HumanTrafficking.org | United States of America NGO: Florida Freedom Partnership

A web resource for combating human trafficking

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United States of America

Florida Freedom Partnership

Address

P.O. Box 522222
Miami, FL 33152

Contact Information

If calling from United States of America:

Tel: 1 305 640 9856; 1 866 443 0106

If calling from overseas:

Tel: +1 305 640 9856; +1 866 443 0106

Website

http://www.floridafreedom.org

Email

info@floridafreedom.org

Other Forms of Contact

Hotline: 1 888 373 7888

Activities

The Florida Freedom Partnership (FFP) provides a rapid-response, comprehensive support system for trafficked persons while building the capacity of the South Florida community to better understand and respond to the needs of trafficked persons. FFP was awarded a grant from the Department of Justice's (DOJ) Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) for the period of January 1, 2003 to December 31, 2005, and a grant from the Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) for April 1, 2003 to March 31, 2006, to work directly with trafficked persons and to educate the community about the facts of human trafficking.

To help combat human trafficking, FFP offers case management, safe and appropriate housing, legal services, medical care, and clinical intervention to trafficked persons in South Florida . Victims may contact FFP's information line directly or be referred by law enforcement, DOJ, service providers, or good Samaritans. The Rapid Response Team, which includes a program specialist, a mental health advocate, and a translator, responds directly to a case. At intake, a victim is assessed to determine his or her needs, and a service plan is developed to respond to those needs and to strive to reach the victim's goals. After detailing the role of FFP, law enforcement, government agencies, and a trafficked person's rights, the program specialist coordinates efforts within FFP and with agencies whose services the victim may require. Case management provides trafficked persons with rapid, on-site assessment and intake, an orientation of services available to them, bus passes, cash assistance, employment services, referrals to service providers, and individualized service plans, which include post-certification planning for victims to reach self-sufficiency. Housing is available to trafficked persons at a safe, appropriate site. Victims receive basic health care services such as a general exam, immunizations, and a tuberculosis test at a shelter, hospital, or clinic that offers free medical care to individuals without income or health insurance. Mental health advocates provide on-site crisis intervention and twenty-five hours of clinical intervention to help victims find relief from trauma and achieve stability. Lawyers and paralegals aid victims with any criminal charges and immigration issues at no cost to the victim. They help obtain and file paperwork for the Department of Health and Human Services' certification letter, employment authorization document, T- visa, fee waivers, and file supplements for family members.

FFP has launched a public education campaign to deliver critical, accurate, and balanced information, to six counties in South Florida - Dade, Broward, Palm Beach , St. Lucie, Collier, and Monroe - while raising awareness of human trafficking at the national, state, and local levels. FFP leads training seminars on human trafficking for law enforcement personnel, social service agencies, and community-based organizations. The sessions concentrate on awareness, protocols, appropriate referrals, and networking. To facilitate a continual focus on human trafficking, FFP will initiate community forum groups in the six designated counties in South Florida over the duration of the grant. FFP's current language capacity includes English, Haitian Creole, Portuguese, French, and other languages based on need.

FFP is currently located out of four South Florida counties: which are Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, and Collier.