Component: Anti-Human Trafficking Community Supports

Legislation: Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017 (CYFSA), Ministry of Community and Social Services Act, 1990

Service objectives

To provide community-based, residential accommodation, group care and supervision supports for children and youth who are experiencing social, emotional, behavioural, mental health or addiction issues that can reasonably be associated with the lived experience of being sex trafficked.

To provide appropriate coping strategy and skill development training that will enable the child or youth to function effectively at home, at school and in the community, and/or transition to safe and sustainable independent living.

Service description

Program/service features

The Program/Services contracted by the ministry will reflect the following features:

People served

  • Children and youth with an identified social, emotional, behavioural or mental health need or addiction as a result of the trauma they experienced by having been sex trafficked
  • Children and youth – female and/or female-identified and at least 12 years old and under 18 years of age at time of intake

Services will be

  • Reflective and responsive to the voice, wishes and needs of the child/youth, as well as family and community strengths and needs
  • Accountable to the child/youth, family and community
  • Respectful and responsive to the diverse needs of all children and youth, recognizing the impact of systemic racism on marginalized populations which may include members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community, and individuals of colour, and Indigenous communities including First Nations, Metis or Inuit
  • Services will take into account the child/youth’s ability, race, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, ethno-cultural background, and First Nations, Metis, or Inuit identity in all case management/planning decisions
  • Based on the child's or youth's assessed needs, preferences and available individual, agency, community and contracted ministry resources

Safety planning

  • Services include the development of safety strategies or plans for the child or youth
  • A safety plan identifies the steps that should be taken to support the health, safety and welfare of the child or youth being served and should set out measures to mitigate risk of further attempted exploitation. It should include, but not be limited to:
    • Emergency escape plans for various situations (i.e., going to court, school, home); and
    • A list of emergency and resource numbers
  • Safety plans reflect the child’s/youth’s immediate personal circumstances, needs and choices. The plan will be comprehensive, concrete, include safety strategies and referrals to appropriate services. Plans will be reviewed every 30 days and updated based on changing circumstances

Section 23 classroom

  • Treatment and support, within a Section 23 classroom, for children and youth who cannot attend a local school because of their mental health needs
  • Section 23 Classrooms are provided under authority of the Education Act to deliver educational programs to children and youth
  • Transfer Payment Recipient has entered into an agreement with the Ministry of Education detailing staffing ratios, timetable, location and nature and frequency of care, treatment or support services to be provided during school hours
  • Staffed by individuals with the appropriate range of skills and abilities necessary to respond effectively to the needs of children, youth and families
  • The support is based on the child's/youth's assessed needs, preferences and available individual, agency, community and contracted ministry resources

Program goals

  • Community-based residential accommodation, group care, supervision and supports 24-hours per day
  • A safe living space where all referred children and youth have been assessed for risk and level of entrenchment before being admitted
    • Risk assessments will be conducted by trained staff using Transition, Education and Resources for Females (TERF’s) Sexually Exploited Youth (SEY) Tool. The result of the Tool’s assessment should be considered, in addition to other factors such as staff and professionals’ judgement, when making intake and discharge decisions
  • Intensive counseling and multi-dimensional services and supports for children and youth who are experiencing social, emotional or behavioural difficulties at home, in school or in the community that can reasonably be associated with the lived experience of being sex trafficked
  • Programming and polices that are reflective and inclusive of the range of manifestations of trauma demonstrated by children and youth who have been sex trafficked
  • Programming and policies that recognize and support child/youth’s healing based on the sex trafficking victim’s mindset and the process of behaviour change called the Stages of Change Model, as it relates specifically to persons who have been sex trafficked
  • Children and youth have regular access to a peer mentor, a person with lived experience of sex trafficking
  • Activities for children and youth support the development of life skills, physical activity and mental wellness, providing stimulating and/or calming opportunities, as needed, that reflect child’s/youth’s interests and meet their needs
  • A residential setting that provides, through trauma-informed design and furnishings, both private and shared spaces, natural light, access to outdoor spaces and comfortable seating
  • Individual bedrooms for each child/youth that includes storage for clothing and personal items

Staff training

  • Staff to be provided ministry-facilitated multi-day training trained in the theory and practice of working with sexually exploited children and youth, including Indigenous-specific training
  • Staff to be provided ministry-facilitated training trained in assessing referred clients for risk using TERF’s Sexually Exploited Youth (SEY) Risk Assessment Tool
  • Staff working directly with children and youth are provided training in:
    • Crisis intervention
    • Trauma informed responses
    • Bias and inclusion that includes discussion of:
      • anti-oppression
      • anti-Black racism
      • racism against persons who are, Indigenous or Persons of Colour (POC) racism
      • discrimination against persons who identify as LGBTQ2S
      • Stages of Change Model as it would relate to sex trafficking
      • Sex trafficking (how children are recruited, exploited and traumatized); and Strength-based approaches to working with sex trafficked children and youth
  • Maintain a staff training plan that includes up-to-date records of staff training completed, as well as plans for training new staff

Policies and procedures

In addition to the policies and procedures required under the CYFSA, its regulations and any ministry policies:

  • The Transfer Payment Recipient will develop and implement intake and discharge policies and procedures that recognize, reflect, and are inclusive of the range of manifestations of trauma experienced by children and youth who have been sex trafficked
  • The Transfer Payment Recipient will develop and implement policies and procedures for children and youth’s’ unplanned absences that include:
    • Notifying the appropriate authorities, for example Children at Risk of Exploitation (CARE) Unit; and
    • Holding the child’s/youth’s bed for 30 consecutive days of unplanned absence, recognizing that children and youth who are sex trafficked are often lured back into exploitation multiple times before successfully exiting
  • The Transfer Payment Recipient will respect the sector’s best data privacy, security and management practices, including when applicable, the Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA) and all other legal requirements. The Recipient must ensure staff are aware of its duties in terms of privacy and security requirements, which must be documented in writing. Staff must further comply with any specific privacy and security requirements MCCSS may have.

Ministry expectations

  • The Transfer Payment Recipient will provide children/youth with information regarding additional community services and supports that may be suitable and, where appropriate, supported in accessing these services (e.g., through a referral)
  • The Transfer Payment Recipient will provide youth leaving the care of a children’s aid society (society) with a referral to a Youth-in-Transition-Worker specializing in human trafficking who is employed by a community agency
  • The Transfer Payment Recipient will provide youth 16- and 17-years old in a Voluntary Youth Services Agreement (VYSA) with a referral to a Housing Support Worker who is employed by a community agency to help the youth find and retain suitable housing upon leaving the program
  • The Transfer Payment Recipient will have in place reasonable and appropriate measures to keep resident children and youth safe, when at the agency’s service location
  • The Transfer Payment Recipient will maintain an up-to-date database of other agencies providing services and supports appropriate for its clients and residents, to facilitate appropriate referrals
  • The Canadian Centre to End Human Trafficking (CCEHT) provides a hotline for callers with questions about human trafficking supports and services in Canada and is a central data collection mechanism
  • The Recipient will promote to children, youth and families the existence of the CCEHT whenever possible, including in print materials, websites, training sessions, and promotional materials, etc.
  • The Recipient will inform the CCEHT of any changes service to their programs and services– such as new programs added, changes to program locations or hours, cancellation of programs or services, or changes to its contact information contacts. The information must be shared within two weeks of making such changes
  • The Transfer Payment Recipient should comply with all aspects of the French Language Services Act and in designated areas provide an “active offer of services” in French. French speaking individuals should be informed about the available services in French and signs in both English and French should be displayed and visible in public areas
  • The Transfer Payment Recipient will develop appropriate referral criteria and mechanisms with children’s aid societies and other appropriate children’s services in order to maximize the effectiveness of services for children and youth
  • The Transfer Payment Recipient will provide all children and youth who have been admitted into the program an opportunity to complete a ministry post-survey, if such survey is provided by the ministry

Reporting requirements

The following service data will be reported on at an Interim and Final stage. Please refer to your final agreement for report back due dates and targets.

Service Data Name Definition

# of Admissions: Licensed Children’s Residences for Trafficked Youth

Count of all individuals who requested and received services in a licensed children’s residence for trafficked youth in the reporting year. The same individual can be counted more than once if the individual re-enters the service (i.e., this is not a unique individual count). Admissions must be documented. E.g., an individual begins staying at the residence in April. The individual leaves the residence after two weeks and returns to the residence in August. In this scenario, two counts under Admissions are reported because the individual is counted as two admissions. If the client carries into the next fiscal year, the client is reported again in the new reporting period.

# of Bed Days Available: Licensed Children’s Residences for Trafficked Youth

The cumulative number of days a residential space is available and staffed during the reporting period. Only includes ministry- funded beds directly operated by your TPA (not via a third party).

# of Beds: Licensed Children’s Residences for Trafficked Youth

The number of beds dedicated for use (i.e. capacity).

# of Individual Achieve Goal(s) & Exited the Program: Licensed Children’s Residences for Trafficked Youth

The total number of client consultations for whom a record has been created and who were recipients of the approved service(s) at some point during the fiscal year.

# of Individual Exit Program Prior to its Completion: Discharge Conduct Group: License Children's Residences Trafficked Youth

The total number of client consultations for whom a record has been created and who were recipients of the approved service(s) at some point during the fiscal year.

# of Individual Exit the Program Prior to its Completion: Withdraw Program: License Children's Residences Trafficked Youth

The total number of client consultations for whom a record has been created and who were recipients of the approved service(s) at some point during the fiscal year.

# of Individual Exit the Program Prior to its Completion: Involve in YJ Sys. License Children’s Residences Trafficked Youth

The total number of client consultations for whom a record has been created and who were recipients of the approved service(s) at some point during the fiscal year.

# of Individual Served by Type: Crisis Intervention: License Children's Residences Trafficked Youth

The total number of client consultations for whom a record has been created and who were recipients of the approved service(s) at some point during the fiscal year.

# of Individual Served by Type: Counselling and Therapy: License Children's Residences Trafficked Youth

The total number of client consultations for whom a record has been created and who were recipients of the approved service(s) at some point during the fiscal year.

# of Individual Served by Type: HT Youth-in- Transition Worker: License Children's Residences Trafficked Youth

The total number of client consultations for whom a record has been created and who were recipients of the approved service(s) at some point during the fiscal year.

# of Individual Served by Type: Legal/Advocacy: Licensed Children’s Residences for Trafficked Youth

The total number of client consultations for whom a record has been created and who were recipients of the approved service(s) at some point during the fiscal year.

# of Individual Served by Type: Service Coord.: Licensed Child. License Children's Residences Trafficked Youth

The total number of client consultations for whom a record has been created and who were recipients of the approved service(s) at some point during the fiscal year.

# of Individual Served by Type: Mental Health and Addiction: License Children's Residences Trafficked Youth

The total number of client consultations for whom a record has been created and who were recipients of the approved service(s) at some point during the fiscal year.

# of Individuals Served (total): Licensed Children’s Residences for Trafficked Youth

Unique, or unduplicated, count of all individuals who requested and received services in a licensed children’s residence for trafficked youth in the reporting year. The count represents an active client roster for the year. If the client carries into the next fiscal year, the client is counted again in the new reporting period. An individual is counted only once per reporting period. For example: if the client was reported in Q2 and carries over into the next reporting period, the client is reported again in Q4. An individual is only reported for residential clients, non- residential clients and inquiries are excluded from this data element. The number of Individuals Served (total) must be equal to the total number of Individuals Served by Age.

# of Individuals Served by Type: Peer Mentor: Licensed Children’s Residences for Trafficked Youth

The number of young persons who are the recipients of the approved service in a secure custody residential program during the fiscal year (April 1st – March 31st). A young person will be counted as follows: One program start and completion in a fiscal year: A young person is counted once in a fiscal year where the service is completed. Multiple services/one service provider: Where a young person is receiving multiple services from one service provider, that young person is counted in each program. Multiple admissions in-year – same service/same program: A young person is counted once if there is a break in service in the fiscal year and the young person re-enters the same program, with the same service provider A young person is counted as a new admission if they return to the same service provider on referral by the case manager to attend a new or similar program. Same service is defined as a program delivered to a youth addressing one (original) charge.

# of Individuals Served: 12-15: Licensed Children’s Residences for Trafficked Youth

Unique, or unduplicated, count of all individuals between the ages of 12 to 15 (at the time of admission) who received services in a licensed children’s residence for trafficked youth in the reporting year. The count represents an active client roster for the year. If the client carries into the next fiscal year, the client is counted again in the new reporting period. An individual is counted only once per reporting period. For example: if the client was reported in Q2 and carries over into the next reporting period, the client is reported again in Q4. An individual is only reported for residential clients, non-residential clients and inquiries are excluded from this data element.

# of Individuals Served: 16-17: Licensed Children’s Residences for Trafficked Youth

Unique, or unduplicated, count of all individuals between the ages of 16 to 17 (at the time of admission) who received services in a licensed children’s residence for trafficked youth in the reporting year. The count represents an active client roster for the year. If the client carries into the next fiscal year, the client is counted again in the new reporting period. An individual is counted only once per reporting period. For example: if the client was reported in Q2 and carries over into the next reporting period, the client is reported again in Q4. An individual is only reported for residential clients, non-residential clients and inquiries are excluded from this data element.

# of Individuals Served: Another Race Category: Licensed Children’s Residences for Trafficked Youth

Unique, or unduplicated, count of all individuals who received services in a licensed children’s residence for trafficked youth in the reporting year who identify as a different race from those provided. An individual is counted only once, regardless of the number of contacts with the individual. This category is based on an individual’s self-identification. Data collection should allow respondents to select all categories that apply.

# of Individuals Served: Black: Licensed Children’s Residences for Trafficked Youth

Unique, or unduplicated, count of all individuals who received services in a licensed children’s residence for trafficked youth in the reporting year who identify as Black (e.g., African, Afro- Caribbean, African-Canadian descent). An individual is counted only once, regardless of the number of contacts with the individual. This category is based on an individual’s self- identification. Data collection should allow respondents to select all categories that apply.

# of Individuals Served: East/Southeast Asian: Licensed Children’s Residences for Trafficked Youth

Unique, or unduplicated, count of all individuals who received services in a licensed children’s residence for trafficked youth in the reporting year who identify as East/Southeast Asian descent (e.g., Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Taiwanese descent, Filipino, Vietnamese, Cambodian, Thai, Indonesian, other East/Southeast Asian descent). An individual is counted only once, regardless of the number of contacts with the individual. This category is based on an individual’s self-identification. Data collection should allow respondents to select all categories that apply.

# of Individuals Served: Indigenous: Licensed Children’s Residences for Trafficked Youth

Unique, or unduplicated, count of all individuals who received services in a licensed children’s residence for trafficked youth in the reporting year who identify as First Nations, Métis, or Inuit descent. An individual is counted only once, regardless of the number of contacts with the individual. This category is based on an individual’s self-identification. Data collection should allow respondents to select all categories that apply.

# of Individuals Served: Latina/Latinx: Licensed Children’s Residences for Trafficked Youth

Unique, or unduplicated, count of all individuals who received services in a licensed children’s residence for trafficked youth in the reporting year who identify as Latin American or Hispanic descent. An individual is counted only once, regardless of the number of contacts with the individual. This category is based on an individual’s self-identification. Data collection should allow respondents to select all categories that apply.

# of Individuals Served: Middle Eastern: Licensed Children’s Residences for Trafficked Youth

Unique, or unduplicated, count of all individuals who received services in a licensed children’s residence for trafficked youth in the reporting year who identify as Arab, Persian, West Asian descent (e.g., Afghan, Egyptian, Iranian, Lebanese, Turkish, Kurdish, etc.). An individual is counted only once, regardless of the number of contacts with the individual. This category is based on an individual’s self-identification. Data collection should allow respondents to select all categories that apply.

# of Individuals Served: Prefer Not to Answer: Licensed Children’s Residences for Trafficked Youth

Unique, or unduplicated, count of all individuals who received services in a licensed children’s residence for trafficked youth in the reporting year who prefer not to identify their race. An individual is counted only once, regardless of the number of contacts with the individual. This category is based on an individual’s self-identification. Data collection should allow respondents to select all categories that apply.

# of Individuals Served: South Asian: Licensed Children’s Residences for Trafficked Youth

Unique, or unduplicated, count of all individuals who received services in a licensed children’s residence for trafficked youth in the reporting year who identify as South Asian descent (e.g., East Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Sri Lankan, Indo-Caribbean, etc.). An individual is counted only once, regardless of the number of contacts with the individual. This category is based on an individual’s self-identification. Data collection should allow respondents to select all categories that apply.

# of Individuals Served: White: Licensed Children’s Residences for Trafficked Youth

Unique, or unduplicated, count of all individuals who received services in a licensed children’s residence for trafficked youth in the reporting year who identify as European descent. An individual is counted only once, regardless of the number of contacts with the individual. This category is based on an individual’s self-identification. Data collection should allow respondents to select all categories that apply.

# of Resident Days: Licensed Children’s Residences for Trafficked Youth

The number of calendar-days an individual is served in the residential space. The day of entry to service is counted and the day of exit is not counted. When the individual enters and leaves the service on the same day, one day is counted. Note: The day of exit is not counted to allow accurate calculation of occupancy rates. Otherwise the same bed would be counted twice for two different individuals on the same day. In order to track resident days, take a daily census of occupied beds and add up the census to calculate the total resident days for the reporting period.

# of Vacant and Unassignable Bed Days: Licensed Children’s Residences for Trafficked Youth

The cumulative number of spaces each day in the reporting period that are vacant but unassignable due to the configuration of rooms or because of a client need. The total spaces that are unassignable due to room configuration or a client need on each day of the reporting period are added. Only ministry-funded beds directly operated by your TPA (not via third party) should be reported in this data element. This data is intended to show the organization’s true capacity to provide service. Rooms that are closed due to renovations are not reported under this data element, since they can be derived from Bed Days Available. To track this data element, use the following method: Take a daily census of all vacant ministry- funded beds that are not available due to room configuration or a client need. Add up the total daily unassignable bed count to report vacant and unassignable beds.

# of Individual Served by Type: Care, Treatment., Custody and Correctional Program.: License Children's Residences Trafficked Youth

The total number of youth participants who reported that they were enrolled in post-secondary education and training programs.

Licensed Children’s Residencies for Trafficked Youth: Ministry- funded Agency Expenditures

Total ministry-funded expenses for the Transfer Payment Recipient to administer and/or deliver this program in the reporting year (cumulative).