This conference focused on the procedures, mechanisms and coordination necessary to improve numbers of child victims identified and provided access to services in the U.S.; training and information dissemination; appropriateness and availability of services; research on trafficking and evaluation of programs available; and strategies to ensure immediate care for all children in trafficking-like situations. The conference report covers major points of discussion, areas of consensus, issues in need of further analysis and policy and program recommendations. There is also a brief discussion on the scope of the trafficking problem in the U.S. Recommendations to the U.S. Government include providing each child with a legal guardian as soon as possible after he/she is identified; providing immediate services, including placement in licensed care; establishing a mechanism in the Department of Health and Human Services to determine a child eligible for services in the absence of law enforcement involvement; providing guidance to federally-funded trafficking grantees on proper procedures for rapid guardianship and services; providing complete guidance to DHHS system of care for children in federal custody regarding information and referral; devising a mechanism for the Department of Labor to refer children directly to DHHS; including language in the Department of Justice model state statute which would alllow state systems to service victims; extending outreach to juvenile justice systems and other entities charged with protecting children; evaluating current efforts to identify child victims; and providing resources for research on the trafficking of children.
