HPD Perspectives Magazine Summer/Fall 2019

NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY | 3 T he Coalition for Research and Education Against Trafficking and Exploitation (CREATE) was made possible in 2015 through a lead donation by the Heidi Schaeffer, M.D. Charitable Trust, which was administered by the Community Foundation of Broward, and in-kind support from NSU. In 2019, CREATE was funded by a grant from the James I. Codding- ton, Jr. Charitable Fund, which Schaeffer matched. CHALLENGE There is limited research on human trafficking. KEY EFFORTS n Raise awareness of human traf- ficking among practicing clinicians, students in health care education programs, health care organizations, and community health settings in Broward County, Florida. n Educate and prepare dental, optometry, and mental health clini- cians to provide trauma-informed health care services to victims of human trafficking. n Measure the success of CREATE’s outreach efforts. KEY FINDING n Providers trained in trauma- informed care demonstrated greater awareness, knowledge, and skill in their delivery of care to trafficked survivors. The NSU faculty members who presented the results of the “Trauma-Informed Health Care for Human Trafficking Victims” study at the 2019 American Dental Educa- tion Association Annual Meeting in Chicago, Illinois, were Brianna Black Kent, Ph.D., R.N., PCHCS assistant dean of professional development; Sandrine Gaillard-Kenney, Ed.D., PCHCS associate dean; Adel Khatib, D.D.S., postgraduate program director of community and public health sciences at NSU’s College of Dental Medicine (CDM); and Diane Ede-Nichols, D.M.S., M.H.L., M.P.H., CDM chair of community and public health sciences. NEXT RESEARCH GOAL n Explore the experiences of victims who received trauma-informed health care services through NSU’s health clinics. NEXT AWARENESS STEPS n Continue to raise awareness of traffick- ing through trainings, presentations, publications, and education of health care professionals, law enforcement, and local and national communities. n Develop a daylong human trafficking symposium in preparation for the 2020 Super Bowl, as requested by the United States Attorney’s Office—Southern District of Florida. Scheduled to take place in Miami Gardens, Florida, the symposium will prepare the attendees to recognize the indicators of sex and labor trafficking. NEXT ACTION STEPS n Improve the delivery of health care to the vulnerable and special needs population of human trafficking victims. n Expand CREATE’s partnership with NSU’s College of Dental Medi- cine, as it is the primary resource in South Florida providing a wide range of dental services to victims of trafficking at no cost. n Continue CREATE’s partnership with NSU’s College of Psychology to provide mental health services to survivors. n Serve at least 40 human traffick- ing survivors over the next 2 years, providing dental, mental health, and/or optometry care, as well as transportation services as necessary. n Forge additional partnerships within the NSU community and with victim agencies in local communities. ONE PERSON AT A TIME In 2016, CREATE assisted its first survivor, a 24-year-old male from Eastern Europe who was brought to Hollywood, Florida, by a sex trafficking ring. When this survivor was rescued by law enforcement, he left behind what few items he owned, including his prescription glasses. CREATE and the NSU College of Optometry partnered to provide an extensive eye examina- tion and new prescription glasses. CREATE will continue to make a difference for children, women, and men who are reclaiming their lives from the trauma of human trafficking— one person at a time. o BY BRIANNA BLACK KENT, PH.D., R.N. CREATE a Change