The National Strategy for Child Exploitation Prevention and Interdiction

4. Department of Health and Human Services EffortsAt the federal level, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is responsible forhelping victims of human trafficking become eligible to receive benefits and services so theymay rebuild their lives safely in the United States. It does this primarily through three officeswithin the Administration for Children and Families: the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Divisionwithin the Office of Refugee Resettlement; the Office on Child Abuse and Neglect’s programs inthe Children’s Bureau; and the Family and Youth Services Bureau, which administers theRunaway and Homeless Youth program.The Anti-Trafficking in Persons Division within the Office of Refugee Resettlement helps certifyadult victims of “a severe form of trafficking” so that these individuals are able to receivefederally funded benefits and services to the same extent as refugees. Though not required to becertified by HHS, minors who are determined to be victims receive “Eligibility Letters” for thesame types of benefits, as well as the Unaccompanied Refugee Minor Program’s therapeuticfoster care services.a. The Office on Child Abuse and NeglectThe Office on Child Abuse and Neglect provides leadership and direction on the issues of childmaltreatment and the prevention of abuse and neglect under the Child Abuse Prevention andTreatment Act (CAPTA). They are the focal point for interagency collaborative efforts, nationalconferences, and special initiatives related to child abuse and neglect, and for coordinatingactivities related to the prevention of abuse and neglect and the protection of children at-risk.They support activities to build networks of community-based, prevention-focused familyresource and support programs through the Community-Based Family Resource and SupportProgram. They also support improvement in the systems that handle child abuse and neglectcases, particularly child sexual abuse and exploitation and maltreatment related fatalities, andimprovement in the investigation and prosecution of these cases through the Children's JusticeAct.The Runaway and Homeless Youth Program assists homeless youths, providing basicnecessities, reuniting youths with their families when possible, and aiding the transition toadulthood for older homeless youths who cannot return home. The Runaway and HomelessYouth Program provides four primary services:• The Basic Center Program provides financial assistance to establish or strengthencommunity-based programs addressing the immediate needs of runaway and homelessyouth and their families.• Transitional Living Program grantees provide long-term, supportive assistance to olderhomeless youth, ages 16 to 21, who cannot return to their families but are not yetequipped to live on their own.89