Training - Supporting sex trafficked, exploited, and at-risk youth in specialized residential settings

Basic staff training on human trafficking

Required - This basic human trafficking training is required by Minn. Statutes 245A.25, subdivision 5, para. (f)  for all staff who have direct contact  [defined in Minn. Statutes 245C.02, subd. 11] with a youth in a  residential facility with an FFPSA certification to specialize in serving sex trafficked (ST), commercially sexually exploited (CSE), or at-risk youth. 

Recommended - Although it is not required, this training is also recommended for other staff and management working in these specialized settings, or in other residential facilities such as qualified residential treatment programs (QRTPs), programs serving pregnant or parenting youth, psychiatric residential treatment facilities (PRTFs), transitional housing programs, shelters, or correctional facilities. 

Helpful - Anyone in a caregiving role such as parents, foster parents, pre-adoptive, or kinship providers caring for ST/CSE/at- risk youth, may also find this training informative.

Initial training

Staff who have direct contact with youth must complete all modules (as explained in Module 1 of the series) and obtain a certificate of completion to demonstrate the training was completed. Staff hired prior to August 1, 2022 must complete this training by January 1, 2023. Staff hired on or after August 1, 2022 must complete it prior to having direct contact with youth served by the program. 

Note: Although the Module 1 video recommends completing a training on basic human trafficking awareness prior to completion of modules 1 to 5, this additional training is not required as part of the certification standards. 

Annual training

Staff who have direct contact must also complete some type of human trafficking training annually. To meet this requirement, staff must either retake this same training or any training of their program’s choice on human trafficking, exploitation, or youth at risk of trafficking or exploitation.   

Modules

Discussion guide

Using this discussion guide is not required to meet the training requirement but may be helpful to your program. For further consideration and discussion, use these prompts to engage in team dialogue or conversation among staff and supervisors, access the discussion guide.

Additional resources

For information on how ST/CSE/at-risk youth are identified and considered for placement in a specialized setting, visit the Safe Harbor/No Wrong Door section of this site. For specialized settings, including facility settings overview (PDF), see Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA)/Minnesota Department of Human Services (mn.gov). See information on the implementation of the Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA). For information on certification requirements or to apply for certification, visit the DHS-Licensing Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA) Specialized Settings License Certifications website.

For questions about licensing or certification, contact the DHS licensor for your program or email: FFPSA.Setting.Certification.DHS@state.mn.us. 

For information about this training for direct contact services staff in specialized settings certified to serve sex trafficked, commercially sexually exploited, or at-risk youth, contact DHS.SafeHarbor@state.mn.us.