HHSC Course 7T Human Trafficking of Adolescents

Course overview

This REVISED HUMAN TRAFFICKING COURSE 7T was approved by HHSC on March 30, 2026. It earns 7 CEUs, 3 of which are applied to Distinct Populations and 4 apply to General. The BHEC accepts this course for the Human Trafficking Certificate. The Goals are: 1. Learn the focus, approach, and achievements of the US Department of Justice and its partner organizations in the National Strategy to Combat Human Trafficking. 2. Understand the Federal laws applicable to all states and the legal definition of Human Trafficking for minors vs adults, as defined in the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA); know how to recognize the various forms of sex and labor trafficking to which victims are submitted which violate their Human Rights; and understand the volitional difference between Human Trafficking and Prostitution with adults. 3. Know the characteristics and methods of Human Trafficking perpetrators and the diverse settings in which they operate. 4. Learn a research-based, ETHICAL, and DISTINCT POPULATIONS (cultural) approach to assisting adolescent victims of Human Trafficking with the personal SAFETY strategies and methods of escape from the perpetrator. 5. Become familiar with the research-validated, REVISED Trafficking ASSESSMENT developed by Polaris, that is necessary for the successful prosecution of human trafficking perpetrators. Includes victim-centered language and questions, awareness of trauma-sensitive dynamics, sensitivity to safety issues, and respect for the victim's right to PRIVACY and CONFIDENTIALITY. 6. Understand the importance of gathering information to be used by law enforcement and the inherent limitations placed on CLIENT CONFIDENTIALITY to successfully prosecute the perpetrator. 7. Understand the typical etiology of how Human Trafficking exploitation and abuse occur in the lives of homeless and runaway youth, and the reasons why escape is difficult or impossible without TRAUMA Informed assistance and INTERAGENCY COORDINATION between LAW enforcement, SOCIAL SERVICES, and behavioral health professionals. 8. Understand the role of drugs, alcohol, homelessness, and survival sex in the deprivation of human rights, which is characteristic of Human Trafficking. 9. Know an ethical way to work with trafficking victims to develop a safety plan at various stages in the human trafficking situation while a victim is in the situation, during the process of leaving, and once the victim has left and how to ensure safety for staff within the program. 10. Learn the Texas Statute requirements for reporting abuse and neglect of individuals ages 65 and older and disabled persons.