Crittenton to Present at SWCAT 2014

Crittenton to Present at SWCAT 2014

November 27, 2013

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Crittenton Services for Children and Families

Martha Jasso, Director of Communications

(714) 680-6008

mjasso@crittentonsocal.org

 

LOS ANGELES, Calif. – Crittenton Services for Children and Families (CSCF) applauds the selection of Dr. Barbara Hernandez, Vice President of Community Based Services, CSCF and Wendy Curtis, Wraparound Clinical Director, CSCF as presenters at next year’s Southwest Conference against Trafficking (SWCAT 2014) to be held from January 17 to 19, 2014 at the Sheraton Fairplex Hotel & Conference Center in Pomona, Calif.

Crittenton to Present at SWCAT 2014

Crittenton’s Dr. Barbara Hernandez, VP of Community Based Services and Wendy Curtis, Clinical Director of Wraparound Services will present at SWCAT 2014.

“Crittenton is supportive of all organizations whose mission is to improve the status of women and that help advocate for the well being of families in crisis”, said Martha Jasso, Director of Communications, CSCF. “The National Women’s Coalition Against Violence and Exploitation (NWCAVE) is one such organization that has demonstrated a commitment to end human trafficking and other forms of abuse. We are humbled by their invitation to present at this national conference, and look forward to continuing to provide insight on treatment options for child victims of human trafficking.”

Dr. Barbara Hernandez and Wendy Curtis are well versed in the area of providing mental health treatment and services to children who have been victims of human trafficking and sexual abuse. They will be presenting a workshop entitled, “Identification, Treatment Options and Best Practices for treating Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking Victims,” on Friday, January 17, 2014 from 3:00 to 4:30 PM.

CSCF’s long history of working with women and children in California who have been abused and neglected lends itself naturally to supporting statewide anti-human trafficking efforts. The State of California has been identified as a human trafficking destination by various national organizations and law enforcement agencies. It has been reported that children are at risk of being recruited by pimps, organized crime, and other predators who sexually exploit children, typically starting between the ages of 12 and 14. Unfortunately, CSCF works closely with families that have been impacted by violence, abuse, and poverty in their communities. These are some of the factors that can contribute to the continued lure of vulnerable youth into a life of sexual exploitation, and therefore CSCF is proactive in building a grassroots network of support to assist the youth in our care.

For this year’s national conference NWCAVE has partnered with Transitions and the Bilateral Safety Corridor Coalition to bring the event to Southern California. The conference will offer breakout sessions, networking receptions, keynote speakers, and author book signings.

The Jane Velez- Mitchell Journalism Award will also be presented on Saturday evening at the conference to a journalist having a voice against violence and a voice for women and children.

Before anyone is trafficked, other issues may be a factor and the conference explores these issues. So, although the conference title reflects “trafficking” the conference weekend encompasses the past, present and future of human trafficking and what we can do to collectively to prevent sexual exploitation in our communities.

New conference rates have just been introduced. For $125 you can attend all three days of the conference, attend all keynote presentations and have various workshops to select from. For more information on the upcoming conference the public is encouraged to visit www.SWCAT.org for registration information. The conference agenda is now available for viewing at  SWCAT 2014 Online Schedule.

Members of the media in need of additional information about NWCAVE and the South West Conference Against Trafficking are encouraged to contact Michelle Bart, President of NWCAVE at (360) 852-8019 or michelle@nwcave.org .

Crittenton Services for Children and Families of Southern California (CSCF) is a non-profit social services agency whose mission is to heal the wounds of abuse and neglect; strengthen families; and help troubled adolescents reach their full potential. Established and incorporated in 1966 Crittenton has a highly trained workforce operating 24 hours a day / 7 days a week providing comprehensive counseling, medical, and other support services to the clients in our care. We provide a full array of residential, in-home, community based, wraparound, mental health, foster care, and adoption services with a service planning area throughout Southern California that covers Orange, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside and San Diego Counties.

Visit www.crittentonsocal.org to learn more about our programs and connect with us on  Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Google+, and Flickr.

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Topics: Non-Profit, Social Services, Community Based Services, Residential Treatment Services, Youth Shelter Services, Wraparound Services, Mental Health Services, Human Trafficking, Commercial Sexually Exploited Children, Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking, Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking Victim Services, Commercial Sexually Exploited Children Program, Modern Day Slavery, CSEC, DMST

Geography: Los Angeles County, Calif., Orange County Calif., Fullerton, Calif., Pomona, Calif.