WHY FOCUS ON THE CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM?
Between 50% and 90% of child sexual exploitation survivors in the United States have been involved in the child welfare system at some point in their lives.
Child Welfare Information Gateway, 2015 / Read Full Article
“Her name was Linda and she is my mom still to this day.”
-Jasmine, survivor and former Washington foster youth
Who we are:
ConnectUP brings together a team of dynamic partner agencies dedicated to serving children and families in Washington State.
WHY FOCUS ON THE CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM?
Many of the same factors that lead children to be involved in the child welfare system, past abuse or lack of family support for example, are the same factors that leave children vulnerable to commercials sexual exploitation.
Our History:
In the summer of 2015…
…the King County CSEC Task Force convened a group of stakeholders tasked with addressing the overlap between commercial sexual exploitation and the child welfare system in Washington State. This group identified the need for therapeutic foster homes dedicated to serving children who have experienced commercial sexual exploitation as a priority, and set out to find and support families who would be willing to open their homes to these children. Since that time, this idea has grown into a multi-agency program and has added an array of additional services and supports.
Are you currently caring for a child who has been or is at risk of commercial sexual exploitation?
ConnectUP may be able to help.
