Preventing CSEC: The Power of Partnership
Written by Stephanie Judith Batista, Prevention Coordinator
My Life My Choice has officially launched the 4th annual National Prevention Solution Fellowship (PSF) with three programs in Connecticut and one in North Dakota. This fellowship aims to build capacity and increase impact in the area of human trafficking prevention on a national scale by supporting organizations serving youth at high-risk in implementing our evidence-based, gender-responsive, and survivor-informed Prevention Solution Model.
The ongoing professional partnership with our PSF partners, even those from our first national cohort, has proven an effective strategy in achieving the PSF’s objectives to preventing and reducing CSEC in congregate care programs throughout the country.
Our PSF Alumni Report highlights the findings from an online survey presented to PSF programs on the impact of the PSF on their organization. 36% of alumni report a moderate to significant decrease in the number of youth who go missing from care and 45% percent report a moderate to significant decrease in the length of time youth go missing from care. Most importantly, 100% of staff are better equipped to respond to youth disclosing CSEC.
One-third of our alumni said they have been able to send new staff to My Life My Choice trainings, including the addition of a mandatory training about CSEC upon hire. Most alumni agencies have also incorporated prevention groups using My Life My Choice’s prevention curriculum into treatment plans for youth when appropriate or have plans to do so in the future.
When asked how youth have benefited from the Prevention Solution Model at their agency, our alumni provided numerous anecdotes and examples to showcase how comfortable youth feel in groups and how this safety carries into their conversations with staff and clinicians.
Bridges Homeward, Cambridge, Massachusetts
“PSF was a fantastic experience. We were excited to implement changes in our houses prior to closing our group homes. Our IFC and IL programs additionally benefited from these trainings and programs, and we hope to continue to support CSEC youth in these capacities.”
Holly Hill Child & Family Solutions, Highland Heights, Kentucky
“Youth report having a safe space in the groups. Youth have used the groups to make insightful connections into their own family and histories that then can be addressed in clinical sessions.”
“This has created so many light bulb moments. - we have been able to improve our program.”
“We will continue to offer the groups, send staff to training[s], and work on building more family engagement to support the youth in the community. We will also continue to reach out to My Life My Choice as they have all the knowledge and passion to keep us on track.”
Carolina Youth Development Center, North Charleston, South Carolina
“Our experience was comprehensive, and the lessons learned were invaluable. Our therapist has continued to use My Life My Choice in treatment planning and service delivery.”
“Our youth are recognizing patterns of CSEC in their lives and understanding the risks and dangers associated with CSEC. Their confidence in responding is improving.”
Several PSF alumni also shared their experience partnering with My Life My Choice:
Valley Youth House THRIVE Program, Bethlehem, PA
“My Life My Choice has been essential to helping us not only bring our vision of a housing model to life, but has helped us work through every challenge, listened and validated our struggles and consistently provides us with feedback and advice to keep us in the work. We've appreciated the survivor led focus on creating and implementing programming. They have supported us and also challenged us to ensure our youth are receiving trauma informed and survivor informed services. As the providers implementing programming, we have reached out to MLMC on some of the most challenging of days and they have supported us every single time. We would not have been able to open our THRIVE program without their guidance, training and ongoing support!”
Megan Sell, B.S., Supervisor Valley Youth House THRIVE Program
Alycha Boehm, MSW, LSW, Clinical Supervisor THRIVE Program
Covenant House Alaska, Anchorage, Alaska
“This work requires diversity, collaboration and community- we can’t do this without partners like My Life My Choice and we wouldn’t want to. More than just the resources for our clients, and the wealth of knowledge sharing, this partnership broadens our service community of like-minded and passionate people who can empathize with our struggles and share in our wins. Sometimes this work can feel really professionally isolating- it’s nice knowing we know people outside of Alaska who know us and support us”.
Josie Heyano
If you're interested in applying to our next Prevention Solution Fellowship cohort, please contact Nikki Valila, Senior Director of Training and Partnerships, at nvalila@jri.org with any questions.