Graham Wilson

The Human Trafficking Institute (HTI) outlines its strategic approach to combat human trafficking by empowering justice systems, specifically focusing on North Carolina. The plan's core goals are to improve victim identification and recovery, increase investigations and prosecutions of traffickers, and build sustainable capacity within justice systems. HTI achieves this through developing high-impact enforcement hubs, conducting needs assessments, providing custom high-level training, offering ongoing support (mentorship, practitioner portal, follow-up training), and utilizing data-driven solutions for continuous improvement and measurable impact. The anticipated outcomes include an increase in identified victims, arrests, investigations, prosecutions, and an overall reduction in trafficking incidents through deterrence.

The meeting included the swearing-in of new commissioners and the review of the ethics statement. Key discussions involved the formation of informal working groups for vetting and certification, material review, and vendor collaboration, as well as presentations from the Human Trafficking Institute. Updates were provided on the Department of Labor's modular training units, State Highway Patrol's Operation Guardian, the State Bureau of Investigation's translation services and financial investigator search, and training efforts by the Conference of District Attorneys. Representatives from Polaris shared updates on the National Human Trafficking Hotline's new workflow, and representatives from the Department of Public Instruction discussed educational standards and mandatory training requirements for school staff regarding child sexual abuse and sex trafficking.

This strategic plan from the NC Office of Violence Prevention aims to reduce violence and firearm misuse across North Carolina by empowering communities with the tools, resources, and expertise for safety and well-being. The plan focuses on three core goals: enhancing collaboration and coordination among local, state, and federal partners; strengthening the violence prevention workforce through establishing core competencies and expanding outreach; and preparing and empowering communities to implement evidence-based strategies using a public health approach.

The commission discussed organizational updates regarding the restructuring and expansion of internal working groups and committees. Key agency updates were provided by the State Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Labor concerning upcoming human trafficking awareness training requirements for lodging staff, and the State Highway Patrol regarding interdiction initiatives. A presentation on a state-wide housing survey detailed service gaps for human trafficking victims, including specific challenges for males, unaccompanied minors, and those in rural areas. Additionally, an overview of the Survivor Inclusion Initiative was provided, focusing on enhancing financial inclusion and banking access for survivors to aid in financial stability. General staff reports covered grant status updates, software demonstrations, and regional collaboration efforts.

The committee reviewed legislative updates concerning grant program needs, including budget appropriations and specific technical corrections. A status update on federal grant appropriations was provided, detailing expenditure progress and the transition of the grants management system to a new platform. The committee also discussed the status of direct service grants for the current fiscal year and the ongoing application review and scoring process for the upcoming grant cycle.