HEAL Trafficking Supports Senate Bill S.1446

May 30, 2015

“We write in strong support of your Senate bill S.1446 to establish the Stop, Observe, Ask, and Respond (SOAR) to Health and Wellness Training pilot program. This bill complements the health care training outlined in the Justice for Victims Trafficking Act as passed by the Senate and the House.

As the U.S. Government continues to coordinate interagency anti-trafficking efforts, HEAL Trafficking supports expanding the SOAR pilot program that HHS already has in place, codifying the program, diversifying the reach of those facilities and individuals to be trained, and increasing the types of trainings to be offered. This legislation has the potential for substantial impact, as it builds upon the SOAR pilot project’s multiple years of engagement with diverse stakeholders and federal partners as well its strong interagency integration with the Federal Strategic Action Plan on Services to Victims of Human Trafficking in the United States1. HEAL Trafficking has in-depth comprehension of this program through engagement in the SOAR National Technical Working Group and the national SOAR to Health and Wellness site trainings.”

To see the full letter, please click on the link above.