Commission approves $182,253.50 for Children’s Network to expand foster supports for trafficking‑vulnerable youth

The Hillsborough County Commission on Human Trafficking voted to approve $182,253.50 to the Children’s Network of Hillsborough County to fund a three‑part program aimed at preventing trafficking and supporting children in the dependency system.

The Children’s Network proposal, presented by Terry Ballot and Kimberly Williams of the network, requests funds for targeted marketing, a train‑the‑trainer program conducted in partnership with the No More Foundation, and enhanced subsidies and stipends for foster parents and youth. Kimberly Williams, identified in the meeting as the Children’s Network chief operating officer, said the program is meant to “support and prevent our most vulnerable population, which is our children in the dependency system.”

The network told the commission the proposed enhanced foster subsidy would add roughly $45 per day to the current daily board rate for 13‑ to 17‑year‑old youth (the presenters said the current…