KIND Advocates for TVPRA
- Wednesday, June 03, 2009 |
- Written by Matthew Mesa
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KIND is working hard to ensure that the William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008 (TVPRA), which became law in December, translates into changes to protect children's lives and futures.
"The TVPRA is a big step forward towards protecting unaccompanied children," says KIND Executive Director Wendy Young. "We have to make sure its good intensions are acted upon and that we see a real difference in the treatment of these children."The TVPRA significantly expands the role and responsibilities of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which is charged with the care, custody and protection of unaccompanied alien children. This work has been carried out by HHS's Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) Division of Unaccompanied Children's Services.KIND has been advocating on Capitol Hill for more funding for ORR so it can fulfill its increased mandate for services for unaccompanied children. KIND has also been meeting with high level officials to recommend ways to best implement the TVPRA.The TVPRA builds upon the changes enacted in 2002 when the custody and care of unaccompanied children was transferred from the former Immigration and Naturalization Service to HHS. (click here for more information on the TVPRA).In addition to an increase in overall support, KIND is advocating for targeted funding to facilitate pro bono representation of all unaccompanied children; for child advocates to protect vulnerable children's best interests; for legal orientation presentations for family and other sponsors of children released from custody; and for increased capacity of field coordinators to evaluate children's needs and advocate for them. KIND is also urging HHS to provide funding to extend services to children after their release from ORR custody to ensure that these children are receiving the care they need and deserve, particularly those who are recovering from abuse, persecution, trafficking or other trauma.KIND is trying to ensure that the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security, which adjudicate children's cases, institute procedures that give children a fair opportunity to share their experiences of abuse and trauma as comfortably as possible. In addition, KIND is advocating that judges and lawyers be trained so that they don't inadvertently cause children more trauma."It is vital that compassion be shown so that children are not hurt further and not sent home to face more harm or even death," Young says.
KIND is working hard to ensure that the William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008 (TVPRA), which became law in December, translates into changes to protect children's lives and futures.
"The TVPRA is a big step forward towards protecting unaccompanied children," says KIND Executive Director Wendy Young. "We have to make sure its good intensions are acted upon and that we see a real difference in the treatment of these children."
The TVPRA significantly expands the role and responsibilities of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which is charged with the care, custody and protection of unaccompanied alien children. This work has been carried out by HHS's Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) Division of Unaccompanied Children's Services.
KIND has been advocating on Capitol Hill for more funding for ORR so it can fulfill its increased mandate for services for unaccompanied children. KIND has also been meeting with high level officials to recommend ways to best implement the TVPRA.
The TVPRA builds upon the changes enacted in 2002 when the custody and care of unaccompanied children was transferred from the former Immigration and Naturalization Service to HHS. (click here for more information on the TVPRA).
In addition to an increase in overall support, KIND is advocating for targeted funding to facilitate pro bono representation of all unaccompanied children; for child advocates to protect vulnerable children's best interests; for legal orientation presentations for family and other sponsors of children released from custody; and for increased capacity of field coordinators to evaluate children's needs and advocate for them. KIND is also urging HHS to provide funding to extend services to children after their release from ORR custody to ensure that these children are receiving the care they need and deserve, particularly those who are recovering from abuse, persecution, trafficking or other trauma.
KIND is trying to ensure that the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security, which adjudicate children's cases, institute procedures that give children a fair opportunity to share their experiences of abuse and trauma as comfortably as possible. In addition, KIND is advocating that judges and lawyers be trained so that they don't inadvertently cause children more trauma.
"It is vital that compassion be shown so that children are not hurt further and not sent home to face more harm or even death," Young says.
