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Contra Costa accepts anti‑human‑trafficking update highlighting data, service expansion and funding stresses
Summary
The Board of Supervisors received an updated countywide human‑trafficking report showing 2024 service and identification increases, new survivor supports and concern over federal VOCA funding delays; supervisors asked staff for improved data collection and culturally competent outreach.
The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors on Dec. 9 received an update from the Employment and Human Services Department and the Contra Costa Human Trafficking Task Force on local efforts to identify and serve victims of human trafficking.
EHSD Director Marla Stewart and task force partners presented 2024 figures showing Children and Family Services supported 131 children and youth identified as at‑risk or victims and that task‑force partners identified about 160 confirmed or potential victims countywide in 2024. Task‑force data showed 86 human‑trafficking investigations and 15 prosecutions last year. Stewart said programs distributed both cash and CalFresh through the county’s Trafficking and Crime Victim Assistance Program (TCVAP): “a total of $932,113 were issued in TCVAP Cash Aid and CalFresh combined,” an increase of $351,739 from 2023.
The presentation outlined a four‑stage survivor roadmap — identification and response; assessment and stabilization; recovery and restoration; and empowerment — and described recent service enhancements including revamped emergency backpacks with culturally responsive, SOGIE‑affirming items and expanded training for educators (a reported 385% increase in school‑district participation). Katrina Natale, who represents the district attorney’s office on the task force, said the county has seen a notable rise in labor‑trafficking identifications, driven in part by administrative inspections at massage establishments.
Speakers emphasized persistent equity gaps in identification. Presenters said 84% of identified youth were designated female at birth and that most affected children were ages 12–16, peaking at 14. The presentation noted that 39% of identified CSEC (commercially sexually exploited children) in county data were Black or African American and that males and gender‑diverse youth are likely underreported.
Supervisors pressed staff for clearer and more complete data. Supervisor John Gioia asked why the county’s youth dataset lists a very low percentage of Latina/o youth compared with state and national figures; staff acknowledged gaps in race/ethnicity reporting (about 21% of youth records lack race data) and said a new data working group will improve collection and safe reporting practices.
The task force also warned of funding instability. Staff described uncertainty around federal VOCA (Victims of Crime Act) allocations and administrative delays that have reduced the predictability of grant funding for victim services. The county and several state lawmakers have sought supplemental state funding to offset federal shortfalls.
During public comment, Rose Makar, founder and executive director of Justice at Last, offered provider data: “For the 2024 numbers, we served 57 clients,” she said, and noted 83% of her clients identified as BIPOC. The board voted to receive the report unanimously, with Supervisor Diane Burgess absent.
The presentation concluded with a request that the board receive the update and continue to support task‑force efforts to strengthen identification, culturally competent services, outreach and federal/state funding advocacy. Staff said they will return with more refined data and proposed next steps through the Family and Human Services Committee.
