HomeMy WebLinkAboutBack-Up DocumentsKRISTI
HOUSE
KRISTI HOUSE, Inc.
Children's Advocacy Center
Investing in Our Children
VULNERABLE CHILDREN IN MIAMI
As the nationally designated and accredited Child Advocacy Center, Kristi House is responsible
for coordinating all child sexual abuse cases in Miami -Dade, population 2.7 million. The Miami -
Dade County Public School system is one of the largest minority systems in the U.S. with
345,000 children from 160+ countries and speaking 56 languages. It is also one of the poorest,
with a third of children 0 to 5 years old living in poverty. About 40% of Miami -Dade families
now earn less than it costs to live here, on top of nearly 20% of households below the poverty
line, according to the United Way's February 2019 ALICE report. Miami -Dade has a huge gap
between the rich and poor. The Miami nightclub scene is touted to visitors as one of the world's
most glamorous and decadent, leaving vulnerable, underage children ripe for sex traffickers
and perpetrators.
WHO DOES KRISTI HOUSE SERVE?
While child sexual abuse cuts across all socio-economic, religious, ethnic and cultural lines,
children whose families are facing multiple socio-economic stressors are at greatest risk for
abuse. The vast majority of children served at Kristi House come from very low-income
households. Most of the families we see would have nowhere else to turn for help if not for
Kristi House. Most cannot afford private insurance. Many are Medicaid eligible, but a significant
portion are not, and Medicaid does not fully cover the specialized services abuse victims need.
Since founding in 1995, Kristi House has remained committed to services at no cost to child -
victims and their families so that cost is never a barrier to a child getting the help they need.
Any Miami -Dade child under 18 with allegations of child sexual or physical abuse or commercial
sexual exploitation is eligible for services. The ethnicity of our clients last year was 62%
Hispanic/Latino; 32% Black/Haitian; and 6% White Non -Hispanic. More cases involve girls,
typically 75% female and 25% male. Last year, 24% of our sexual abuse victims were 0 to 6
years old, 39% were ages 7 to 12; and 37% were 13 to 18 years old. All sex trafficking victims we
served, were 13- to 18- year -old girls. Approximately 20% of clients overall have disabilities
(learning, developmental, physical, mental).
THE COST TO THE VICTIM, SOCIETY
We know that providing evidence -based services for healing children is not only crucial for their
futures, but also a wise financial decision for our greater society. Research by the CDC has
shown that the lifetime cost of the long-term effects of untreated child abuse is $210,012 per
victim. It costs Kristi House $5,000 to provide a child and his/her family with therapy, advocacy
and education. A $5,000 investment saves our community $210,012 over the life of the child...a
sound investment in our future. •
KRISTI
KRISTI HOUSE, Inc.
Children's Advocacy Center
HOUSE
With the state of Florida ranked the third in the U.S. for human trafficking and Miami -Dade County
leading in incidences statewide, many children in our community are vulnerable and victimized. The
needs for specialized services to help youth overcome sex trafficking trauma are significant, as is the
need to spread awareness and prevention.
Kristi House's Project GOLD —the first and longest -running program in Miami -Dade County dedicated
to child sex trafficking —operates the first Drop In Center in the state and the only one in South Florida
exclusively for underage girls. The Project GOLD Drop In Center is underpinned by Kristi House, in
operation for 24 years and serving as the nationally accredited Child Advocacy Center responsible for
Miami -Dade County.
The Drop In Center, located in the heart of Miami in the Little Haiti neighborhood, provides a home-
like setting for engagement and delivery of restorative services. Project GOLD provides case manage-
ment, therapy, advocacy, transportation, education support, jobs training, life skills programs and
recreational enrichment. It provides an alternative to the dangerous streets.
Human trafficking is a multi -billion -dollar industry and a serious global issue. The Super Bowl has
historically seen a huge increase in HT, and has been called the largest HT event in the world. Traffick-
ers are known to transport underage children to major sporting and entertainment events that draw
hundreds of thousands of people, and are ripe for illicit activity. According to Aristides "Harry"
Jimenez, retired Deputy Agent in Charge at Department of Homeland Security, large sporting events,
including collegiate sports, are the largest coordinated efforts of movement in young victims within the
U.S. Most of these victims are both male and female U.S. citizens, between the ages of 13-16.'
For the 2020 Super Bowl in Miami, Kristi House is part of a large coalition of community agencies
coming together to address human trafficking. Led by State Attorney Kathy Fernandez Rundle and
Women's Fund of Miami, this coalition is working to raise awareness and prevention. Kristi House
specialists have been active participants in the Super Bowl Outreach planning. As one of only a few
agencies that provide direct services to victims, our therapists and HT specialists, including HT survivors
on our staff, stand ready to serve the needs of any victims identified.
Kristi House is addressing HT every day of the year as here, it is not isolated to the big game. As Duke
University explained in reference to the HT arrests after the 2014 Super Bowl, "But these few cases
and arrests...represent a tiny fraction of men, women and children enslaved in the United States in
labor and sex trafficking rings.""
Along with direct services to dozens of victims every year, Kristi House provides education programs
for schools, businesses and community groups on an ongoing basis to increase understanding of the
prevalence of HT and the vulnerability of our children.
"Human Trafficking and Major Sporting Events: The Dark Side of the Super Bowl," ACAMS Today, March 28, 2019,
https://www.acamstoday.org/human-trafficking-and-major-sporting-events-the-dark-side-of-the-super-bowl/
" "Sports and Sex (Trafficking)," Duke Science & Society, https://scienceandsocietv.duke.edu/sports-and-sex-trafficking/
1265 NW 12th Avenue • Miami, FL 33136 • Tel 305-547-6800 • Fax 305-547-6816 • www.kristihouse.org
Project GOLD
DROP IN CENTER
IMMIIIIIIIIII.
A PROGRAM OF:
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KRISTI HOUSE, Inc.
CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY CENTER
Healing the Hurt of Child Abuse and Sex Trafficking
What is Project GOLD?
Project GOLD is Kristi House's program for commercially sexually exploited children
(CSEC), which operates the first Drop In Center in Florida exclusively for this
population. The Project GOLD Drop In Center is a place where girls are empowered to
find their strengths in a non -judging, healing environment. The program welcomes all
sexually exploited girls, regardless of their current residential placement, to participate.
The Drop In Center offers a safe place where girls can come for programming and
supportive services during the day, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Girls meet with youth advocates,
therapists and mentors at the center, and are encouraged to participate in an array of
educational, enrichment and recreational programming. Tutoring by education
specialists and group programs are conducted every afternoon from 3 to 7, and are
designed around a mentor -supported, strengths -based, trauma -informed approach.
Project GOLD is shaped and directed by survivor input, reflected in the program name
created by founding clients. The GOLD acronym —Girls Owning their Lives and
Dreams —reflects the program's aspiration for girls to achieve their best...to "go for the
gold." Project GOLD was started in 2007, informed by GEMS of New York, widely
regarded as the forerunner organization dedicated to helping girls and young women
escape sexual exploitation.
We encourage girls to consider membership in Project GOLD in order to take full
advantage of the program's incentives. The program is client -informed so classes and
enrichment activities vary based on client needs.
Project GOLD
encourages referrals from
public and private
agencies, law
enforcement, and the
judiciary. The referrals
can be general and open
ended, or for a specific
number of visits as part of
a diversion program.
Referrals can be made by
email or by calling the
hotline.
There is no charge for
Project GOLD services
and transportation is
provided by two vans
daily.
Preparing the Home of Project GOLD
Volunteers from Holland and Knight law firm are pictured here after
a day of preparing the home for Project GOLD girls in 2013. The
home was purchased by Kristi House with the help of individual
donations and foundation grant support.
Kristi House's Project GOLD 1
Who is served by Project GOLD?
Project GOLD serves girls ages 13 to 18 who have had involvement in commercial
sexual exploitation, or are at high risk. Many of the girls are in foster care; some are
living at home with a parent or other caregiver. They are predominantly low income,
from ethnic and racial minority groups, and
many with emotional or learning disabilities.
Nearly all have suffered childhood sexual
abuse and many are running away from
some other trauma or abusive situation.
Girls who have been affected by sexual
exploitation are welcome at the Center any
time it is open. A counselor is always
available to talk, or girls can just relax or
study in the home -like setting. Food is
always available, and casual, family -style
suppers where staff and clients eat together
are provided during evening groups. A
nutritionist -chef teaches and cooks with the
girls one night a week, and other volunteers
help on other nights.
While Project GOLD works as a team for
each girl, one-to-one relationship -building is
essential to healing. Each girl who becomes
a Member at the Drop In Center is assigned
a specific staff member for mentoring,
advocacy, and coordination for their
specialized needs relating to exploitation.
Each girl who becomes a Member has the
opportunity to participate in incentivized
educational programs, job skills training,
career planning, internships and
apprenticeships in afternoon and early
evening programs.
The Center is open on weekdays. Special
after-hours accommodations can be made
by calling the 24-hour Project GOLD hotline,
1-877-GOLD-916. The Center is located in a
residential neighborhood close to Midtown.
Rainbows and Butterflies
Spoken Word Poem written and performed
by Project GOLD client, age 16
How I'd love to talk of baby blue skies,
Filled with rainbows and butterflies
of lime green grass and sunny days
and snow cones dripping down ya face.
Alas, this poem is not like that,
It's dying grass and skies of black
It's creepy sounds and haunted days
And boogey men who come to play.
They come in all varieties
with varied status in society.
But the only difference is
They come to kill your innocence.
This poem is fear of what will come
and trying hard to remain numb
It's praying hard for God to help
But feeling that ya' by ya'self
It's frozen faces in the crowd
Because you cannot scream out loud
It's bot'tling up what's inside
Suppressing it to stay alive
Of course it's not what you want to hear
It doesn't comfort the listener's ear
know it's nicer to pretend
That all this crime is not happening
But human trafficking must end
To free kids from this deadly sin
And help restore our precious lives
Filled with rainbows and butterflies.
Kristi House's Project GOLD 2
What goes on at the Drop In Center?
Mentoring Programs
Project GOLD offers structured group
mentoring programs. Groups have been
led by community organizations and
volunteers, including programs by
university students, arts groups such as
museums and the opera, financial
specialists offering personal finance
training and other programs focused on
life skills and artistic expression. Youth
Advocates, Project GOLD Success
Coaches (survivor -mentors) and others
from the community also provide
individual mentoring for Project GOLD
Members.
Education and Jobs Training
Bridges to the Future is Kristi House's
newest program for Project GOLD,
underpinned by a major federal grant
award from the U.S. Department of
Justice. Bridges to the Future is designed
to help girls find their path out of
trafficking through educational support,
vocational training, job skills
development, paid internships and career
planning. The program is designed to
give girls the vital tools they need to
thrive with economic independence and
forever change the trajectory of their
lives.
Bridges to the Future was conceived and
developed by Kristi House leadership
based on more than a decade of working
with and learning about trafficked girls.
We recognized that we can keep them off
the streets and out of the reach of
traffickers, however, that's only the first
phase of the girls' healing. Like all young
people, they need guidance and tools to
Kristi House's Project GOLD
Mural Project Guided by Artist Jenny Perez
In a transformative project, youth collaborated with
local Artist Jenny Perez who helped them to create
their own mural and raise consciousness
surrounding the issue of child sex trafficking in the
local community. The Artist provided girls with a
source of mentorship and empowerment, helping to
cultivate their diverse ideas and incorporate them
into a single, powerful image. The mural is seen here
in 2016 in Wynwood Yard, a popular spot for young
people where it made its debut in November.
3
find their vocational strengths, finish their education successfully, establish goals and
have the right support system in place so that they can achieve their aspirations.
A Faculty Team of several industry experts is assisting Project GOLD on an in -kind
basis as educators, vocational trainers and mentors to the Bridges program. They
come from years of working with at -risk youth, as well as the South Florida university
community. They are providing invaluable guidance to this project.
Youth Leadership Focus
A major objective of Project GOLD is to
move Members from Victims to Survivors to
Leaders. The program strives to build critical
thinking and concrete leadership skills in a
supportive and loving environment. Girls
build public speaking and community -
organizing skills through outreach, events,
advocacy and media work. The goal is to
prepare youth survivors to lead the national
movement to end CSEC as peer mentors
and community educators.
The goal is to prepare
youth survivors to lead
the national movement
to end sex trafficking
—Youth Leadership Intensive Program
As girls progress through Project GOLD, they
are eligible to apply for internships at Project
GOLD. Successful graduates are
encouraged to apply for permanent staff
positions with the program, particularly as
Success Coaches, held by survivor -mentors
who are dedicated to helping other girls. This
program also helps prepare participants for
college, and other educational settings.
Internships and apprenticeships are a critical
aspect in preparing girls to enter the
professional working environment. The
Bridges to the Future program, launched in
2019, was developed for this purpose.
Kristi House's Project GOLD
Expression and Healing through Art
This Project GOLD client artwork, produced in
the art therapy group which is conducted in
tandem with discussions around the issue of
human trafficking, won a national competition
in the U.S. Department of Justice's 4 Youth -By
Youth Anti -Trafficking Outreach Project. The
goal was for youth to come up with what they
thought would be the most effective campaign
to help other youth. Our Member's poster took
first place in the prevention category. The art
reflects a warning that characterizes how many
girls get lured into sex trafficking: "It all started
with gifts, but that's not how it ended."
4
Who is behind Project GOLD?
Project GOLD is underpinned by Kristi House Children's Advocacy Center. Kristi House
is an accredited member of the National Children's Alliance and accredited by the
Council on Accreditation (COA). Project GOLD benefits from the resources of the multi-
disciplinary team at the Center and a 24-year history and network of referral sources
and providers dedicated to child abuse and trauma. Project GOLD is funded by a
combination of public and private support.
State of Florida
When Kristi House acquired its permanent home for the Project GOLD Drop
In Center, we were fortunate to have the support of the Florida Department of
Children and Families for its opening and operations from 2014 through 2016.
Several Project GOLD positions are now supported by a major federal
Victims of Crime Act grant to Kristi House which is awarded and administered
by the State of Florida Attorney General's Office.
U.S. Department ofJustice
Kristi House has received multiple major federal grants from the U.S.
Department of Justice exclusively for Project GOLD. In addition, identification
of an evidence -based practice for mental health treatment for commercially
sexually exploited youth is a major focus of our five-year federal grant from the
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services — SAMHSA.
Kristi House's first federal grant in 2009 established a strong training platform for Project
GOLD based on the work of forerunners in the field of child sex trafficking. This has
enabled Kristi House to directly teach thousands over the past 12 years, including a
half -dozen other Florida cities and several communities across the country on how to
set up a CSEC response. Our "CSEC 101" course fulfills the requirement in Florida for
agency personnel that will serve CSEC clients.
In 2015, with major support from the U.S. Department of Justice Office for PROJECT
Victims of Crime, Kristi House began Project BOLD to reach boys and a
highly underserved, misidentified and high -risk subset of sex trafficked BOLL')
youth, those in the LGBTQI community. Kristi House's partner at
Survivors' Pathway Organization provides wrap -around support services, BIJILDINGOUR [JYESa,DDREAMS
counseling, advocacy, referrals and legal assistance to sex trafficked youth in the
LGBTQI community up to 24 years old. We signed on another major partner focused on
addressing the needs of trafficked boys and LGBTQ in 2019 with Ark of Freedom,
assisting Project GOLD with outreach and education.
And now, Project GOLD's Bridges to the Future, funded by the U.S.
Department of Justice for 2019-2021, seeks to close the gaps
remaining on the path for girls striving to escape exploitation and
abuse through job readiness and career planning.
UNIVERSITY
OF MIAMI
LJ
Kristi House's Project GOLD 5
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - SAMHSA
Kristi House has been a SAMSHA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
Administration) grantee since 2012 which includes membership in the National Child
Traumatic Stress Network, the preeminent national body for child trauma. Kristi House's
project called C-START seeks to build community -wide capacity to treat trauma with
evidence -based practices. We are dedicating particular focus in this five-year grant on
children and youth who have experienced sexual trauma, trafficking and co-occurring
disorders. The project is taking a three -pronged approach:
This focus builds on C-START's successful
completion of six cohorts in yearlong work on
TF-CBT and Children with Problematic
Sexual Behavior. Nearly 300 clinicians,
caseworkers and protective investigators
from 25 agencies have participated.
A PARTNER IN
NCTSN
The National Child
Traumatic Stress Network
As a SAMHSA grantee, Kristi House is a member of
the NCTSN, the preeminent national body for child
trauma, bringing significant resources to the South
Florida community.
Faculty from Medical University of South
Carolina and University of Oklahoma and have served as faculty leaders. Dr. Amanda
Jensen -Doss of the University of Miami Department of Psychology is leading the
evaluation team from UM. More than 2,000 children have received treatment under C-
START.
Evaluation findings from the first C-START cohorts conducted by UM Dunspaugh-
Dalton Community & Educational Well -Being Research Center found clinically and
statistically significant improvement in symptoms among children who completed
treatment, including post -traumatic stress symptoms, anxiety, anger, depression,
dissociation, and sexual concerns, among others.
Private Support
Current funders for Project GOLD who are providing match support for the Bridges to
the Future project include the Braham Family Foundation, Batchelor Foundation,
Independent UPS Pilots Association, and Joseph H. and Florence A. Roblee
Foundation. Major support for Project GOLD and the opening of the Drop In Center was
provided by Paul Palank Memorial Foundation, Lovelight Foundation, The de Moya
Foundation, Dr. John T. Macdonald Foundation, Ware Foundation, Women's Fund and
World Childhood Foundation. Project GOLD received a major Robert Wood Johnson
Foundation grant in 2011-2015 which helped to create the Drop In Center program.
Kristi House's Project GOLD 6
What have we learned from Project GOLD?
1. The biggest challenge is engaging girls in services.
Project GOLD Youth Advocates strive to engage girls who are willing, able and wanting
to participate. Barriers to engagement include weak caretaker support, girls denying
involvement in trafficking and feeling shame or embarrassment, and/or pressure or
threats from their trafficker and other peers. Youth Advocates make multiple attempts —
meeting clients "where they are at" literally and figuratively —and always leave the door
open for girls to reconsider or return. Providing transportation in public transit -
challenged South Florida is key.
2. The relationship between the staff and the client is key.
It has long been understood that the therapeutic
relationship, or therapeutic alliance, is the base from
which all therapeutic work takes place, and a primary
tool for achieving client change. The more positive the
relationship, the better the client outcome. This is
especially true for Project GOLD girls, often lacking a
loving family, a singular adult they trust. For many,
Project GOLD becomes their second family, and for
others, their only family and support system.
"They call us 'Members'
here, but we're really
'Family."
—Project GOLD client to a COA reviewer
when asked about the Drop In Center
3. The process is slow, with success measured in small incremental steps.
Project GOLD uses a combination of fun programming and incentives to help girls
achieve the goals they set forth. Recognizing incremental accomplishment of objectives
keeps motivated and on track toward their goals.
4. It takes a coordinated, integrated set of services from the entire community
The Drop In Center operates in tandem with the Florida Department of Children and
Families, child welfare, schools, juvenile justice, State Attorney's Office, GRACE Court,
the South Florida Human Trafficking Task Force, U.S. Attorney's Office, among others
to provide wrap -around services for girls that addresses their physical, emotional and
legal needs. Kristi House serves as a host site and participates in twice -monthly
multidisciplinary team meetings of agencies coming together around the table for Miami -
Dade trafficking victims.
The Drop In Center complements other services in the community, filling in the gaps for
girls in their afternoon hours, providing them with alternative activities, interaction with
community members, and enriching programs. However, at 7:00 p.m. they load up in
one of two Project GOLD vans to return to environments that for many girls are still
fraught with triggers, temptations and trauma.
Kristi House's Project GOLD 7
5. Community mentors and especially survivor -leaders, are another important
component to the program, providing "normal," healthy interactions.
The community mentoring programs are offered several times per month at Project
GOLD. Girls have benefited tremendously by Kristi House's partnerships with
Motivational Edge, Student Finance League, University of Miami Sparks Program, the
Biscayne Bay Chapter of the Links organization, Florida Grand Opera and their
Cadenza Project, among others.
6. Adaptation of evidence -based practice for child trauma is needed to address
the multiple layers of trauma trafficked youth have endured.
Kristi House's newest SAMHSA grant is providing training and practice in mental health
interventions that show promise for underage sex trafficking victims, bringing the
developers of some of the most promising interventions to Miami for training and
practice with our mental health clinicians and others in South Florida. We're using the
adaptation of Trauma -Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) for CSEC as
well as Risk Reduction through Family Therapy. We are still learning how to engage
Project GOLD members in therapy, as most are reticent.
7. Substance use, coerced or used for coping, needs to be addressed concurrently
with trauma treatment.
In 2017 Kristi House began training and practice led by Dr. Carla Danielson on Risk
Reduction through Family Therapy for high -risk and trafficked girls with co-occurring
substance use disorders and trauma. Developed by Dr. Danielson of the National Crime
Victims Research and Treatment Center at Medical University of South Carolina, this
evidence -based intervention was developed for high -risk kids including sex -trafficked
children and youth.
8. What's in the future for Project GOLD?
Kristi House's Drop In Center model has garnered the attention and support for services
and helping us identify best practices. This has been possible with a combination of
public and private support from leaders who recognize the seriousness of the need and
have confidence in Kristi House to address it. We are working every day for continued
private and public support. Support is needed for clinical work with survivors of
trafficking, as well as for vocational training and housing support.
Kristi House has been working to address the needs of CSEC for a decade, and is
committed to continuing to serve this high -risk, traumatized population of child sexual
abuse victims. At the same time we are dedicated to informing and advancing the
national understanding of what works to restore young lives that would otherwise be lost
to danger, violence and trauma, at a tremendous cost to the individual and society.
Kristi House's Project GOLD 8
How do we gauge Project GOLD effectiveness?
Output Metrics
Youth Advocates encourage regular, ongoing participation in Project GOLD programs
and activities. The more the girls come to the Drop In Center, and the more programs
they participate in, the better their outcomes. Therefore, attaining "Membership" status
is a milestone, which is achieved by a girl participating in 16 more services per month.
"Emerging Members" are those who participate in five to 15 services in the month.
Participation data is closely tracked through logs and entered into Kristi House's client
management system.
We also track whether girls engaged in services move up a step in their readiness to
exit commercial sexual exploitation, and of those, how many report no longer being
involved in trafficking.
Project GOLD has been successful in engaging more than half the referred girls in
multiple services on a weekly basis. For the three years of 2016-2018, a total of 91 girls
referred to Project GOLD participated in services and programs, and among those, less
than 10% participated for fewer than three months. When girls achieve Member status,
they tend to want to come to the Drop In Center every day and they participate in
everything offered. They develop deeper relationships with staff, and are among those
who have been most successful.
Other significant results as reported to Florida Department of Children and Families and
Governor Rick Scott in 2017 was a return on investment of $1,016,686 in potential
savings for the $200,000 state contract, which equals 5.08 times the state's original
investment.
Savings are based on the
U.S. Department of
Housing and Urban
Development's estimation
that the annual cost to the
taxpayer of an untreated
homeless individual (in the
form of police, court
system and hospital
emergency care) exceeds
$40,000 per year.
Kristi House's Project GOLD
Project GOLD Members 1/1/2016-12/31/2018
Level of Engagement
Length of
Engagement
ACTIVE 6 months and more
52
ACTIVE 3 to 6 months
14
ACTIVE 1 to 3 months
9
Current still ACTIVE
43
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Formal Research
Reports of research findings on Project GOLD, led by Mauren
Kenny, Ph.D. of Florida International University, have been
published in peer -reviewed Journals including most recently:
FIU
✓ "Increasing Child Serving Professionals' Awareness and Understanding of the
Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children," published in February 2019 in
Journal of Child Sexual Abuse. This study evaluated the effectiveness of Kristi
House's training aimed to increase awareness of commercial sexual exploitation
of children (CSEC) among professionals likely to encounter victims, finding it to
be effective and relevant.
✓ Findings on the Project BOLD education program for professionals in addressing
LGBTQ individuals overcoming human trafficking trauma was published in
February 2019 in Journal of Gay and Lesbian Social Services. It is entitled
"Understanding the Needs of LGBTQ Clients and Their Risk for Commercial
Sexual Exploitation: Training Community Mental Health Workers."
✓ "Treatment of a Commercially Sexually Abused Girl Using Trauma -Focused
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Legal Interventions" was published in Clinical
Case Studies in August 2018. It looked at the array of services and mental health
therapy provided to enable a Project GOLD member to discontinue involvement
in sexual exploitation, cease substance use, decrease her anxiety level, improve
her self-concept and reduce post -trauma symptoms.
✓ "A Comprehensive Group Approach for Commercially Sexually Exploited Girls"
was published in April 2018 in Journal for Specialists in Group Work. The
research examined Project GOLD's comprehensive, mentor -led group
programming and its effectiveness for girls learning new skills, bonding with
peers, empowerment and stress relief.
Kristi House's Project GOLD 10
Education remains key
Education and training in child sex trafficking have been a priority focus since we began
in this field. Kristi House presents classes and programs from 30 minutes to several
days to a variety of organization and audience types, logging more than 13,000
participants in Kristi House CSEC courses in the past 10 years. See list on page 13.
We are often invited as content specialists at governmental meetings and symposiums.
We lead discussions on panels, make media appearances and mentor other programs.
We continue to be supported by formal evaluation of our programs by research teams
from University of Miami and Florida International University who have helped us
disseminate findings on our work through peer -reviewed journals and conference
presentations.
Project GOLD's Maria Clara Harrington
at U.S. Dept. of Justice
Highlights of conferences and governmental appearances
in the past year include:
• On January 4, 2018, Project GOLD Director Maria
Clara Harrington presented on CSEC and Project
GOLD at a Roundtable Presentation for The U.S
Department of Justice Deputy Attorney General
Rod Rosenstein at the U.S. Attorney's Office of
Special Prosecutions, along with prosecutors,
Homeland Security agents and staff, FBI agents
and staff, NGOs, and media (CNN, FOX, CBS4,
Univision, Telemundo, Channel 7, Channel 10).
• On February 2, 2018, Maria Clara Harrington and Dr. Maureen Kenny of FIU
presented the session, "Triumphs and Challenges of Group Work with CSEC
Youth" at the National Conference for ASGW (Association for Specialists in
Group Work) in Savannah, Georgia.
• In March 2018, Project GOLD staff presented at the National Child Advocacy
Center's 34th International Symposium on Child Abuse in Huntsville, Alabama, "If
Not CSEC, Then What?"about Project GOLD's Drop In Center programming.
• At the Annual Florida Network of Child Advocacy Centers annual conference July
25-27, 2018, seven Kristi House staff presented four sessions including "The
Journey to Healing: Comprehensive Services & Clinical Applications for CSEC"
which was co -facilitated by our Project GOLD Success Coach Bradel Canfield
and licensed therapists.
• On May 21, 2018, Project GOLD was an invited presenter for the U.S. Helsinki
Commission in Vienna for their symposium, "Combating and Healing the Sexual
Exploitation of Children," which took place in conjunction with the U.S. Mission to
Kristi House's Project GOLD 11
the Organization for Security
and Co-operation in Europe
and its ongoing conference on
preventing child trafficking.
• Two proposals about Project
GOLD, the Drop In Center and
the emerging evidence -based
practices were presented at
the annual Shared Hope
conference in San Diego in
October 2018: "The Role of
Survivor Mentorship in Recovery from CSEC: A Survivor's Perspective" and
"Clinical Services for CSEC Survivors: Adapting Current Treatments."
• Two Project GOLD sessions will be presented at the National Children's
Advocacy Center 35th International Symposium on Child Abuse, March 18-21,
2019. Dr. Maureen Kenny and Project GOLD Director Marta Hasty will present
the workshop "Project GOLD: Helping Victims of Commercial Sexual Exploitation
Through Group Programming" and Programs Director Vanessa Ramirez will
present "Clinical Services for CSEC Survivors: Adapting Current Treatments" at
the symposium.
Media Outreach
Kristi House is often called upon by media outlets for stories involving child sex trafficking. Over
the past year these have included CNN, ABC, Radio Caracol, Telemundo, Univision, Diarios
Las Americas, Miami Herald, among others. Child sex trafficking is included in Kristi House's
outreach and awareness Child Safety Champions program supported by Florida Blue
Foundation in deep south Miami -Dade in Spanish -language media.
CEO Claudia Kitchens on NBC6
discussing child sex trafficking.
Kristi House's Project GOLD
Education Specialist Deborah Billings is featured on Radio
Caracol.
12
Table: Agencies & Organizations Trained in Human Trafficking by Kristi
House, A Sampling
Academy for Community Education
American Airlines
Appalachian University
Bal Harbour Rotary Club
Barbara Goleman High School
Barry University — Criminal Justice
Students, Foster Parents,
Human Trafficking Concert,
Counseling Students
Batchelor Children's Research
Institute
BE Strong / Strong Families
Booker T. Washington High School
Broward College — Davie, High
School Students Summit &
South
Broward Human Trafficking
Coalition
Broward Sexual Assault Treatment
Center
Broward Sheriffs Office
CALEB Center — Foster Parents &
Youth
Calvery Chapel, Ft. Lauderdale
Capri Restaurant
Carlos Albizo University
Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart
Center for Family & Child Enrichment
Center of Court Innovation Research
Charlee Foster Care Agency
Children's Court
Children's Courthouse and Juvenile
Justice Center
Children's Home Society
Chrysalis Center
Citrus Health
Community Health of South Florida
Concept House
COPE Center
Coral Ridge Church
Covenant House
Crossbridge Church, Brickell, Miami
Springs
Cutler Bay Senior High School
Dade Marine Institute
Department of Juvenille Justice
Dr. Michael Krop Senior High School
Early Learning Coalition Office
Edison High School
FBI Miami
Ferguson High School — Women of
Tomorrow Student Group
FLITE Center
Florida Department of Children &
Families - Central, North, Palm
Beach, South
Florida Department of Law
Enforcement
Florida Grand Opera Staff
Florida International University —Girls
Coalition, Counseling Graduate
Students, Vagina Monologues,
North & South Campuses
Florida National University
Foster Care Review Staff
Gang Alternative
Gang Summit
Georgetown University Law/DC
Gordon Biersch
Guardian ad Litem Staff
Haitian Theater
Hands in Action Office
Holland & Night Law
Holtz Children's Hospital
Homestead Community Center
Homestead Middle School
Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress
ICE Headquarters
Jackson Memorial Hospital
Jackson Senior High
Jesse Trice Community Heath
Center
John Furguson Senior High School
Johnson & Johnson Headquarters
Junenile Assessment Services
Kinloch Middle School
Lawson E. Thomas Courthouse
Legal Aid
Links, Biscayne Bay Chapter
McArthur South School
Melrose Elementary School
Mercy Hospital
Miami Beach Senior High
Miami Bridge
Miami Central Senior High School
Miami Dade College — Homestead,
North & Interamerican Campuses
Miami International Airport
Miami Northwestern High School —
Jessie Trice Nurses
Miami Police Training Academy —
Women in Distress
Miami Seaport
Miami Senior High School
Miami -Dade County Public
Schools — Mental Health
Counselors, Student Services
Committee
Miami -Dade Police Department
Mount Tabor Baptist Church
NOVA Southeastern University
Optimist Academy
Our Kids of Miami-Dade/Monroe
Pace Broward
Palm Beach Community College
Palm Beach State College
Police Academy Davie
Ransom Everglades School
Riviera Country Club
Riviera Theater
Roxcy Bolton Rape Treatment
Center at Jackson Hospital
Royal Caribbean Cruises
Ruben Dario Middle School
Seminole Hard Rock
Soroptimist Club
St. Agnes Catholic Church Key
Biscayne
St. Andrews Presbyterian Church
St. Thomas University School of
Law
State Attorneys Office
State Farm
Statewide Judges
Survivor's Pathway
Touching Miami with Love
Trinity Church
United Nations Special Rapporteur
on Violence Against Women
(The Lodge)
University of Miami
University of Miami — Jackson
Hospital, Mailman Center, NOW,
Law School, Human Rights
Association, Miller School of
Medicine
US DOJ and Russian US Embassy
Village South Office
Washington Senior High
Wellsprings Counseling Office
Wesley House - Marathon Key
Westland Hialeah High School
WMBM Radio Station
Women's Fund of Miami
YMCA
Kristi House's Project GOLD 13
Kristi House Children's Advocacy Center
Quick Facts
• A private, not -for -profit 501c3 organization founded in 1995.
• The state -designated Child Advocacy Center, responsible for coordinating
child abuse cases in Miami -Dade County with six partner agencies. Kristi
House's inviting, child -friendly facility and trauma -informed environment are part
of the national model for Child Advocacy Centers.
• The partner agencies at the Center: State Attorney's Office, University of
Miami Child Protection Team, Department of Children and Families, Jackson
Hospital Rape Treatment Center, law enforcement and Guardian ad Litem. This
multidisciplinary team centralizes legal, medical and therapy services for families,
with the goal of limiting the trauma to the child and assisting them through the
process.
• Accredited by National Children's Alliance (since 2000) and by Council on
Accreditation - COA (since 2004). A member of National Child Traumatic Stress
Network (since 2012).
• A total of 61 employees in six locations throughout Miami -Dade.
• Annual budget of $4.4 million. Two-thirds public grants, one-third privately raised.
• Services provided to more 1,500 children annually.
• Nationally recognized and federally supported for Therapy program and for
training others in evidence -based practices with 18 clinicians on staff.
• Operating Project GOLD since 2007 as one of the first child advocacy centers
among 850 centers in the country to address the issue of commercial sexual
exploitation of children (CSEC), also known as child sex trafficking.
Experts in proven treatment for children acting out on other children; evidence -
based group therapy for children with problematic sexual behavior along
with their caregivers.
• Authored and advocated for the Florida Safe Harbor Act for child sex
trafficking victims, which became law in 2013, and operating the first Drop In
Center in Florida with specialized services for sex trafficked girls.
• With the proper evidence -based treatment, children can overcome child
sexual abuse, even in the most horrific of cases.
Kristi House's Project GOLD 14
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1265 Northwest 12th Avenue
Miami, Florida 33136
305-547-6800
www.kristihouse.org
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