As we work to prevent human trafficking and child exploitation, how can we identify and help students who are the most vulnerable and need the most support? There are no perfect answers, but there are many strategies, tips, and tools educators can use.
This webinar highlighted best practices and resources for K-12 educators working with students who are at higher risk of being trafficked or exploited. We had presentations that discuss how to address the unique vulnerabilities of immigrant and refugee young people, students with disabilities, and young people involved in the child welfare system. The webinar also included a robust panel discussion with experts on specific populations including youth who are deaf and experiencing other physical and learning differences, unaccompanied minors, new immigrant students, and young people who are experiencing homelessness. The webinar concluded with an audience Q&A.
Speakers
- Dr. Beth Bowman, CEO, Restoring Ivy Collective, Person With Lived Experience, Professor, Gallaudet University, D.C.
- Lina M. Caswell, Associate Director, Children and Youth Programs, Church World Services, NJ
- Cali MacEachen, Program Officer, Aspire, U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants, VA
- Diane Smith Howard, Managing Attorney, Institutions and Community Integrations, National Disability Rights Network, D.C.
- Katie Talbott, Intervention Specialist, Kettering City School District, Orchard Park Elementary, OH
- Kaitlyn Zedalis, Associate Director, Research, Learning, & Advocacy, Covenant House Action & Research Tank (CHART), Covenant House, NJ
Webinar Materials
Related Resources
- Safety Planning with Foreign National Children and Youth Survivors of Trafficking, U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI)
- Out from the Shadows: Informal Removal of Children with Disabilities from Public Schools, National Disability Rights Network
- Desperation without Dignity: Conditions of Children Placed in For Profit Residential Facilities, National Disability Rights Network
- SchoolHouse Connection
- SOAR Online Training, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
- Video: Early Screening Identifying Victims of Human Trafficking - QYIT, Covenant House New Jersey
- Covenant House Action & Research Tank (CHART), Covenant House New Jersey
In Case You Missed It:
- Guide: Human Trafficking in America’s Schools: How Schools Can Combat Trafficking in Partnership with People with Lived Experience
- Webinar: Building Protective Factors to Reduce Student Vulnerability to Human Trafficking
- Webinar: The Impact of Bias, Inequities, and Injustices in Supporting Students Impacted by Human Trafficking
- Webinar: Addressing Human Trafficking: Supporting Vulnerable Populations and Effectively Reintegrating Students
More Information
For more information and resources, visit the following webpages dedicated to human trafficking: ED’s Human Trafficking webpage; the U.S. Department of State’s Human Trafficking webpage; and the Administration for Children and Families’ Office of Trafficking Persons’ webpage.
To view previous webinars in this series, go here. To offer questions for consideration by the speakers on this webinar, email them to ncssle@air.org with “Webinar Question” in the subject line.