Services to Victims of a Severe Form of Trafficking is sponsored by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Office on Trafficking in Persons (OTIP). This program funds a coordinated set of initiatives to support foreign national victims of human trafficking, ensuring access to comprehensive and trauma-informed services for safety, recovery, and long-term independence.

Trafficking Victim Assistance Program (TVAP); Aspire: Child Trafficking Victim Assistance; Lighthouse: Services, Outreach, and Awareness for Labor Trafficking (Lighthouse); Victims of Human Trafficking Services and Outreach Program; SOAR to Health and Wellness Training (SOAR); and the National Human Trafficking Hotline (NHTH) HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF **Fiscal Year 2025:** Lighthouse Supported 38 survivors of labor trafficking, primarily women aged 11 to 74, exploited in domestic work, restaurants, agriculture, and elder care.

Launched public awareness campaigns with ads on local buses in California and Missouri to educate communities about labor trafficking and available resources. Conducted 31 outreach events, reaching 2,050 individuals, and presented at 12 additional events, engaging 137 attendees. TVAP / Aspire Rescued a 17-year-old female from forced labor; she was locked in a room for 12 hours daily and denied contact with her family.

OTIP coordinated with federal agencies to provide trauma-informed support. Assisted two siblings who were victims of labor trafficking and sexual abuse. Provided Continued Presence, mental health counseling, basic needs support, and school supplies.

Both are now in safe placements, with the younger sibling attending school and receiving ongoing counseling. SOAR Trained 345 healthcare and service providers and implemented a trafficking response protocol in a local hospital. 124 survivors (95 children, 29 adults) are receiving services through an expanded care coordination model.

Identified 24 potential trafficking victims out of 72 individuals screened in healthcare settings and enrolled them in services. National Human Trafficking Hotline (NHTH) Connected a sex-trafficked minor (victimized in both the U.S. and Canada) to urgent mental health services and victim assistance programs through expedited OTIP coordination.

Responded to an active trafficking case in New York, coordinating with multiple agencies to provide immediate services to a minor victim.

The following components are funded under this program: Trafficking Victim Assistance Program (TVAP) & Aspire: Child Trafficking Victim Assistance Program Lighthouse: Services, Outreach, and Awareness for Labor Trafficking SOAR to Health and Wellness National Human Trafficking Hotline (NHTH) Each funding opportunity contributes to the overarching goal of helping victims of trafficking rebuild their lives and access the support they need to thrive.

INCOME SECURITY AND SOCIAL SERVICES - NO Specialized Family and Child Welfare Services 22 U.S.C. § 7105(b)(1)(B) (Section 107(b) of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000, as amended by Section 4(a)(2)(B)(ii) of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2003; and Section 603 of the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015); 22 U.S.C. § 7104(b) (Section 106(b) of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000).

_These funding amounts do not reflect the award amounts that are displayed on USASpending. gov_ **This listing is funded for the current fiscal year. ** **Fiscal Year 2025:** OTIP funded continuations for one NHTH award, one TVAP award, one Aspire award, three Lighthouse awards, and two SOAR awards.

Through continued funding from the Office on Trafficking in Persons (OTIP), several programs made significant strides in supporting survivors of human trafficking and raising public awareness. Lighthouse award recipients provided direct services to 38 labor trafficking survivors, primarily low-income women aged 11 to 74, exploited in domestic work, agriculture, food service, and elder care.

Public awareness efforts included bus ad campaigns in California and Missouri and 43 outreach events that reached over 2,100 individuals. TVAP and Aspire programs delivered trauma-informed care to vulnerable youth. Notably, OTIP expedited support for a 17-year-old female fleeing forced labor, coordinating with federal agencies to ensure her safety and access to services.

Additionally, two siblings who experienced severe abuse and trafficking received comprehensive wraparound care, including mental health counseling, basic needs assistance, and educational support, resulting in safe placements and school re-engagement. SOAR funding enabled the expansion of a care coordination model, training 345 healthcare and service providers and implementing a trafficking response protocol in a local hospital.

The program currently serves 124 survivors, and recent screenings identified 24 new potential victims who were promptly enrolled in services. NHTH continued to play a critical role in identifying and responding to trafficking cases. In one instance, a minor sex trafficking victim was connected to urgent mental health services through OTIP’s rapid coordination with child welfare and law enforcement.

Another case involved a minor in an active trafficking situation in New York, where OTIP facilitated a multi-agency response to ensure the child’s safety and access to victim services. **Fiscal Year 2026:** OTIP will fund continuations for the TVAP, Aspire, and SOAR awards. OTIP is also expected to fund a new award for the National Human Trafficking Hotline.

F002 - Cooperative Agreement Proof of Nonprofit Status is required for TVAP, Aspire, NHTH, Lighthouse and SOAR. 2 CFR 200, Subpart E - Cost Principles applies to this program.

Not-for-Profit Organization, NOFOs under this program are unrestricted and open to any of the following entities; city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state controlled institutions of higher education; Native American tribal governments (federally recognized); public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments); nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS other than institutions of higher education; nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status with the IRS other than institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses.

Resident/Citizen of a U.S. Territory, Not-for-Profit Organization, These discretionary awards will benefit foreign national victims of human trafficking and those vulnerable to trafficking as well as health care and social service agencies working with vulnerable populations, other interested persons, and the general public.

Specific Restrictions Determined at NOFO Level, The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) leads HHS's efforts to combat human trafficking and modern forms of slavery by administering anti-trafficking programs through grants and contracts and collaborating with federal, state, tribal, and local government and non-government organizations.

OTIP is responsible for the overall leadership of anti-trafficking programs and services under the purview of ACF, including, but not limited to implementing provisions of relevant federal legislation and advising the Assistant Secretary in the development of anti-trafficking strategies, policies, and programs.

The TVPA of 2000, as amended, and subsequent reauthorizations authorize HHS to assist foreign national and domestic (United States citizen and lawful permanent resident) victims of human trafficking through a number of efforts including screening and identifying victims; providing victims benefits and services; conducting research; training for the identification of trafficking survivors; and raising awareness and preventing human trafficking.

Funds may be used only for the purpose set forth in the NOFOs. NHTH funding may be used to support the operation of a dedicated, toll-free, 24-hour, seven days a week, every day of the year U.S. national telephone and online communication system staffed by trained and experienced human trafficking advocates that provide services and assistance to victims of severe forms of labor and sex trafficking in persons.

TVAP funding may be used to fund time-limited comprehensive case management services on a per capita basis to foreign national victims of a severe form of trafficking in persons and potential victims of trafficking seeking the Health and Human Services (HHS) certification so they can re-establish their ability to live independently.

Aspire funding may be used to fund time-limited comprehensive case management services on a per capita basis to foreign national children and youth victims of a severe form of trafficking in persons and potential victims of trafficking seeking the HHS certification so they can re-establish their ability to live independently.

Lighthouse funding may be used to: 1) provide comprehensive, culturally responsive, and linguistically appropriate case management and victim assistance to foreign national adults who have experienced labor trafficking; 2) Conduct outreach to increase identification of foreign national adults who have experienced labor trafficking; and 3) Conduct public awareness activities for the local community and organizations that may encounter individuals who have experienced labor trafficking.

SOAR funds may be used to implement SOAR trainings and capacity building to identify, treat, and respond to patients or clients who have experienced severe forms of human trafficking as defined by the TVPA of 2000, as amended, among their patient or client population.

Specific Restrictions Determined at NOFO Level, No funds made available through NHTH may be used to promote, support, or advocate the legalization or practice of prostitution.

Nothing in the preceding sentence shall be construed to preclude assistance designed to promote the purposes of the TVPA by ameliorating the suffering of, or health risks to, victims while they are being trafficked or after they are out of the situation that resulted from such victims being trafficked. No funds may be paid for international travel.

Deadline determined at as part of the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) Preapplication coordination is required. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is eligible for coverage under E.

O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.

2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. The criteria for selecting proposals will be published in the NOFOs. Each application will be screened to determine whether it meets any of the disqualifying factors: missing the application deadline, required electronic submission or waiver requested and approved, or exceeding the Award Ceiling.

Disqualified applications are considered to be “non-responsive” and are excluded from the competitive review process. Applications competing for financial assistance will be reviewed and evaluated by objective review panels. Each panel is composed of experts with knowledge and experience in the area under review.

Generally, review panels include three reviewers and one chairperson. Results of the competitive objective review are taken into consideration by ACF in the selection of projects for funding; however, objective review scores and rankings are not binding. Scores and rankings are only one element used in the award decision-making process.

ACF reserves the right to consider preferences to fund organizations serving emerging, unserved, or under-served populations, including those populations located in pockets of poverty. In addition, ACF reserves the right to evaluate applications in the larger context of the overall portfolio by considering geographic distribution of federal funds (e.g. ensuring coverage of states, counties, or service areas) in its pre-award decisions.

ACF may elect not to fund applicants with management or financial problems that would indicate an inability to successfully complete the proposed project. In addition, ACF may elect to not allow a prime recipient to subaward if there is any indication that they are unable to properly monitor and manage subrecipients. Applications may be funded in whole or in part.

Successful applicants may be funded at an amount lower than requested. From 90 to 120 days. Contact the Administration for Children and Families, Office of Grants Management or review the NOFO, as appropriate, for application deadlines.

Awards are generally made for 3-year or 5-year project periods. Non-competing continuations will be issued based on availability of funds, satisfactory progress, compliance with award terms and conditions and a determination that continuation funding is in the best interest of the federal government. Not Applicable.

There is no appeal process for unsuccessful applicants. For existing recipients, appeals in regards to disputes may take place in accordance with 45 CFR Part 16, subject to the limitations of the Appendix A.

The following 2CFR policy requirements apply to this assistance listing: Subpart B, General provisions Subpart C, Pre-Federal Award Requirements and Contents of Federal Awards Subpart D, Post Federal; Award Requirements Subpart E, Cost Principles Subpart F, Audit Requirements The following 2CFR policy requirements are excluded from coverage under this assistance listing: Additional Information: The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) adopted the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Guidance in 2 CFR part 200, and has codified the text, with HHS-specific amendments in 2 CFR Part 200.

ACF recipients must follow the requirements in 2 CFR Part 200. **Financial Reports:**Recipients are required to submit quarterly financial reports, and an annual report at the end of the fiscal year. , Frequency: Quarterly Annually **Progress/Performance Reports :**Depending on the funding oppurtunity, recipients are required to either submit quarterly or semi-annual progress and performance reports.

, Frequency: Quarterly Semi-Annually All records are to be maintained in accordance with 2 CFR 200. 334-338.

Retention Period: 3 Years Domestic Assistance Program that uses Core-Based Statistical Area (CBSA): Services to Victims of a Severe Form of Trafficking Services to Victims of a Severe Form of Trafficking Services to Victims of a Severe Form of Trafficking Services to Victims of a Severe Form of Trafficking Services to Victims of a Severe Form of Trafficking Services to Victims of a Severe Form of Trafficking Services to Victims of a Severe Form of Trafficking Services to Victims of a Severe Form of Trafficking Services to Victims of a Severe Form of Trafficking Assistance for Victims of Trafficking