Announcing The My Life My Choice Prevention Solution Fellowship
At My Life My Choice, we are constantly thinking about innovative solutions to the insidious problem of the commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC). Effectively addressing this complex issue requires creative thinking, dedicated individuals, and an informed approach. Among the strongest assets in this fight are our partners in congregate care programs across the country—those on the front lines, working directly with youth at high risk of exploitation.
We are thrilled to announce the My Life My Choice Prevention Solution Fellowship, a brand new opportunity for congregate care programs across the country to receive free training, consultation, and partnership in implementing our groundbreaking Prevention Solution Model.
Funded by a generous grant from the Sue Hostetler and Beau Wrigley Family Foundation, this exciting new initiative aims to increase capacity and impact in the area of human trafficking prevention on a national scale.
The My Life My Choice Prevention Solution Model is a tiered approach designed to shift attitudes, knowledge, and skills, backed by research that demonstrates its success in preventing CSEC among youth at the highest risk of exploitation using the 10-session My Life My Choice Exploitation Prevention Curriculum. By educating youth at disproportionate risk of exploitation, as well as training the individuals and organizations who serve them, up through advocacy within the systems that shape organizations’ and governing bodies’ responses to the issue, the PSM provides a comprehensive, effective method of preventing CSEC among adolescents.
Five congregate care organizations serving adolescent girls will be selected through a rigorous application process to receive free training and consultation from expert My Life My Choice staff in implementing the Prevention Solution Model in their programs, beginning September 1st, 2020.
Over the course of 12 months, these programs will gain invaluable skills and tools for effective CSEC prevention, engaging in multilevel in-person and online staff training, networking opportunities including survivor leadership, and ongoing consultation designed to facilitate long-term implementation of the Prevention Solution Model.
As congregate care facilities across the country work to comply with the new Family First Prevention Services Act and create quality residential programming aimed at preventing exploitation, the Prevention Solution Model is a well-researched method for moving forward.
Fellowship applicants must demonstrate an existing investment in combatting the issue of CSEC in their programs, as well as a commitment to sustaining the practices, policies, and CSEC prevention programming of the Prevention Solution Model beyond the Fellowship period.
We encourage all interested female-serving congregate care organizations to apply, from any location in the United States outside of Massachusetts. The first round of the application process will open on Monday, May 4th, 2020. Applications will be accepted, and applicants notified about moving forward, on a rolling basis until Friday, May 29th.
For more information or to apply, click here. Please email Kyle Mushkin, Director of Prevention, at kmushkin@jri.org with any questions.