Outreach to Sexually Exploited Minors
Alameda County Interagency Children’s Policy Council
The Alameda County Interagency Children’s Policy Council is managing a collaborative of agencies including Bay Area Women Against Rape (BAWAR), Covenant House, MISSSEY/Be a Mentor, and the Scotlan Center to conduct street outreach to and assess over 500 SEMs, , accompany the Oakland Police Department on planned prostitution “sweeps” at least one time per month, provide intensive outreach to 280 SEMs throughout Oakland, operate a drop-in facility at the Family Justice Center for SEMS, and provide 60 SEMs with case management. The collaborative also provides education and awareness training to young people, community groups, and public system partners about the issue of youth sexual exploitation.
For more information, please contact Barbara Loza-Muriera at (510) 618-3455.
Safe House Challenge Grant
A challenge grant has been issued to the Alameda County Health Care Services Agency for the purchase and renovation of a facility to be used as a Safe House for Sexually Exploited Minors (SEMs). The Safe House will provide SEMs with emergency shelter, health and mental health assessment, food and clothing for a 72 hour period. It will also provide professional and peer counseling. Ultimately, it will provide long term services to those SEMs who decide to permanently leave the street life. If enough additional funds are not raised to cover the full cost of purchasing and renovating a Safe House facility by June 30, 2009, the funding will be reallocated.
For more information, please contact Gary Thompson at (510) 618-3457.
