Safe Steps Initiative
Guiding Survivors, Restoring Hope, Empowering Futures
CTSCD employs a trauma-informed, survivor-centered strategy for delivering services to victims and survivors of human trafficking. This approach:
-
Focuses on individual strengths and the effects of trauma
-
Prioritizes physical, psychological, and emotional safety
-
Fosters individual control and empowerment in the healing process
Why Charlotte, NC?
The Safe Steps Initiative primarily services Charlotte, North Carolina due to its high rates of human trafficking and its need for comprehensive survivor support services. North Carolina ranks in the top 12 states for human trafficking cases. Charlotte has the highest number of cases in the state due to its geographic positioning as a major transportation hub.
Key Facts About Charlotte:
-
Largest city in North Carolina (312 square miles)
-
Population: Over 800,000 residents
-
Fourth most diverse city among the eight largest U.S. cities
-
Major transportation hub with two major interstate highways, an international airport, and a busy Amtrak station
Short term (up to 6-months) secure and safe housing environment designed to provide emergency placement and stabilization practices by trained professional staff for suspected or confirmed human trafficking victims up to 21 years old. Upon entry to the program, an intake will be completed, and consumers will be assessed for medical, mental, and behavioral health services to address immediate needs, along with shelter, food, and clothing.
Risk and Safety: This screening is designed to identify potential risks and to develop a safety plan tailored to the consumers specific needs for personal, support systems, communications, transportation, financial, legal, and overall well being. Physical Health Screening: consumers will undergo a medical screening by trained professionals to identify immediate medical needs and may include screenings for tuberculosis, sexually transmitted diseases, pregnancy, vaccinations/immunizations, medical treatment for physical injuries, and dental care. Mental Health: An initial screening using the Quick Youth Indicators for Trafficking (QYIT) has 87% accuracy in identifying potential victims of trafficking. It is useful for youth care worker “yes/no” intakes as well as for more in-depth counselor and social worker assessments. The questions included in the QYIT provide the rapport-building context so critical to establishing a connection with youth. These yes or no questions can be used at any stage in working with youth. More comprehensive assessments may be needed to establish medical necessity and may include one or more of the following: Diagnostic Assessment [DA], Comprehensive Evaluation of Sexual Harm-[CESH], Trauma Focused Assessment [TFA], or Trauma Informed Comprehensive Clinical Assessment [TICCA].
Case Management is the coordination of services to create a continuum of care involving an integrated system of care that guides and tracks the consumer over time through a comprehensive array of health services spanning all levels of intensity. Once stabilized, the consumer will be assigned a case manager who will coordinate recommended services such as therapy, peer support, educational support and tutoring, life skills, out-of-home placement or reunification, social and financial services, and recreational activities as the consumer continues the recovery process.
The case manager effects a prescribed Individual Plan of Care (IPOC) or Person-Centered Plan (PCP) developed with input from the consumer and their clinical team to help meet comprehensive clinical needs.; reunification with family or out-of-home placements; transportation, legal, and other identified services and resources; access to public or commercial medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage. In addition, the case manager will coordinate regular team meetings to ensure continuity of care.
Along with the treatment team, a clinician will work with the consumer to develop and identify planned interventions (IPOC/PCP) to help the consumers achieve and maintain stability; improve their physical, mental, and emotional health; and cope with or gain control over the symptoms of their illness(es) and the effects of their trauma. OPT is used to assist consumers with problem solving, achieving goals, and managing their lives by treating a variety of behavioral health issues. Services may be provided in an individual or family setting and include face-to-face visits and telehealth visits. OPT can be Individual Therapy (IP) or Family Therapy (FP).
Peer Support Services involves community-based recovery services provided directly to an individual diagnosed with a mental health or substance use disorder. PSS provides structured, scheduled services that promote recovery, self-determination, self-advocacy, engagement in self-care and wellness and enhancement of community living skills of individuals. PSS services are directly provided by Certified Peer Support Specialists (CPSS) who have self-identified as a person(s) in recovery from a mental health or substance use disorder. PSS can be provided in combination with other approved mental health or substance use services or as an independent service. Due to the high prevalence of individuals with co-occurring disorders (mental health, substance use, or physical health disorders), it is a priority that integrated treatment be available to individuals to be served.
Experiential therapy involves activities like role-play, props, music, or art to process negative emotions. By participating in these activities, consumers may access feelings that may otherwise be hidden or not easily communicated. When we evoke, re-experience, and reflect on negative emotions, we can work to identify where they came from and move past them.
Community Outreach is the development and production of content for print media, radio, video, television, online channels, website blogs, and outdoor advertising to promote anti-trafficking events, victims’ rights, and available services; designing and printing promotional materials; support for event speakers; design and printing of posters, invitations, and fliers; and the purchase of supplies and materials used in public awareness events and activities. Establish and maintain a consistent presence on social media platforms and other media outlets to provide information on awareness, education, and prevention of human trafficking.
Educational Outreach provides educational resources and trainings to equip the consumer’s natural home environment/out-of-home placement facilities (non-offending biological/adoptive parents or therapeutic foster care parents) with interventions, resources, and educational materials and trainings to support, assist, and empower human trafficking victims/survivors while in their care.
Future Services
Transitional Living
Outpatient Therapy Services
Personalized care designed to help individuals and families heal, grow, and thrive.
What We Offer
Our dedicated Outpatient Behavioral Health Clinicians provide trauma-informed therapy and mental health services tailored to individual needs.
Comprehensive Clinical Assessments
Individual, Family & Group Therapy
Tele-health Therapy
Sexual-Trauma Evaluation & Therapy
Trauma-Focused Therapy
Crisis Intervention & Safety Planning
Play Therapy
Is Outpatient Therapy Right for You?
Our therapy services benefit individuals facing emotional, behavioral, and mental health challenges.
Mental Health Disorders
Substance Use Disorders
Difficulty Managing Emotions & Behavioral Challenges
Trauma, Abuse, or PTSD
Family or Relationship Struggles
Disordered Eating
Recent Traumatic Events
A Closer Look at Our Services
Our evidence-based therapies help individuals regain control, build resilience, and find healing.
Comprehensive Clinical Assessments are intensive, clinical evaluations used to ascertain an individual’s social, family and mental health history, in order identify the individual’s strengths and needs, and to make recommendations for appropriate services.
Individual Therapy is an interpersonal, relational intervention directed towards increasing an individual’s sense of well-being that focuses on the enhancement of an individual’s capacity to manage his or her emotions and behaviors through effective decision making, developing and acquiring coping skills, making better choices and decisions, achievement of personal goals, and development of self-confidence and self-esteem.
Family Therapy allows consumers and their families to work together toward resolving emotional and behavioral difficulties and encourages personal development and ways to improve and manage functioning.
Group Therapy is a method of treatment in which consumers with similar problems meet face-to-face in a group with a clinician. The focus of Group Therapy is to assist consumers with solving, emotional difficulties and to encourage the personal development of participants in the group. The group process allows members to offer each other support, share common experiences, identify strategies that have been successful for them, and to challenge each other’s behaviors and cognitions. The therapist guides the group to ensure the process is productive for all members and focuses on identified therapeutic issues.
TeleHealth allows our professional clinical staff to evaluate, diagnose and treat patients in remote locations using telecommunications technology. Tele-therapy allows consumers in remote locations to access mental health expertise quickly, efficiently and without travel. It provides more efficient use of limited expert resources who can "see" patients in multiple locations wherever they are needed without leaving their facility. Tele-therapy allows local practitioners to consult with their peers and with clinical experts when needed.
North Carolina Referrals Form
If you or someone you know needs Outpatient Behavioral Health Services or Safe Steps Initiative support:
1. Download and fill out the referral Form: