Ohio Awards Nearly $90,000 for Human Trafficking
Prevention
COLUMBUS,
Ohio – In conjunction with Human Trafficking Awareness Month, the Ohio
Children’s Trust Fund (OCTF), in collaboration with the Ohio Human Trafficking
Task Force, will award nearly $90,000 in grant money to fund seven organizations
to develop and implement human trafficking prevention programs across Ohio.
These projects will identify and assist at-risk youth populations and provide
them with information and resources to prevent human trafficking.
“The
essential work these organizations are undertaking represents a significant
step in our ongoing struggle to reduce and ultimately prevent this insidious
crime,” explained OCTF Executive Director Kristen Rost. “I applaud them for
their initiative and commitment to preventing human trafficking throughout
Ohio.”
Because of these programs,
community members, professionals, families and at-risk youth across Ohio will
receive much-needed human trafficking prevention services, outreach and
advocacy.
The
following seven organizations will receive funding to provide services:
·
Gracehaven,
Franklin County ($12,765)
·
Human
Trafficking Collaborative of Lorain County, Lorain
County ($15,000)
·
Licking
County Health Department, Licking County
($15,000)
·
Mid-East
Ohio Rescue and Restore Coalition, Muskingum,
Perry and Washington Counties ($3,426)
·
Montgomery
County Sheriff’s Office – RANGE Task Force, Montgomery
County ($15,000)
·
The
University of Toledo, Lucas County ($15,000)
·
Valley
Interfaith Community Resource Center, Hamilton
County ($13,359)
“Human
Trafficking Awareness Month represents an opportunity to recognize and support
the important human trafficking prevention programs and services being provided
by organizations such as these across Ohio,” said Sophia Papadimos, Ohio’s Anti-Human
Trafficking Coordinator. “Governor
Kasich encourages Ohioans to collaboratively work together to combat human
trafficking by getting involved in the prevention events and activities taking
place in their communities.”
The Ohio
Children’s Trust Fund is the state’s sole public funding source dedicated to
preventing abuse and neglect. Housed within the Ohio Department of Job and
Family Services, the Ohio Children’s Trust Fund works with its partners in
every county to serve all Ohio communities.
Gov.
Kasich created the Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force to marshal the state’s
resources to coordinate efforts to identify victims, create a coordinated law
enforcement system to investigate and prosecute human trafficking crimes, and
to provide the services and treatment necessary for victims to regain control
of their lives. To learn more about Ohio’s anti-trafficking efforts, please
visit humantrafficking.ohio.gov .
###
For additional information, contact:
Contact: Kristen N. Rost, Executive
Director
Ohio
Children’s Trust Fund
(614)
387-5478
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