much about the horror they endured. Mercy Medical Center’s Blue Dot Human Trafficking Initiative flags potential victims of human trafficking for its team of 30 forensic nurses who serve the greater Baltimore region. In this conversation, Debra Holbrook, director of Forensic Nursing at Mercy Health Services, and David Maine, M.D., president and CEO at Mercy, explain the key successes of the Blue Dot initiative and how Mercy is making a huge impact in keeping its communities safe and secure.</p> <hr /> <p></p> <div><a href="https://soundcloud.com/advancinghealth" target="_blank" title="Advancing Health">Advancing Health</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/advancinghealth/hearing-the-voices-of-human-trafficking-victims" target="_blank" title="Hearing the Voices of Human Trafficking Victims">Hearing the Voices of Human Trafficking Victims</a></div> <p> </p> <details class="transcript"><summary> <h2 title="Click here to open/close the transcript."><span>View Transcript</span><br />  </h2> </summary> <p>00:00:00:25 - 00:00:38:10<br /> Tom Haederle<br /> For health care professionals, victims of human trafficking aren't necessarily easy to spot. It takes a trained eye, and many victims are reluctant to share much about the horror they endured. Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore, Maryland, has tackled this problem head on with encouraging results. Welcome to Advancing Health, a podcast from the ���������� Association. I'm Tom Haederle with AHA Communications.</p> <p>00:00:38:12 - 00:01:05:06<br /> Tom Haederle<br /> Five years ago, Mercy Medical Center became part of a local collaborative dedicated to identifying and treating victims of human trafficking. Since then, Mercy has adopted what it calls its Blue Dot program, which flags potential victims of human trafficking for its team of more than 30 forensic nurses who serve the greater Baltimore region. The collaborative has added many partners and reached more than 500 victims of human trafficking over the past five years.</p> <p>00:01:05:09 - 00:01:22:27<br /> Tom Haederle<br /> In this podcast, hosted by The AHA’s Laura Castellanos, Deborah Holbrook, director of forensic nursing at Mercy Health Services, and Dr. David Maine, president and CEO of Mercy, explained that the key to the success of the program so far is listening to the voices of trafficking survivors.</p> <p>00:01:22:29 - 00:01:39:08<br /> Laura Castellanos<br /> Thank you Deb for being with us today on this podcast. I'm glad to have the opportunity to talk to you a bit more about your role at Mercy Medical Center and how and why the Blue Dot initiative was created. Can you share with us a bit more?</p> <p>00:01:39:10 - 00:02:12:20<br /> Debra Holbrook<br /> I would love to. Thank you, Laura. I directed a team of 30 forensic nurses who provide 24/7 coverage for the city of Baltimore for the care of patients who have been victimized by crimes and trauma across the life span, both at Mercy. And we have a fully mobile capacity to all 13 hospitals in our region: nursing homes, prisons, military bases, the Naval Academy for such crimes as sexual assault, asylum for those victimized by torture and persecution, all forms of interpersonal violence, elder strangulation, and, of course, human trafficking.</p> <p>00:02:12:22 - 00:02:48:21<br /> Debra Holbrook<br /> Mercy's senior leadership values engagement in the community. And five years ago, we became part of a human trafficking collaborative in Baltimore City that included leadership of every federal, state and local law enforcement agency, prosecution, government officials and stakeholders. And Mercy represented medicine because we are the designated center for forensic nursing in the city. And as the team started sharing their needs, there became one common theme that there was no central point of entry or coordinated care response that existed in the Baltimore Washington region.</p> <p>00:02:48:28 - 00:03:13:22<br /> Debra Holbrook<br /> And as we started educating our staff at Mercy in what to look for in screening for patients who may have been trafficked, we would flag the chart with a blue dot based on the federal government's Blue Campaign to end human slavery. And that's how Blue Dot was created. We see sex trafficking, labor, familial elder, especially gaunt, since COVID and international trafficking at this time.</p> <p>00:03:13:24 - 00:03:28:01<br /> Laura Castellanos<br /> Thank you for sharing that story, the journey, and you know, it seems like you've had a lot of growth and evolution of your initiative. Can you share with us a little bit more about the changes you've seen since its inception and what lessons have you learned?</p> <p>00:03:28:04 - 00:03:47:25<br /> Debra Holbrook<br /> Absolutely. This program is constantly evolving and it's based on the voices of trafficking survivors. They teach us everything we need to know to be able to care for them and the needs of our community partners as well. We bring in stakeholders based on the deficits that we see as we care for victims in and around Greater Baltimore region.</p> <p>00:03:47:28 - 00:04:09:26<br /> Debra Holbrook<br /> We speak with lawmakers to fashion laws that protect our patients, and we hold each other accountable for our respective response when we're called to care for victims of trafficking. This collaborative has grown from 30 to over 60 partners, and I think that's the biggest growth, is listening to what trafficking survivors actually need based on what we thought this was going to look like.</p> <p>00:04:09:28 - 00:04:18:05<br /> Debra Holbrook<br /> We've seen over 500 victims in just over five years. That is really big numbers in the trafficking world.</p> <p>00:04:18:08 - 00:04:45:26<br /> Laura Castellanos<br /> Absolutely. And I really appreciate you bringing that conversation of survivor-informed policies, procedures and interventions at our hospitals. And definitely appreciate you bringing to the forefront. I'm going to go to Dr. Maine, for the remainder of our conversation here. I'll come back to you, Deb. But Dr. Maine, I want to hear from your perspective how your leadership has played a role in supporting this initiative, which we just heard, how much it has grown and expanded.</p> <p>00:04:45:27 - 00:04:47:24<br /> Laura Castellanos<br /> Can you share your thoughts?</p> <p>00:04:47:26 - 00:05:22:00<br /> David Maine<br /> Sure. Well, first, Mercy is a very mission driven organization. We've had a long history of service to the community dating back to 1874, when six Sisters of Mercy came here to Baltimore. And here we are on the cusp of our 150th anniversary. And we're still doing that very same work, that same commitment through programs like Blue Dot, programs like our Preventative Care Center that opened this past fiscal year through our work in maternal health and of course through providing access to primary and specialty care services here in Baltimore City.</p> <p>00:05:22:00 - 00:05:44:18<br /> David Maine<br /> And I think as a whole, we work to facilitate engagement, active involvement of our patients in their own care, which enhances safety, enhances quality, and really enhances overall health care delivery. And we're blessed to have amazing people like Deb Holbrook helping lead the way. So at the at the end of the day, this is really about having amazing people.</p> <p>00:05:44:18 - 00:05:48:22<br /> David Maine<br /> And in committing to that work that started so long ago.</p> <p>00:05:48:24 - 00:06:09:28<br /> Laura Castellanos<br /> Now, thank you for sharing that background. And, you know, mission-driven, faith based organizations are doing outstanding work in this space. Let's focus a bit on the leadership you've provided, Dr. Maine, and what advice would you give hospital and health system leaders that are actually trying to grow or build capacity to take on some of these anti-trafficking programs?</p> <p>00:06:10:00 - 00:06:40:27<br /> David Maine<br /> Our forensic nurse examiner program, as Deb chatted about in subsequent Blue Dot initiative, was founded in 1994 by a group of ED nurses. And these nurses...they recognize the need to improve care for victims. And we listened. And so we listened and supported our team members. And so first and foremost, I think you have to have your finger on the pulse of of your community and the needs of that community and recognize where and when you can move the needle on that.</p> <p>00:06:41:03 - 00:07:08:17<br /> David Maine<br /> The other thing that I think Deb highlighted very nicely is, that we don't do it alone. We use all kinds of stakeholders. And so you have to bring people together to move forward on initiatives such as this. And the other thing I would note is that programs like this are multidisciplinary. There's lots of pieces to it. And implementing anti-trafficking responses require an ongoing commitment of the organization.</p> <p>00:07:08:20 - 00:07:31:21<br /> David Maine<br /> You need amazing leaders like Deb Holbrook and all of our nurses and recognize that it's not just about the immediate needs of victims, but it's also about the long term implications and the recovery of victims, as well as educating the community about awareness, about resources available. So you can hopefully put it put an end to it as quickly as possible</p> <p>00:07:31:28 - 00:07:34:18<br /> David Maine<br /> enhancing the wellness of your community.</p> <p>00:07:34:20 - 00:08:03:18<br /> Laura Castellanos<br /> I appreciate you sharing that. Great advice. And Deb, I want to hear from your leadership perspective. What advice do you have for those? And in my experience, a lot of these programs are created by folks either with the experience or the passion to make a change. And many times we see nurses leading that charge. But from your perspective and in your leadership, what advice would you have for leaders looking to build and grow capacity for these types of programs?</p> <p>00:08:03:20 - 00:08:32:22<br /> Debra Holbrook<br /> I would suggest that it's really important to educate your staff in the signs of trafficking, but it's more important to first become engaged in a community collaborative. And I'll tell you the reason for that. Medical care providers will stop screening if there's no clear plan for what to do if a patient says yes. Right? So so it's multifaceted that you have to have that plan in place and know who your interdisciplinary team is, that you need to speak with trafficking</p> <p>00:08:32:22 - 00:08:55:01<br /> Debra Holbrook<br /> survivor was in the early stages of forming your collaborative. The best advice we've had in growing this initiative that have cared for 500 patients is the wisdom of those who have been in this life and what they need. Like we thought we would offer them safety. But most of these patients have ACS scores that are off the charts, and they've never known what safety is.</p> <p>00:08:55:04 - 00:09:18:21<br /> Debra Holbrook<br /> And of course, ACS is adverse childhood or community experiences that are direct predictors of poor health care outcomes when they become adults. And that's what makes them easy targets for traffickers. But they also it also makes them some of the most difficult patients that we deal with in hospitals. But we need to look beneath the surface of what these people are really going through in their lives.</p> <p>00:09:18:24 - 00:09:40:24<br /> Laura Castellanos<br /> Thank you for that. You've brought up two really important points: survivor informed and trauma informed care, which is the work that you're leading. And I really appreciate you sharing more about, you know, getting the solutions from from those individuals. They truly have the answers. Again, I want to hear from from both of you as we're taking this podcast to a close.</p> <p>00:09:40:26 - 00:10:06:01<br /> Laura Castellanos<br /> I want to hear what what do you think are some of the more important areas or important things about implementing anti-trafficking response programs, specifically in health care? And I think Deb, you touched on a good point. If providers don't know what happens after someone answers yes, then then we won't see the type of response that we need. So yeah, if you could give us some takeaways for today's conversation. And I'll go with you</p> <p>00:10:06:01 - 00:10:07:09<br /> Laura Castellanos<br /> Dr. Maine</p> <p>00:10:07:11 - 00:10:28:16<br /> David Maine<br /> Sure. Well, what I'll add to this is that I think Deb kind of highlighted it. You need to educate providers, educate your community, educate folks on resources, on the right questions, to ask on the right signals to to see. And of course, surround yourself by the right people to be able to execute well on a program such as this.</p> <p>00:10:28:22 - 00:10:50:24<br /> David Maine<br /> The Blue Dot initiative is not about awards. It really seeks no recognition outside of the wellness and safety of victims. So you do this because you want to do this because you need to do this because the community needs it. And so we're very proud to work with these amazing nurses and support them fully in this incredible work.</p> <p>00:10:50:27 - 00:11:16:18<br /> Laura Castellanos<br /> Absolutely. We're proud of the work. And it is worth mentioning that the Blue Dots human trafficking initiative at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore did receive the 2022 Presidential Award for extraordinary efforts to combat trafficking in persons. So it is worth taking a moment to recognize that outstanding recognition. Deb, I'm sure you are proud. So for our listeners today, what takeaways do you have to share with them?</p> <p>00:11:16:21 - 00:11:39:02<br /> Debra Holbrook<br /> I have a couple. First of all, these patients of trafficking have no reason to trust us. Anybody who's ever been somebody that they thought they could trust has abused them, right? They're taught to fear law enforcement, but not health care providers. And we need to come with to them with being non-judgmental because, again, they are the most challenging cases we see.</p> <p>00:11:39:04 - 00:12:14:19<br /> Debra Holbrook<br /> We need to respect our community partners who work with us. We've trained over 600 medics and they are now by what they see in the field, bringing us at least one victim a week. That is huge based on mandatory training that you need to involve your liquor board and fire inspectors...that you need to remember elders are being trafficked at a higher rate than ever, and that is not a population that we traditionally look at for sex and labor trafficking> That to start with an open mind that this is not what you expect it to be and never show shock when these patients decide to disclose.</p> <p>00:12:14:21 - 00:12:28:13<br /> Debra Holbrook<br /> And lastly, a mutual respect for the lives that our patients are living, albeit cruel and heartbreaking, that we are their lifeline. And we're so grateful that Mercy leadership lives its vision to community care in our most vulnerable patients.</p> <p>00:12:28:15 - 00:12:51:09<br /> Laura Castellanos<br /> Thank you for sharing so much wisdom and insight from the field. You're right, health care providers are not here to rescue. But you are that lifeline. And we are working as a field with partners to ensure that the resources, the education, the tools become available. As I mentioned, the ���������� Association has the Hospital Against Violence Initiative that has a combating human trafficking effort.</p> <p>00:12:51:09 - 00:13:00:12<br /> Laura Castellanos<br /> And we are going to be so glad to be sharing this great podcast. We appreciate you both coming on and sharing your insights and more about your leadership.</p> <p> </p> </details> Fri, 29 Sep 2023 01:00:27 -0500 Human Trafficking /news/headline/2023-08-03-hhs-innovation-challenge-targets-human-trafficking-prevention <p>At its<a href="https://www.acf.hhs.gov/otip/summit"> National Human Trafficking Prevention Summit</a>, the Department of Health and Human Services <a href="https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2023/08/3/hhs-launches-innovation%20-challenge-prevent-human-trafficking-among-women-girls.html">announced</a> a national innovation challenge to prevent human trafficking of women and girls. The challenge will award 20 programs that prevent human trafficking and/or improve related health outcomes $50,000 each, then up to $100,000 more to eight programs that go on to successfully expand or replicate to increase their impact. The challenge aligns with priorities identified by the HHS Task Force to Prevent Human Trafficking, National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking, and National Plan to End Gender-Based Violence.<br />  <br /> As part of the AHA’s Hospitals Against Violence initiative, the AHA, Jones Day and HEAL Trafficking have <a href="/combating-human-trafficking">created resources</a> to help health care providers fight the global scourge of human trafficking. </p> Thu, 03 Aug 2023 15:03:00 -0500 Human Trafficking /fight-against-human-trafficking <h1>In the Fight Against Human Trafficking</h1>.col-md-9 { padding-right: 5% } .rowEqual { display: -webkit-box; display: -webkit-flex; display: -ms-flexbox; display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap; padding: 0; } .rowEqual>[class*='col-'] { display: flex; } .hav { margin-top: 20px } /* .hav .col-md-6:nth-child(odd){ padding-right: 30px; } .hav .col-md-6:nth-child(even){ padding-left: 30px }*/ .hav:last-child,{ margin-bottom: 40px } @media screen and (max-width: 992px) { .hav .col-md-6 { padding-right: 15px !important; padding-left: 15px!important; } } .panel { border:1px solid lightgrey; } .panel h2 { font-size: 1.5em; margin-top: 0; } .panel h2 a { color: #333; } .panel h2 a:hover { color: #B1B3B3; } h4 small { color: #9D2235; } .panel .panel-heading h4 { margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 5px } .panel-body p { font-size: 16px; line-height: 23px; } .readMore a { color: #333; text-transform: uppercase; font-weight: bold; line-height: 23px; font-size: 14px; } .carrots { font-weight: bold; font-size: 1.5em; color: #9D2235; line-height: 23px; } .col-md-6 { width: calc(100%/2 - 20px); margin-bottom: 10px; } @media only screen and (max-width: 768px) { .col-md-6 { width: 100%; } } .upcoming h3 { font-size: 1.3em; line-height: 1.1em; } .upcoming h4 { font-size: 1.1em; letter-spacing: .031em } .upcoming h4 small { color: #307FE2 } .upcoming .btn { padding: 6px 10px; border-radius: 10px; } .upcoming .btn a { color: #fff; text-transform: uppercase; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; } h3.sidebarPromo { font-size: 1.1em; line-height: 1.2em; text-align: center; border: 1px solid #307FE2; padding: 10px; } h3.sidebarPromo a { color: #333; } h3.sidebarPromo a:hover { color: #B1B3B3; } .featured { max-width: 800px; margin: 40px auto 0; } <p><img src="/sites/default/files/2021-03/human-trafficking-virtual-series-banner.jpg"></p><div id="block-breadcrumbs"><nav aria-labelledby="system-breadcrumb" role="navigation"><h2 class="visually-hidden" id="system-breadcrumb">Breadcrumb</h2><ol class="breadcrumb"><li><a href="/"><em><i class="fa fa-home"><span class="sr-only">Home</span></i></em></a></li><li><a href="/hospitals-against-violence">Hospitals Against Violence</a></li><li><a href="/combating-human-trafficking">Combating Human Trafficking</a></li></ol></nav></div><div class="col-md-8"><div><p>As part of the AHA’s Hospitals Against Violence initiative, the AHA, Jones Day, and HEAL Trafficking have come together to provide resources to health care providers across the nation who are fighting the global scourge of human trafficking.</p><div class="panel module-typeC"><div class="panel-heading"><h4 class="text-align-center"><small>Visualizing and Combating Human Trafficking in America</small></h4></div><div class="panel-body"><p>Survivors, experts and advocates gathered June 3, 2021, to lead a workshop on combating human trafficking in health care settings. Artist Matt Orley of Big Paper Strategy created the following three graphics during live sessions on <a href="/sites/default/files/2021-06/dispelling-human-trafficking-misconceptions.jpg">dispelling human trafficking misconceptions</a>, <a href="/sites/default/files/2021-06/human-trafficking-session-illustration-101.jpg">human trafficking 101</a> and <a href="/sites/default/files/2021-06/human-trafficking-session-illustration-tools-for-engagement-700.jpg">tools for engagement</a>. Watch the full event <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b60u3g9BSJk">here</a>.</p><div class="row"><div class="col-md-4"><h5><a href="http://www.aha.org/sites/default/files/2021-06/dispelling-human-trafficking-misconceptions.jpg"><span><strong>Dispelling Human Trafficking</strong></span></a><br><a href="http://www.aha.org/sites/default/files/2021-06/dispelling-human-trafficking-misconceptions.jpg"><span><strong>Misconceptions</strong></span></a><br><br><a href="/sites/default/files/2021-06/dispelling-human-trafficking-misconceptions.jpg"><span><img src="/sites/default/files/2021-06/dispelling-human-trafficking-misconceptions-315.jpg" alt="Human Trafficking Misconception image"></span></a></h5><h5><a href="/system/files/media/file/2021/06/dispelling-human-trafficking-misconceptions.pdf"><span>Download the PDF</span></a></h5></div><div class="col-md-4"><h5><br><a href="http://www.aha.org/sites/default/files/2021-06/human-trafficking-session-illustration-101.jpg"><span>Human Trafficking 101</span></a><br><br><a href="/sites/default/files/2021-06/human-trafficking-session-illustration-101.jpg"><span><img src="/sites/default/files/2021-06/human-trafficking-session-illustration-101-315.jpg" alt="Human Trafficking 101 Image"></span></a></h5><h5><a href="/system/files/media/file/2021/06/human-trafficking-session-illustration-101.pdf"><span>Download the PDF</span></a></h5></div><div class="col-md-4"><h5><br><a href="http://www.aha.org/sites/default/files/2021-06/human-trafficking-session-illustration-tools-for-engagement-700.jpg"><span><strong>Tools for Engagement</strong></span></a><br><br><a href="/sites/default/files/2021-06/human-trafficking-session-illustration-tools-for-engagement-700.jpg"><span><img src="/sites/default/files/2021-06/human-trafficking-session-illustration-tools-for-engagement-315.jpg" alt="Tools and Resources Image"></span></a></h5><h5><a href="/system/files/media/file/2021/06/human-trafficking-session-illustration-tools-for-engagement.pdf"><span>Download the PDF</span></a></h5></div></div></div></div></div><div class="row featured"><div class="panel module-typeC"><div class="panel-heading"><h4><span><small>Featured Video</small></span></h4><h2><span>Recap of C-Suite Convening on Human Trafficking</span></h2></div><div class="panel-body"><p><span>Highlights of the C-suite virtual convening, “Expanding Hospital Leadership in the Fight Against Human Trafficking,” where over 100 senior leaders participated to learn about their role in the fight against human trafficking.</span></p><p><span></span></p></div></div></div> <div>   </div> --><div class="row"><h3 class="text-align-center"><span>Resources</span></h3></div><div class="row"><div class="hav rowEqual"><div class="col-md-6"><div class="col-md-12"><div class="panel module-typeC"><div class="panel-heading"><h4><span><small>Tool</small></span></h4><h2><a href="https://www.jonesday.com/en/insights/2021/09/human-trafficking-and-health-care-providers" target="_blank"><span>Human Trafficking and Health Care Providers: Legal Requirements for Reporting and Education tool</span></a></h2></div><div class="panel-body"><a href="/system/files/media/file/2021/01/Introduction-to-Human-Trafficking-and-Health-Care-Providers-Legal-Requirements-for-Reporting-and-Education.pdf" target="_blank"><img src="/sites/default/files/2021-03/legal_requirementS_for_reporting_and_education_promo_0.jpg" alt="hospital staff looking at a legal pad in the hallway"></a><p><span>As part of the ���������� Association's Hospitals Against Violence initiative, the AHA, Jones Day, and HEAL Trafficking have come together to provide resources to health care providers across the nation who are fighting the global scourge of human trafficking. To support that initiative, Jones Day has prepared the attached tool to help providers navigate the complex roadmap of their reporting and education obligations. With the increased role of telehealth and multistate practitioners, the need for this type of resource is growing.</span></p></div></div></div></div><div class="col-md-6"><div class="panel module-typeC"><div class="panel-heading"><h4><span><small>Podcast</small></span></h4><h2><a href="https://www.jonesday.com/en/insights/2021/01/helping-health-care-providers-fight-human-trafficking" target="_blank"><span>Jones Day Talks – Helping Health Care Providers Fight Human Trafficking</span></a></h2></div><div class="panel-body"><a href="https://www.jonesday.com/en/insights/2021/01/helping-health-care-providers-fight-human-trafficking" target="_blank"><img src="/sites/default/files/2021-03/jones-day-podcast-700.jpg" alt="jones day podcast"></a><p><span>Jones Day’s Alexis Gilroy, Curt Kirschner, and Taylor Goodspeed, along with Dr. Hanni Stoklosa of HEAL Trafficking and Claire Zangerle of the ���������� Association, explain how hospitals and providers should use the "Human Trafficking and Health Care Providers: Legal Requirements for Reporting and Education” tool, Talk about how providers can overcome barriers to identifying and reporting trafficking incidents, and discuss the significant role of telemedicine. </span><a href="https://www.jonesday.com/en/insights/2021/01/helping-health-care-providers-fight-human-trafficking" target="_blank"><span><span class="readMore">Listen Now </span><span class="readMore carrots">»</span></span></a></p></div></div></div><div class="col-md-6"><div class="panel module-typeC"><div class="panel-heading"><h4><span><small>Q&A</small></span></h4><h2><a href="/hospitals-against-violence/human-trafficking/kirschner" target="_blank"><span>Combating Human Trafficking Q&A: Curt Kirschner</span></a></h2></div><div class="panel-body"><a href="/hospitals-against-violence/human-trafficking/kirschner" target="_blank"><img src="/sites/default/files/2021-03/kirschner_curt2018.jpg" alt="curt kirschner"></a><p><span>Jones Day’s Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force and AHA provide tools and training - Melinda Hatton, AHA general counsel and one of the executive sponsors of the AHA’s Hospitals Against Violence initiative, interviews Curt Kirschner, partner and a leader of Jones Day’s Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force, to discuss the partnership working to expand hospital leadership in the fight against human trafficking. </span><a href="/hospitals-against-violence/human-trafficking/kirschner" target="_blank"><span><span class="readMore">Read More </span><span class="readMore carrots">»</span></span></a></p></div></div></div><div class="col-md-6"><div class="panel module-typeC"><div class="panel-heading"><h4><span><small>Q&A</small></span></h4><h2><a href="/questions-and-answers-qas/2020-07-20-combating-human-trafficking-qa" target="_blank"><span>Combating Human Trafficking Q&A: Hanni Stoklosa, MD, MPH</span></a></h2></div><div class="panel-body"><a href="/questions-and-answers-qas/2020-07-20-combating-human-trafficking-qa" target="_blank"><img src="/sites/default/files/2021-03/Stoklosa%2C_Hanni_700.jpg" alt="hanni stoklosa"></a><p><span>Health care systems working together in the fight against human trafficking - Melinda Hatton, AHA general counsel and executive sponsor for HAV, interviewed Hanni Stoklosa, MD, MPH, emergency medicine physician at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and co-founder, Executive Director of HEAL Trafficking, to discuss the state of anti-trafficking efforts and how health systems play a role in reducing health disparities among victims of sex and labor trafficking. </span><a href="/questions-and-answers-qas/2020-07-20-combating-human-trafficking-qa" target="_blank"><span><span class="readMore">Read More </span><span class="readMore carrots">»</span></span></a></p></div></div></div><div class="col-md-6"><div class="panel module-typeC"><div class="panel-heading"><h4><span><small>Q&A</small></span></h4><h2><a href="/system/files/media/file/2020/03/aonl-voices-nursing-leadership-question-answers-responding-human-trafficking-developing-program-to-help-victims.pdf" target="_blank"><span>Combating Human Trafficking Q&A: Laura Castellanos</span></a></h2></div><div class="panel-body"><a href="/system/files/media/file/2020/03/aonl-voices-nursing-leadership-question-answers-responding-human-trafficking-developing-program-to-help-victims.pdf" target="_blank"><img src="/sites/default/files/2021-04/castellanos-700.jpg" alt="laura castellanos"></a><p><span>In an interview with the American Organization for Nursing Leadership’s Voice of Nursing Leadership magazine, Laura Castellanos, associate director at the ���������� Association, discusses how to develop a human trafficking victim identification and response program. </span><a href="/system/files/media/file/2020/03/aonl-voices-nursing-leadership-question-answers-responding-human-trafficking-developing-program-to-help-victims.pdf" target="_blank"><span><span class="readMore">Download </span><span class="readMore carrots">»</span></span></a></p></div></div></div><div class="col-md-6"><div class="panel module-typeC"><div class="panel-heading"><h4><span><small>From the Field</small></span></h4><h2><a href="/news/headline/2021-01-26-atlantic-health-systems-anti-trafficking-efforts-underscore-roles-advocacy" target="_blank"><span>Profile of Atlantic Health System</span></a></h2></div><div class="panel-body"><a href="www.jonesday.com/en/insights/2021/01/helping-health-care-providers-fight-human-trafficking" target="_blank"><img src="/sites/default/files/2021-03/atlantic.jpg" alt="ingrid johnson"></a><ul><li><a href="/news/headline/2021-01-26-atlantic-health-systems-anti-trafficking-efforts-underscore-roles-advocac"><span><strong>Podcast</strong></span></a><br><a href="/advancing-health-podcast/2021-01-27-atlantic-health-system-successfully-combats-human-trafficking" target="_blank"><span><span class="readMore">Listen Now </span><span class="readMore carrots">»</span></span></a></li><li><a href="/news/headline/2021-01-26-atlantic-health-systems-anti-trafficking-efforts-underscore-roles-advocacy"><span><strong>Blog</strong></span></a><br><a href="/news/headline/2021-01-26-atlantic-health-systems-anti-trafficking-efforts-underscore-roles-advocacy" target="_blank"><span><span class="readMore">Read the Blog </span><span class="readMore carrots">»</span></span></a></li></ul></div></div></div><div class="col-md-6"><div class="panel module-typeC"><div class="panel-heading"><h4><span><small>Special Report</small></span></h4><h2><a href="/hospitals-against-violence/human-trafficking/confronting-human-trafficking-houston-hospitals-band-together" target="_blank"><span>Confronting Human Trafficking Special Report: Houston Hospitals Band Together</span></a></h2></div><div class="panel-body"><a href="/hospitals-against-violence/human-trafficking/confronting-human-trafficking-houston-hospitals-band-together" target="_blank"><span><img src="/sites/default/files/2021-03/houston-program-500.jpg" data-entity-uuid="" data-entity-type="" alt="girl distraught black and whites"></span></a><span> </span><a href="/hospitals-against-violence/human-trafficking/confronting-human-trafficking-houston-hospitals-band-together" target="_blank"><span><span class="readMore">Read the Special Report </span><span class="readMore carrots">»</span></span></a></div></div></div><div class="col-md-6"><div class="panel module-typeC"><div class="panel-heading"><h4><span><small>Resource Compilation</small></span></h4><h2><a href="/system/files/media/file/2021/04/AHA-JD-HEAL%20Working%20Session%20resources_March%2030%202021.pdf" target="_blank"><span>Resources from the Virtual Working Session</span></a></h2></div><div class="panel-body"><a href="/system/files/media/file/2021/04/AHA-JD-HEAL%20Working%20Session%20resources_March%2030%202021.pdf" target="_blank"><img src="/sites/default/files/2021-04/stock-young-man-taking-notes-looking-at-computer.jpg" alt="young man taking notes at a computer"></a><p><span>Guides, reports, training materials and more from experts featured in the Empowering the Workforce In the Fight Against Human working session. </span><a href="/system/files/media/file/2021/04/AHA-JD-HEAL%20Working%20Session%20resources_March%2030%202021.pdf" target="_blank"><span><span class="readMore">Download Now </span><span class="readMore carrots">»</span></span></a></p></div></div></div><div class="col-md-6"><div class="panel module-typeC"><div class="panel-heading"><h4><span><small>Briefing Book</small></span></h4><h2><a href="/system/files/media/file/2021/03/UPDATED-Briefing-Book-AHA-JD-HEAL-Convening-March-30-2021.pdf" target="_blank"><span>C-Suite Virtual Convening Briefing Book</span></a></h2></div><div class="panel-body"><a href="/system/files/media/file/2021/03/UPDATED-Briefing-Book-AHA-JD-HEAL-Convening-March-30-2021.pdf" target="_blank"><img src="/sites/default/files/2021-03/in-the-fight-against-human-trafficking-convening-briefing-book-cover-700.jpg" alt="briefing book cover"></a><p><span>As part of AHA’s Hospitals Against Violence initiative, the AHA, Jones Day, and HEAL Trafficking have come together to provide resources to health care providers across the nation who are fighting the global scourge of human trafficking. Find tools, reports and training, organizational and ICD-10 code resources, as well as contact information. </span><a href="/system/files/media/file/2021/03/UPDATED-Briefing-Book-AHA-JD-HEAL-Convening-March-30-2021.pdf" target="_blank"><span><span class="readMore">Download Now </span><span class="readMore carrots">»</span></span></a></p></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="col-md-4"><p> </p><div class="panel module-typeC"><div class="panel-heading"><h4 class="text-align-center"><span>Briefing Books</span></h4><ul><li><a href="/system/files/media/file/2023/05/forced-labor-in-health-care-supply-chains-what-hospital-leaders-need-to-know-convening-may-9-2023.pdf" target="_blank"><span>Regional Convening, May 9 2023</span></a></li></ul></div></div><div class="panel module-typeC"><h4 class="text-align-center"><a href="/combating-human-trafficking"><span>More Combating Human Trafficking Resources</span></a></h4></div></div> Wed, 24 May 2023 11:01:34 -0500 Human Trafficking /news/headline/2023-05-09-aha-co-hosts-regional-meeting-hospital-leaders-human-trafficking <p>AHA’s Hospitals Against Violence initiative, Jones Day and HEAL Trafficking (Health, Education, Advocacy, Linkage) hosted Forced Labor in Health Care Supply Chains: What Hospital Leaders Need to Know, an event in New York where speakers from Northwell Health shared practical information and resources to help health care providers prevent human trafficking, with a focus on health care supply chain issues.</p> <p>Santhosh Paulus, M.D., senior program director, and Wilonda Green, program manager, for the Northwell Health Human Trafficking Education, Advocacy, Response & Training Program described the effective and compassionate program to identify and prevent trafficking victims in its patient population, as well as Northwell’s journey to develop a Supply Chain Forced Labor Program.  </p> <p>Paul Kaufman, Northwell Health vice president and deputy general counsel, and Jones Day attorneys Bethany Biesenthal, Taylor Goodspeed and Julia Feldman discussed the nation’s anti-trafficking law, trends in compliance and government enforcement, and diligence and disclosure risks, especially as they relate to environmental, social and governance standards. The speakers provided external counsel and in-house attorney perspectives and practical approaches to mitigating trafficking-associated risks. </p> <p>Mike Schiller, senior director of supply chain for the AHA’s Association for Health Care Resource & Materials Management affiliate, also presented at the event.</p> Tue, 09 May 2023 16:05:00 -0500 Human Trafficking /news/headline/2023-02-14-hospital-receives-presidential-award-innovative-approach-caring-human-trafficking-victims <p>The Blue Dot Human Trafficking Initiative at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore yesterday received a 2022 <a href="https://www.state.gov/meeting-of-the-presidents-interagency-task-force-to-monitor-and-combat-trafficking-in-persons/">Presidential Award</a> for Extraordinary Efforts to Combat Trafficking in Persons for its innovative and holistic approach to the care and well-being of human trafficking victims. Secretary of State Antony Blinken presented the award to Debra Holbrook, director of forensic nursing at Mercy Medical Center, during a meeting of the President’s Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, which coordinates federal efforts to implement the National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking. <br />  </p> Tue, 14 Feb 2023 15:14:34 -0600 Human Trafficking /news/blog/2023-01-05-what-you-need-know-about-forced-labor-health-care-supply-chain-and-services <h2>Introduction</h2> <p>The AHA’s Hospitals Against Violence initiative, Jones Day and HEAL Trafficking (Health, Education, Advocacy, Linkage) recently hosted a special convening, Forced Labor in Health Care Supply Chains: What Hospital Leaders Need to Know, to provide practical information and resources to health care providers. The meeting featured experts from the Office of Management and Budget, the departments of Health and Human Services, Labor and State, and the Association for Health Care Resource & Materials Management (AHRMM), a first-hand account from a labor trafficking survivor and a case study showing how hospital systems and supply chain leaders can collaborate to address forced labor through procurement processes.</p> <p>According to the International Labour Organization (ILO)<sup>1</sup>, indicators of forced labor include abuse of vulnerability, deception, restriction of movement, isolation, physical and sexual violence, intimidation and threats, retention of identity documents, withholding of wages, debt bondage, abusive working and living conditions, and excessive overtime. Hospitals and health systems may inadvertently intersect with forced labor through product procurement and labor contracting practices. The Office on Trafficking in Persons in the Administration for Children & Families at HHS published an <a href="https://www.acf.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/documents/otip/IM on Forced Labor in HPH Supply Chains.pdf" target="_blank">informational memorandum</a>,<em> Federal Statutory and Regulatory Framework of Forced Labor in Healthcare and Public Health Supply Chain</em>s, for health care administrators and procurement professionals that explains how forced labor occurs in health care supply chains, overviews relevant laws and regulations, and additional resources.</p> <h2>Product procurement and labor contracting practices</h2> <p>The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the increased risks of forced labor by manufacturers. For example, Top Glove, the largest nitrile glove manufacturer located in Malaysia<sup>2</sup>, was added to the Department of Labor’s<em> List of Goods Produced by Child Labor or Forced Labo</em>r coinciding with a nationwide shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE). While hospitals (excluding federally operated facilities) are not mandated to cease procurement activities from identified and confirmed suppliers, they will actively work with distributors, tier one trading partners, group purchasing organizations (GPOs) and clinicians to identify and source clinically acceptable products from alternative suppliers. Raw materials tainted by forced labor, whether in part or in whole, also present a concern of forced labor in other health care manufacturing supply chains.</p> <p>The workforce shortage may increase the risk for hospitals and health systems in using forced labor. Jones Day recently published the <a href="https://www.jonesday.com/en/insights/2022/10/global-spotlight-on-labor-trafficking-in-health-care-and-corporate-supply-chains" target="_blank">white paper</a>, <em>Global Spotlight on Labor Trafficking in Health Care and Corporate Supply Chains,</em> stating that recent litigation across the globe demonstrates the need for companies to consider conducting due diligence to identify forced labor in their supply chains. In recent years, there has been at least five federal class-action forced labor lawsuits against staffing agencies, and courts continue to find merit in this type of lawsuit.</p> <h2>Executive sponsorship, interdisciplinary committee and resource efforts</h2> <p>CommonSpirit Health shared about a component of their program to combat human trafficking, specifically their efforts to address forced labor, led by Elise Nagowski, a surgical sourcing contract manager, and supported by Laura Krausa, system director of advocacy programs. The team attributes the success of their efforts thus far to having executive support and buy-in and developing an interdisciplinary team. Their team meets regularly to create and monitor short- and long-term goals, provide updates and discuss partnerships. The first, and most important step, is to create awareness and develop internal education. They link to others for support in this area and identify allies willing to share tools, including vendors, suppliers, distributors and/or GPOs.</p> <h2>Generate awareness</h2> <p>January is Human Trafficking Prevention Month, an opportunity to raise awareness on how we can all prevent and respond to human trafficking. This year's theme is "Partner to Prevent," and HHS Office on Trafficking in Persons is promoting resources that highlight the importance of partnerships and collaboration in strengthening anti-trafficking efforts. Need a place to start? The AHA’s Hospitals Against Violence initiative <a href="/combating-human-trafficking" target="_blank">webpage</a> offers resources on developing a human trafficking victims’ identification and response program. Hospital and health system leaders can look to the National Human Trafficking Training and Technical Assistance Center and their <em>Core Competencies for Human Trafficking Response in Health Care and Behavioral Health Systems</em>. The goal of the core competencies is to clarify the skill sets needed for health care professionals to identify, respond to, and serve individuals who have experienced sex and/or labor trafficking and individuals who are at risk of trafficking with trauma-informed, culturally responsive and patient-centered principles. Listed below are additional resources.</p> <table border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <p>Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Trafficking in Persons</p> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/06/23/2022-13374/request-for-information-forced-labor-in-healthcare-supply-chains" target="_blank">Request for Information</a>: Forced Labor in Healthcare Supply Chains</li> <li><a href="https://www.acf.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/documents/otip/IM on Forced Labor in HPH Supply Chains.pdf" target="_blank">Informational Memo</a>: Federal Statutory and Regulatory Framework on Forced Labor in Healthcare and Public Health Supply Chains</li> </ul> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p>Department of Labor, Office of Child Labor, Forced Labor and Human Trafficking</p> <ul> <li> <a href="https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ilab/resources/reports/child-labor" target="_blank">International Child Labor & Forced Labor Reports</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ilab/resources/reports/child-labor" target="_blank">Comply Chain</a>: Business Tools for Labor Compliance in Global Supply Chains</li> <li><a href="https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ilab/better-trade-tool" target="_blank">Better Trade Tool</a></li> </ul> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p>Department of State, Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons</p> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.responsiblesourcingtool.org/visualizerisk" target="_blank">Responsible Sourcing Tool</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.state.gov/reports/2022-trafficking-in-persons-report/" target="_blank">2022 Trafficking in Persons Report Fact Sheets</a></li> </ul> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p>Customs and Border Protection</p> <ul> <li><a href="http://www.cbp.gov/trade/forced-labor" target="_blank">Forced Labo</a>r</li> <li>Report Trade Violations/<a href="https://eallegations.cbp.gov/s/" target="_blank">E-Allegations</a></li> </ul> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p>Jones Day Resources</p> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.jonesday.com/en/insights/2018/08/the-global-spotlight-on-labor-trafficking-in-corpo" target="_blank">The Global Spotlight on Labor Trafficking in Corporate Supply Chains-Know Your Obligations</a>, August 2018</li> <li><a href="https://www.jonesday.com/en/insights/2019/12/labor-trafficking-in-corporate-supply-chains" target="_blank">Labor Trafficking in Corporate Supply Chains-Where We Are Now</a>, Dec. 2019</li> <li><a href="https://www.jonesday.com/en/insights/2020/07/labor-trafficking-in-corporate-supply-chainssummer-2020-update" target="_blank">Labor Trafficking in Corporate Supply Chains-Summer 2020 Update</a>, July 2020</li> </ul> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p> </p> <p><em>Deborah Sprindzunas serves as the executive director of the Association for Health Care Resource & Materials Management, a professional membership group of the ���������� Association, and Laura Castellanos is associate director at AHA overseeing the association’s Hospitals Against Violence initiative.</em></p> <p>Sources:</p> <p>1. ILO Indicators of Forced Labor (International Labour Organization 2012), p. 3,<a href="https://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/---ed_norm/---declaration/documents/publication/wcms_203832.pdf" target="_blank"> https://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/---ed_norm/---declaration/documents/publication/wcms_203832.pdf</a></p> <p>2. 1 Bengali, S., These gloves help fight COVID-19. But they’re made in sweatshop conditions (L.A. Times Sept. 22, 2020), <a href="https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2020-09-22/covid-19-malaysia-gloves-forced-labor" target="_blank">https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2020-09-22/covid-19-malaysia-gloves-forced-labor</a></p> Thu, 05 Jan 2023 09:47:50 -0600 Human Trafficking /news/headline/2022-01-11-aha-marks-national-day-human-trafficking-awareness-new-resources <p>AHA’s Hospitals Against Violence Initiative, in recognition of <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/12/30/a-proclamation-on-national-human-trafficking-prevention-month-2022/">National Human Trafficking Awareness Day</a>, today released a <a href="https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1qQYQ4YEulTSbgyZ4sYXNsb-Lj07rL_Rc">digital toolkit</a> with assets that can be used by hospitals and health systems for the entirety of Human Trafficking Prevention Month. The toolkit includes social graphics, posts and videos for teaching local communities about the dangers of human trafficking; each are available in English and Spanish. More information can be found on AHA’s <a href="/combating-human-trafficking">Combating Human Trafficking page</a>.<br />  </p> Tue, 11 Jan 2022 18:17:39 -0600 Human Trafficking /news/headline/2021-12-03-white-house-releases-updated-national-plan-combat-human-trafficking <p>The White House today released an updated <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/National-Action-Plan-to-Combat-Human-Trafficking.pdf">national plan</a> to combat human trafficking, which identifies priority actions to enhance the federal response over the next three years. Among other priorities, these include Department of Health and Human Services’ <a href="https://www.acf.hhs.gov/otip/policy-guidance/us-department-health-and-human-services-priority-actions-national-action-plan">actions</a> to establish and implement a national prevention plan; address forced labor in public health supply chains; and enhance the response to human trafficking of youth through grants, community partnerships and other resources. The plan also calls particular attention to the underlying social determinants of health that create disproportionate risk for trafficking among communities of color, women and girls, LGBTQI+ individuals, and populations more susceptible to exploitation.</p> <p>The AHA’s Hospitals Against Violence initiative has been a leader along with many of its member hospitals and allied hospital associations in encouraging hospitals and health systems to continue their exemplary work combating human trafficking and caring for its victims. For resources to support hospital and health systems in their efforts to combat human trafficking, visit the HAV <a href="/combating-human-trafficking">webpage</a>.</p> Fri, 03 Dec 2021 11:51:44 -0600 Human Trafficking