RWJBarnabas using $500K federal grant to fight human trafficking – NJBIZ

January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, and RWJBarnabas Health used the designation to kick off a program funded by a $500,000 federal grant aimed at combating the practice. 

The funding – announced in October 2022 by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services' Administration for Children and Families' Office on Trafficking in Persons – will be used to educate RWJBarnabas staff in identifying and treating individuals experiencing human trafficking and to expand access to needed services. 

The efforts will be a part of RWJBarnabas' Anti-Human Trafficking Collaborative, which was formed to raise awareness among health professionals about labor and sex trafficking of children and adults.  

The collaborative has been assisted by Covenant House New Jersey's screening and identification protocols for identifying these individuals. 

As a grant recipient, RWJBarnabas will now also use ACF's SOAR to Health and Wellness Training Demonstration Program, which offers specialized training to identify, treat and respond to the needs of these individuals. 

“In recognition of the investment we have already made in the system's Anti-Human Trafficking Collaborative as well as a comprehensive education program to train our staff, we are incredibly honored to be one of only two organizations recognized by the Administration for Children and Families with this generous grant,” Suzanne Spernal, RWJBarnabas vice president for Women's Services, said in a Jan. 26 statement announcing the funding. 

The University of Southern Mississippi was the other recipient of the SOAR grant, according to the Office on Trafficking in Persons.

Spernal explained that health care systems are in a “unique position” to help those who may be affected by human trafficking because “more than 80% of people access healthcare services during their trafficking experience.” 

RWJBarnabas provides access to health care to approximately 5 million of the state's 9 million residents, according to the West Orange-based system. This includes the northern counties bordering New York City.  

Additionally, Jersey City and Newark – which both have an RWJBarnabas hospital – were identified as two of the top cities in New Jersey from which calls are placed to the National Human Trafficking Hotline.  

Over five years, SOAR training will reach all RWJBarnabas Health employees and volunteers statewide – which number more than 38,000 – in addition to the employees at community partners. 

RWJBarnabas said it will continue to work with Covenant House as an advisor. 

“RWJBarnabas Health has been a committed advocate for individuals who have experienced human trafficking in New Jersey for several years,” added Julia Einbond, associate executive director, Covenant House Action and Research Tank. “In working together to further build out the system's Anti-Human Trafficking Collaborative through this grant, we will be able to connect many more individuals experiencing human trafficking with the support that they need.”