Mississippi Bureau of Investigation Human Trafficking Unit Grant: BJA FY 19 Enhanced Collaborative Model (ECM) Task Force to Combat Human Trafficking (“Grant”): Supporting Law Enforcement's Role.

Pursuant to the specific authority codified at Section 97-3-54.9(1)(j), the Coordinator, through MDPS, applied for and on October 1, 2019 was awarded the BJA FY 19 Enhanced Collaborative Model (ECM) Task Force to Combat Human Trafficking (“Grant”): Supporting Law Enforcement's Role. This funding provided equipment and funding for three additional MBI human trafficking investigators, one per region, in North, Central, and South MS.

The Grant is designed to support the development and enhancement of multidisciplinary human trafficking task forces that implement a victim-centered, trauma-informed, offender-focused, coordinated approach to combat all forms of human trafficking, including sex and labor trafficking of both foreign nationals and U.S. citizens (of all sexes and ages), within the United States.

A requirement under the Grant was to partner with a victim services provider seeking funding under the FY 2019 OVC Direct Services to Support Victims of Human Trafficking Program: Focus Area 3 – Comprehensive Services and Partnership with Enhanced Collaborative Model Human Trafficking Task Forces. The Office Against Interpersonal Violence, MS State Department of Health was awarded this partner grant on October 1, 2019. 

The purpose of the partner grant is to assist in the identification of victims and to enhance the services available to survivors of human trafficking in Mississippi by ensuring that trauma informed, survivor centered services are provided statewide.