Page 2 - ODJFS Human Trafficking Response Summary 2017-2018

Content- While agency awareness and response to trafficking has been identified and specialized response to youth victim/survivors of human trafficking/CSEC has been increasingly cultivated within MDTs, considerations for specialized sub-sets within this population have yet to be fully integrated into Ohio’s continuum of care. Iona Rudisill brought an intersectional and comprehensive response model to this session. Particular emphasis was placed on the disproportionate targeting of individuals with disabilities, how to overcome intrinsic identification barriers, and advanced service considerations for MDTs.
Emerging Trends in the Forensic Interviewing of Minor Victims of Trafficking - 5/21/18
Presenter- Kim Penna, LCSW holds a Master’s degree in Social Work and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. As a Forensic Interview Specialist for Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), she is responsible for conducting victim sensitive investigative interviews of victims and witnesses of child exploitation, human trafficking, child sex tourism, and other federal crimes, both domestically and internationally. Ms. Penna provides training, guidance, and assistance to HSI special agents and various other law enforcement personnel concerning the methods for interviewing victims and witnesses of crime.
Content- CACs regularly provide comprehensive forensic interviews for children referred to services through their centers. Specific trainings exist throughout the year that focus on considerations in interviewing youth who are at risk of or who have been trafficked from the perspective of a state investigation. This session provides supplemental content that expands these considerations from the perspective of federal-level investigations. Key focus areas include the compliance/consent lens, variance in state vs. federal engagement, neurological alterations via CPTSD, victim/survivor sensitive language, and how each stage of MDT interaction with the child lays a foundation for the efficacy of the forensic interview and subsequent services.
“What we have learned about juvenile sex trafficking from the kids in our court.” - 5/29/18
Presenter- Jaime Blair, J.D., came to the Summit County Juvenile Court as a volunteer Court Appointed Special Advocate for children in 2008. She has a passion to advocate for children and victims and has been privileged to chair the Summit County Juvenile Court Human Trafficking Committee as well as co- chair the Direct Services Committee of the Summit County Collaborative Against Human Trafficking. Jaime assisted in creating the juvenile court’s policy on human trafficking and coordinated the development of Restore Court, Ohio’s only certified specialized docket for juvenile human trafficking victims. In 2016, she was invited to join the Ohio Supreme Court’s first Trafficking of Children Workgroup. Jaime graduated magna cum laude from The University of Akron School of Law in 2013 and currently serves as Lead Judicial Attorney for Judge Linda Tucci Teodosio. She was also recently appointed as a magistrate on the Restore docket.
Content- One of many key promising practices being gradually implemented throughout Ohio are juvenile-specific human-trafficking diversion courts. In order to promote awareness, MDT advocacy, and potential development this presentation provided an overview of Restore Court. This then expanded into larger insights into the children participating in Restore Court connected services and considerations for poly-factor cases. Lastly, the presentation looks at barriers both in development of these diversion court responses and subsequently in ensuring positive outcomes for youth through close partnerships with providers.
Medical Response to Minor Victims of Sex Trafficking - 6/4/18
Presenter- Corey J. Rood, MD, is faculty with the Center for Safe and Healthy Families at Primary Children’s Hospital. As a child abuse pediatrician, his work focuses on the diagnosis, care, and management of potentially abused and neglected children. Dr. Rood’s clinical and research interests and expertise include commercially sexually exploited children (CSEC) including human trafficking, both international and domestic. Dr. Rood’s research endeavors include recent studies on sexting amongst adolescents and human trafficking screening tools.
Dr. Rood is an active member of many professional organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, its Section On Child Abuse & Neglect, and the Ray Helfer Society. He recently spent time as medical representation on Ohio’s Human Trafficking Task Force and is now a medical representative on