In recognition of National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, which is marked in January, the New Jersey Department of Education is offering interested school staff the opportunity to attend a two-part training series on human trafficking awareness and prevention as it relates to schools, according to an advisory.
Human trafficking is a crime that has been reported in all 50 states with children and youth being common targets of related exploitation. It is critical that school staff members are properly trained and prepared to respond to instances of suspected trafficking.
The training series being offered by the NJDOE was first offered in January 2024 and is making a return after receiving strong interest. While there are some noted differences between this year and last year’s session, the essential content is the same.
Webinar Information
In alignment with the Guidelines for Schools on the Prevention of Human Trafficking of Students, this two-part series will offer the following:
- Part I: An overview of what human trafficking is, its risk factors, recruitment tactics of traffickers, behavioral indicators of trafficking and reporting and response protocols.
- Part II: Suggestions for ways in which schools can incorporate and provide prevention and awareness education utilizing a tiered system of support lens on not only human trafficking specifically, but also on broader skills that can serve as protective factors for students.
Interested attendees should register for each session via NJDOE’s calendar of events.
Each session will last 90 minutes, with attendees receiving certificates of attendance. Part I (Human Trafficking 101: The Basics for School Staff) will be held on Friday, Jan. 10, 2025, and Part II (Human Trafficking: Supporting Prevention and Awareness within Schools) will be held on Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025.
For any questions, please contact the Office of Student Support Services via email or by phone at 609-376-9109.
