A news update from the National Latin@ Network
Table of Contents

Exploring Human Trafficking: Identifying Survivors

By: María Cristina Pacheco Alcalá, Project Coordinator, and Olga Trujillo, JD, Director of Education & Advocacy, Casa de Esperanza: National Latin@ Network

In recognition of Human Trafficking Awareness Month, which occurs every January, Casa de Esperanza has released this overview of the topic for advocates and other direct service providers to use in their work to increase awareness about human trafficking and identify potential survivors.

Overview
Human trafficking is both a criminal act and a human rights violation that affects individuals and communities worldwide in urban, suburban and rural areas. It's not easy to detect because it can involve mainstream survivors are afraid to seek help and often do not identify themselves as victims. Trafficked persons can be from any background or ethnicity and might be citizens, legal residents or people without immigration status.

Click here to read the blog and get sample intake questions to help identify human trafficking victims
API-GBV offers recorded webinars on human trafficking advocacy and support

The Asian-Pacific Institute on Gender-Based Violence has an extensive list of human trafficking resources and information. 

Click here to access recorded webinars about HT advocacy and report

Click here to access the APIGBV human trafficking website

Click here to access APIGBV's resource list for human trafficking
NTF and NHLA release statements condemning the elimination of TPS protections for Salvadorans

National Task Force to End Sexual and Domestic Violence (NTF)
"If expelled from the United States, many of the 200,000 individuals now protected by TPS will face grave danger and high levels of violence, including gender-based violence.

"The administration has justified the termination of TPS designation for nationals of El Salvador by suggesting that conditions have improved in that country. Yet, the country is widely recognized for extreme levels of violence and insecurity. In fact, the State Department reports that El Salvador has one of the highest murder rates in the world. Many families have fled the region in recent years seeking humanitarian protection from this violence as a result of the increasing control of criminal armed groups, including gangs and drug cartels, over large areas of El Salvador."
 
Click here to read the rest of the NTF statement

National Hispanic Leadership Agenda (NHLA)
"El Salvador represents the largest group of TPS holders in the U.S. These individuals now have a limited amount of time to determine whether they will remain in the United States without official documentation or leave the country they have called home for almost two decades. Trump's agenda to reduce lawful immigration runs contrary to our American values by tearing families apart and will hurt the national economy. NHLA calls upon Congress to urgently take up legislation to provide permanent protection for TPS holders."

Click here to read the rest of the NHLA statement
Federal Funding for Working with Victims of Human Trafficking

Tuesday, January 23, 2018
1 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. EST 

This webinar brings together representatives the Office on Violence Against Women; the Office on Trafficking in Persons; and, the Office for Victims of Crime, Department of Justice. Presenters will highlight federal funding opportunities for organizations and communities working with survivors of human trafficking. Culturally specific organizations, and organizations serving populations vulnerable to human trafficking are especially encouraged to attend.
Through this webinar, participants will: 
  • Learn about federal funding opportunities for organizations working with human trafficking survivors. 
  • Learn about additional resources related to those funding opportunities. 
Presenters: 
Cathy Poston, Attorney Advisor, with the Office on Violence Against Women
Flavia Keenan-Guerra, Program Specialist, HHS/ACF/Office on Trafficking in Persons
Silvia Torres, Victim Justice Program Specialist, with Office for Victims of Crime, Department of Justice

Click here to register for this webinar
Deadline for newsletter feedback extended until Friday

We want to know how we're doing!

Please take a moment to give us your anonymous feedback on the National Latin@ Network newsletter. This survey should only take about 5 minutes.

We value your opinions and feedback, and want to know whether the information and resources in this newsletter are meeting your needs and expectations. Please complete this survey by January 12, 2018. Thank you!

Click here to access the survey.
Campus Program encourages applying for funding to combat violence

The FY 2018 Grants to Reduce Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence and Stalking on Campus Program solicitation has been released today on Grants.gov and OVW's websites. 
 
The Campus Program encourages a comprehensive coordinated community approach that enhances victim safety, provides services for victims and supports efforts to hold offenders accountable. Campuses are encouraged to create or revitalize large-scale efforts that treat sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking as serious offenses by adopting effective, culturally relevant policies and protocols, developing victim services and advocacy programs, and implementing effective prevention approaches.
 
Eligible Entities for this program are Institutions of Higher Education.
 
Applications are due on February 22, 2018.
 
For more information and/or to apply for funding, go to  OVW's website OR
Grants.gov.

For any questions regarding the solicitation, please contact Rudelle Handy at 202-305-7493 or Rudelle.handy@usdoj.gov or email the OVW Campus Unit at OVW.Campus@usdoj.gov
American Immigration Council publishes information on recent DACA developments

AIC's Immigration Impact releases information in an article titled, "3 Things You Need to Know About DACA Developments This Week" addressing the recent federal district ruling on DACA. 

Click here to access the article on immigrationimpact.com.
Medium publishes tips on addressing workplace sexual harassment and violence

Medium.com, in partnership with Futures without Violence and CALCASA, published an article with 10 tips on dealing with sexual harassment and violence in the workplace. 

Please feel free to share widely. 

1. Know that it's not your fault and you are not alone. The resurgence of #MeToo has revealed so many experiences of sexual harassment and assault in the workplace. You have the right to work in an environment free from sexual harassment and violence. And while it can be an isolating and traumatic experience, there are ways for you to seek help and receive support.

Click here to read the rest of the article on Medium.com
CBPR toolkit for DV researchers and advocates published

Community-based participatory research (CBPR) is an approach to research in which researchers and community members share power, resources, and decision-making at every level of the research process, working together to enhance the understanding of a given phenomenon and integrating that knowledge with action to improve the health and well-being of those most affected.

The goal of the online CBPR toolkit is to support emerging researchers who would like to learn more about CBPR approaches, particularly in the context of domestic violence. Although much of the content is aimed at researchers, it is also a helpful resource for advocates and other community partners who are interested in understanding the CBPR approach, its benefits, and what they should expect from research partners.

Access the CBPR toolkit at cbprtoolkit.org.
NHMA announces 22nd annual conference

"Conquistando al Futuro: Clinicians Leading Latino Health Care"

March 22-25, 2018
Gaylord National Harbor Hotel, MD

The National Hispanic Medical Association invites you to its 22nd Annual Conference,  "Conquistando al Futuro: Clinicians Leading Latino Health Care."
 
CME credits are available for this unique conference that brings together national experts on Hispanic health discussing how to better prepare for the future of healthcare for the U.S. Hispanic population.
 
The major objectives of the Conference are to increase knowledge and skills updates for prevention & medical treatment in diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, HIV, opioids and mental health and nutrition and more; research and clinical trials participation; medical education and faculty development; business strategies with technology, Artificial intelligence; leadership development for health careers beyond medicine.

Click here for more information and to register for this conference
Building Collaborative Responses to Trafficked Victims of  Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Training

March 6-8, 2018
Atlanta, GA 

This 2.5-day training will provide participants with effective skills on how to identify and assist domestic violence and sexual assault victims who may also be human trafficking victims/survivors. This training will focus on improving collaborative responses to adult/youth foreign-born trafficked victims/survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.
 
Some areas to be covered:
*Initiate multi-disciplinary collaborative strategies in responding to trafficked victims/survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.

*Define and clarify individual and organizational roles and responsibilities in responding to trafficked victims/survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.

Who may attend?
*OVW grantees are highly encouraged to apply in multidisciplinary teams composed of organizations in their communities ("teams" of 3-4 individuals representing different organizations).

Costs:
The education program is provided free of charge. Please note that participants are responsible for their own meals, lodging, travel arrangements, and costs associated with attending the program.

Click here for more information about this training
I'm Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter

By: Erika L. Sánchez

This coming-of-age story follows the journey of Julia Reyes, a witty bicultural and bilingual teenager who must navigate the sudden death of her only sister while dealing with the pressures of growing up. Given Sánchez's school-age admiration for Poe, it's no surprise that I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter playfully and expertly blends humor with the macabre.

What's most striking about Julia is her inherent complexity. In addition to a plotline that involves romance and secrecy, the book transcends the themes traditionally reserved for coming-of-age stories by exploring grief, immigration, sexual assault, and mental health, amongst others. With references to lime-doused Hot Cheetos as afterschool snacks and sneaking out with friends to sip on Alizé, paragraphs of I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter could have been pulled directly from my own diary. And that's exactly the point.
Description from Remezcla
Webinar Specifying the Needs of Justice-Involved Black Women

Thursday, January 18, 2018
2 - 3:30 p.m. EST

Over the past 20 years, the U.S has seen a significant rise in criminalized and incarcerated women, with women of color overrepresented throughout system. Black women, however, outnumber their counterparts by almost three times, representing 30% of the prison population and only 13% of general population. 

This  webinar will address the specific needs of justice-involved Black women and best practices for stakeholders working with justice-involved women. It will highlight the work of the Queens Human Trafficking Intervention Court in New York, which has a Hidden Victims Project that identifies victims of human trafficking and links them to services. 

This  webinar is free and open to all who wish to attend. Please note that CCI is unable to provide training credits/certificates for this  webinar.

Presenters
Hon. Toko Serita, Presiding Judge, Queens Human Trafficking Intervention Court
Afua Addo, MHC, Coordinator, Gender and Justice Initiatives, Center for Court Innovation

Moderator
Mara Chin Loy, Program Associate, Domestic Violence Programs, Center for Court Innovation

Click here to register for this webinar
Webinar  Trauma-Informed and Culturally Specific Practice for Latina Survivors

Thursday, January 25, 2018
12 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. EST 

In this webinar, National Latin@ Network researchers will provide accessible language that service providers can use to describe the overlap between the trauma-informed and culturally specific aspects of their work. Presenters will first present principles developed using research the NLN gathered from culturally specific practitioners across the domestic violence field. Then, presenters will discuss findings from a national research project designed to evaluate culturally specific and trauma-informed aspects of service for Latina survivors.

Presenters:
Dr. Josephine V. Serrata, Director of Research and Evaluation, Casa de Esperanza: National Latin@ Network

Dr. Rebecca Rodriguez, Manager of Research and Evaluation, Casa de Esperanza: National Latin@ Network 

Click here to register for this webinar
SAMHSA Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA):
Offender Reentry Program

Deadline: January 26, 2018

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) is accepting applications for fiscal year (FY) 2018 Offender Reentry Program (ORP) grants.

The 2018 ORP program is to expand substance use disorder (SUD) treatment and related recovery and reentry services to sentenced adult offenders/ex-offenders with a SUD and/or co-occurring substance use and mental disorders. These individuals are returning to their families and community from incarceration in state and local facilities including prisons, jails, or detention centers (i.e., the population of focus).

The full 2018 ORP expansion announcement can be found on the SAMHSA website at FOA Number: TI-18-003. When you are searching for a funding opportunity on Grants.gov, use SAMHSA's FOA number as the Funding Opportunity Number listed above.

Anticipated Number of Awards: Up to 16
Anticipated Award Amount: Up to $425,000
Length of Project: Up to 5 years

Applicants should be aware that funding amounts are subject to the availability of funds.
Center for Victims of Torture: Program Evaluation Advisor

The Center for Victims of Torture is hiring a Program Evaluation Advisor to be responsible for The Center for Victims of Torture is hiring a Program Evaluation Advisor to be responsible for coordinating and implementing components of CVT's program evaluation and research initiatives for US-based programs. This position supports the Research department in the collection, storage, analysis and reporting of client and program information. The Program Evaluation Advisor collaborates with program managers and clinical leadership. The Advisor assists in using knowledge gained through evaluation and research for program design and program development and to advance knowledge in the field. Position is based in St. Paul, Minnesota.

University of Colorado:  Rural Coordinated Community Response Technical Assistance Manager

The School of Public Affairs Center on Domestic Violence is funded by the Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) to provide training and technical assistance to their rural grantees on the topic of Coordinated Community Response (CCR). This position, the Rural CCR Technical Assistance Manager, will oversee and carry out the daily operations of the Rural Communities - Collaborative Response project.

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign:  Assistant Director - Women's Resource Center

Primary responsibilities include planning and coordinating programs and events for the Center, advising student organizations, and supervising interns and volunteers.  As a Title IX Confidential Center, the Assistant  Director also serves as a confidential advisor to students who have experienced sexual assault, sexual harassment, stalking, or dating/domestic violence.

Now accepting submissions

We welcome submissions on a number of topics pertaining to domestic violence, family violence, and gender-based violence. These topics include, but are not limited to:
  • Gender-based violence intervention and prevention programs that are culturally specific
  • Working with Latin@ youth
  • Working with immigrant Latin@s
  • Health care and gender-based violence
  • LGBTQ Latin@ communities
  • Children and domestic violence
  • Building Latin@ leadership in Latin@ communities
  • Elder abuse
We also welcome photography, video, resources, and other digital material that organizations or people wish to share with our network.

If you're interested in submitting a blog post,  click here to email Rebecca De Leon, Communications and Marketing Manager

ABOUT THE NATIONAL LATIN@ NETWORK FOR HEALTHY FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES

The National Latin@ Network for Healthy Families and Communities is a network of individuals and organizations committed to improving the health and well-being of Latin@ communities. The National Latin@ Network is led by Casa de Esperanza, a national Latina organization whose mission is to mobilize Latinas and Latin@ communities to end domestic violence. The National Latin@Network for Healthy Families and Communities builds on Casa de Esperanza´s experience working in local communities to support families, end domestic violence, and increase meaningful access to services for Latina@s and incorporates a research center, public policy initiative, and training.

National Latin@ Network | http://www.nationallatinonetwork.org | 651.646.5553


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