Key Findings

SYSTEM FRAGMENTATION & LACK OF COORDINATION 

• Survivors are overlooked during transitions between state, federal, & local systems. Poor communication and data sharing across DFPS, HHSC, ORR, TJJD, and other systems create delays in service. 

AGENCY INSTABILITY & TRAINING GAPS 

• High staff turnover leads to constant retraining and loss of expertise, which can lead to frontline workers lacking enough trafficking knowledge, and many new frontline workers lack cultural competency. 

FAILURES IN IDENTIFICATION & SCREENING 

• The CSE-IT tool is valuable but often used as a confirmation tool rather than a universal screening tool. Many victims, especially young men, remain unidentified or are identified too late. Lack of follow-up screening after trust-building causes missed disclosures. 

PREVENTION AND SERVICES FOR YOUTH ARE UNDERDEVELOPED    

• Youth nearing adulthood, especially 17-year-olds, fall into systemic service gaps due to lack ID documents, transition planning, and stable housing. Systems operate reactively and focus more on response than prevention. Early intervention programs and upstream risk mitigation are underfunded. Prevention programs lack outcome data. 

ECONOMIC & WORKFORCE BARRIERS     

• Limited workforce supports leave survivors without economic stability and increases the risk of returning to exploitation. Due to low education levels and lack of job history create barriers to employment, and workforce systems are not trauma-informed, limiting long-term stability for survivors. 

Recommendations

SYSTEM FRAGMENTATION & LACK OF COORDINATION 

• DFPS should create transition protocols with TJJD, so youth moving between child welfare and juvenile justice systems do not face gaps in custody, placement, or services. Formal coordination with TWC is also needed to support youth aging out of care with housing, employment, and long–term stability. 

AGENCY INSTABILITY & TRAINING GAPS 

• DFPS should standardize human trafficking training for DFPS staff, SSCC/CBC staff, and contracted providers. Training should be annual, trauma informed, survivor centered, and scenario based. It should cover trafficking, trauma, substance use, addiction, and delinquent behavior, while also including gender inclusive identification protocols for boys, LGBTQ+ youth, and other overlooked populations. 

FAILURES IN IDENTIFICATION & SCREENING   

• DFPS should standardize CSE IT implementation, require routine and event triggered rescreening, and make all screening protocols trauma informed. Clear statewide standards are needed so youth are screened consistently across regions and connected to trafficking related services fairly. 

PREVENTION AND SERVICES FOR YOUTH ARE UNDERDEVELOPED   

• DFPS and TJJD should establish clear protocols for youth ages 16 to 18 who move between systems. These protocols should define custody, agency responsibility, timelines, placements, and service coordination to ensure continuity of care after release. Human trafficking and exploitation risks should be included in existing public health and youth prevention programs, especially those focused on substance use. Texas should also modernize the YRBS questionnaire to address online harms, problematic social media use, deepfake image sharing, loneliness, anxiety, school phone policies, and in school phone use. 

OVERLOOKED POPULATIONS   

• Training and identification protocols should ensure boys, LGBTQ+ youth, men, and other overlooked populations are recognized as potential trafficking victims. Texas should also expand access to SANE certified providers and ensure providers are trained and comfortable serving male survivors. 

ECONOMIC & WORKFORCE BARRIERS    

• TWC should require each Local Workforce Development Board to designate a staff member to coordinate services for trafficking survivors. Employment services should address resume gaps, limited work history, education needs, mental health challenges, trauma related barriers, lack of identification documents, and individualized career planning. Trauma–informed employment pathways should also be developed across Local Workforce Development Boards. 

FOR QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS PLEASE CONTACT: 

Mandi Kimball, VP & Chief Government Relations Officer, mkimball@childrenatrisk.org, 

Caroline Roberts, Senior Director of Public Policy, croberts@childrenatrisk.org