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 board rate is about $25 a day), bringing foster parent compensation for those placements to about $70 a day. The proposal also would provide a youth incentive stipend of up to $100 a month for individualized positive‑behavior plans. Williams said the budget and service model were based on an initial cohort of 10 youth; presenters told the commission there are six verified youth currently in dependency who meet the program’s criteria and that additional youth would be identified to reach the ten‑youth pilot size.

Commission members and stakeholders pressed for implementation details. Celeste Williams of Redefining Refuge asked how the $100 monthly stipend to youth would be disbursed; Williams (Children’s Network) replied the money would be managed by foster parents and tied to individualized behavior plans. Natasha Nascimento of Redefining Refuge and others raised concern about oversight and suggested tangible incentives (outings, services) rather than cash or easily resold gift cards; the presenters said oversight would occur through foster parents and case management and that alternatives such as supervised savings accounts could be used.

Questions also addressed training and licensure. The presenters described the No More Foundation as a prior partner and said No More agreed to provide train‑the‑trainer sessions; several commission members urged exploring Devereux (a contracted therapeutic foster care provider) or other experienced therapeutic providers for training and noted that any licensure changes would proceed through the Department of Children and Families (DCF). Director Patrick Mincey of Children’s Services and procurement staff said procurement and contract guardrails would be needed to ensure reimbursement and compliance.

After discussion, a motion to approve the budget as presented was made and seconded; the commission then voted in favor. The record shows a voice vote of “aye” and no recorded nays. The presenters and staff said procurement would now begin work to finalize contracts and scopes of work.

The commission discussed routing contract decisions through the steering committee when timelines for procurement require faster action; presenters and staff said they would work with procurement and Children’s Services to develop the contract and implementation timeline.

The Children’s Network presentation in the packet lists a total ask of $182,253.50 and includes a 10% indirect rate; presenters said that amount was a prorated figure for the county fiscal period and that they could begin training and program activities as soon as contracts were in place.

The commission’s action moves the program into procurement and contract development; the presenters said they would return with more details on eligibility and oversight measures at subsequent steering committee or full‑board meetings.