Responding to Child Victims of Human Trafficking - Idaho

State Agency Responsibilities

Citation: CFS Policy Standards

The purpose of this standard is to provide direction and guidance to Child and Family Services (CFS) programs regarding reporting and responding requirements for incidents of human trafficking of children. Children and youth in foster care are particularly vulnerable to child trafficking and runaway episodes. To better address the needs of this high-risk population, the Preventing Sex Trafficking and Strengthening Families Act of 2014 (P.L. 113-183) introduced provisions for child welfare agencies to identify and provide services to child trafficking victims and youth at risk of becoming victims.

State child welfare agencies are required to do the following:

• Identify any child or youth over whom the agency has responsibility for placement, care, or supervision and whom the agency has reasonable cause to believe is, or is at risk of being, a trafficking victim (including children for whom the agency has an open case but who have not been removed from the home)
• Report immediately, and in no case later than 24 hours after receiving information on children or youth who have been identified as being a trafficking victim, to law enforcement
• Document and determine appropriate services for children and youth at risk of trafficking or children who have been identified as victims of trafficking

CFS social workers must do the following:

• Coordinate with law enforcement, juvenile justice, and social services agencies to assess the safety of the child who is reported to be a child victim of trafficking and, if indicated, ensure the provision of appropriate services to the child
• Assess every child who is the subject of a safety assessment for trafficking during the initial comprehensive safety assessment
• Screen every child who is receiving services with CFS for trafficking on an ongoing basis
• Screen every youth in foster care who has run away or been abducted for child trafficking after their return
• Report all instances of child trafficking to law enforcement within 24 hours of receiving information that the child is or could be a victim of trafficking
• Follow documentation and reporting protocol for child victims of trafficking

Training Requirement

This issue is not addressed in the statutes and regulations reviewed.

Diversion From Prosecution

This issue is not addressed in the statutes and regulations reviewed.

Services and Supports for Victims

Citation: CFS Policy Standards

CFS social workers are required to engage in initial and ongoing efforts to identify and, as necessary, ensure the provision of appropriate services to the child.

CFS social workers are not experts in child trafficking. It is imperative the social worker coordinate with community partners and organizations to address the needs of a child trafficking victim. The social worker must notify law enforcement within 24 hours of becoming aware the child was trafficked. Collaboration with local child advocacy centers, multidisciplinary teams, juvenile justice, and experts in therapeutic interventions with trafficking victims is required and necessary to meet the needs of child trafficking victims.

Support for Anti-Trafficking Efforts

This issue is not addressed in the statutes and regulations reviewed.