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Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention, Youth, and Victim Services Releases Notice of Funding Availability for Regional Navigator Grant Program

July 30, 2020

NEWS FROM: GOVERNOR’S OFFICE OF CRIME PREVENTION, YOUTH, AND VICTIM SERVICES

For immediate release:
Contact:
Robyne McCullough robyne.mccullough@maryland.gov
Phone: 667.967.9022

 Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention, Youth, and Victim Services Releases Notice of Funding Availability for Regional Navigator Grant Program
Up to $1 Million Available to Expand Program Supporting Child Victims of Sex Trafficking

ANNAPOLIS, MD – The Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention, Youth, and Victim Services announced today the release of the FY 21 Notice of Funding Availability for the Child Sex Trafficking Screening and Services Act Regional Navigator Program. Up to $1 million in federal grant funding will be allocated to continue and expand the Regional Navigator Program which launched in FY 20, to provide comprehensive services for child victims of sex trafficking in Maryland.

The Child Sex Trafficking Screening and Services Act of 2019, signed into law by Governor Larry Hogan in May of 2019, requires law enforcement and local departments of social services to notify a Regional Navigator when they encounter a youth they have reason to believe may be a victim of sex trafficking. The Regional Navigator then provides or connects that young person with necessary services. Under the law, trafficking victims are eligible to receive assistance until age 24.

“This critical initiative demonstrates the Hogan-Rutherford administration commitment to addressing human trafficking in Maryland, and served as a lifeline for 38 child sex trafficking victims in its first year,” said Glenn Fueston, Executive Director of the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention, Youth, and Victim Services. “Continuing to expand this program means providing crucial support to victims of trafficking and connecting child victims with resources to get them to safety.”

Three organizations in Maryland participated in the first year pilot for the Regional Navigator program:

Child advocacy centers, sexual assault crisis programs, and qualified community-based victim services providers are eligible to apply for FY 21 funding. The deadline to submit an application is August 20, 2020 by 3 p.m. For more information about this grant opportunity, please see the Notice of Funding Availability.