1. (a) Programs serving victims of human trafficking and their dependents or family members should consider special service needs when developing a plan to offer services.
2. (b) All certified programs shall provide safe, accessible, and trauma-informed services for victims of human trafficking and their dependents or non-offending family members.
3. (c) The program shall develop a philosophy of trauma-informed service provision based upon voluntary services and individual self-determination. The written statement of the philosophy of services shall be approved by the governing authority and made available to the community, staff, volunteers and clients.
4. (d) The program shall have policies and protocols for accepting victims of human trafficking and develop procedures to maintain facilities, staffing, and operational methods, including a policy on the recruitment of board members, staff and volunteers who are representative of the diversity in the local community and the diversity of their clients.

5. (e) All certified programs shall ensure program facilities or temporary emergency housing is provided and be able to respond to special needs which may include:

   1. (1) Length of stay shall be based on the needs of the client;
   2. (2) Safety planning should be tailored to each individual’s needs, circumstances, culture, and level of risk. The complexity of human trafficking -including psychological manipulation, financial control, threats to family, cultural dynamics, and community ties – creates unique safety challenges. Safety planning must account for the reality that traffickers may include intimate partners, family members, acquaintances, or organized networks;
   3. (3) Human trafficking victims may never have assimilated into the local community or U.S. culture. Such lack of assimilation, in addition to language barriers and lack of family or community support may make it difficult to meet program facility requirements such as communal meals, support groups and roommates of different ethnic, cultural or religious backgrounds;
   4. (4) Human trafficking victims may have language interpretation needs. The program shall provide access to an interpreter. It may be necessary for the program to provide translations of written consent forms and other documents;
   5. (5) Human trafficking victims may need intensive case management and advocacy for extended periods of time;

6. (6) In trafficking situation, victims of human trafficking are often compelled to provide their services without any compensation. Programs should be cognizant of this dynamic, especially as it relates to the assignment of chores;

   1. (7) Programs should ensure victims are educated about the value of participating in the legal prosecution of offenders and that an appropriate release or waiver may be necessary. It is the human trafficking victim's choice to cooperate with law enforcement Upon the request of the survivor, programs shall provide advocacy and support related to interactions with law enforcement, criminal, civil, or juvenile legal systems. Program staff shall ensure that any release or waiver of information is obtained as appropriate. Programs shall respect the survivor's decision on whether or not to engage with legal processes, and advocacy shall be provided in alignment with that choice;
   2. (8) Victims of human trafficking may often have complex legal needs and be charged with federal or state crimes. Programs should develop relationships with qualified criminal defense and civil attorneys, including the federal and state public defender offices that can assist them; or
   3. (9) Because of the complex and varied needs of human trafficking victims, programs should establish relationships with a broad range of community partners. These may include healthcare providers, housing and shelter programs, mental health and substance use treatment, legal and immigration services, economic empowerment initiatives, education and employment development, cultural and faith-based organizations, and other community resources. Programs should assess these partners as potential referral sources to ensure they can appropriately meet the needs of victims, and may also need to provide education to community partners on human trafficking and the trauma it causes to strengthen their ability to respond effectively.
7. (f) All certified programs shall provide services free from all forms of unlawful discrimination based on race, sex, color, age, national origin, genetic information, religion, disability (i.e., physical, mental illness and substance abuse), or economic or educational status, including a policy that services to will not be denied or diminished on the basis of immigration status.
8. (g) Compliance with this Section shall be determined by a review of the program's policies and procedures, service agreements, on-site observation, client and staff interviews, and other supporting documentation.

Added at 28 Ok Reg 1931, eff 7-11-11

Amended at 31 Ok Reg 820, eff 9-12-14

Amended at 33 Ok Reg 1226, eff 9-11-16

Amended at 36 Ok Reg 1390, eff 9-13-19

Amended at 38 Ok Reg 1701, eff 9-11-21

Amended at 41 Ok Reg, Number 21, effective 7-25-24

Amended at 43 Ok Reg, Number 18, effective 6-11-26