Long-Term Residential Recovery Programming for Female Survivors of Sexual Abuse, Exploitation, and Trafficking - Thousands of women across the United States are bravely fighting to overcome sexual exploitation, abuse, and trafficking, and the country is experiencing a shortage of safe, residential options that can provide the coordinated multidisciplinary care they need to increase health and well-being. City of Refuge proposes to draw on its proven history to increase access to safe, trauma-informed residential recovery services while improving survivor safety, stability, health, quality of life, and long-term independence. We will do this by operating a 24-hour long-term residential recovery program with 45 bedrooms across 6 homes in Georgia. Our multidisciplinary team of residential staff, case managers, licensed clinicians, and Certified Addictions Counselor will collaborate with City of Refuge staff in other key areas of workforce development and youth services as well as with healthcare, law enforcement, and community partners to deliver consistent, individualized support for residents to recover as they increase health and well-being. All services will be provided within our coordinated campus environment so that residents do not have to navigate multiple disconnected systems. This integrated approach will reduce barriers to participation, minimize re-traumatization, strengthen therapeutic relationships, and allows residents to focus on healing. Programming will serve extremely vulnerable adult female survivors of sexual exploitation, trafficking, and abuse, including mothers with children. Programming will accept referrals from Metro Atlanta and the state of Georgia, which consistently ranks among the top for incidence of trafficking, as well as from referral partners throughout the country serving survivors in desperate need of specialized, trauma-informed care. Key outcomes will include: • Survivors who previously lacked access to specialized residential recovery services will obtain stable housing and timely access to comprehensive trauma-informed care. • Residents will report improved emotional regulation, healthier coping strategies, increased engagement in healthcare and recovery services, stronger support systems, and increased confidence in their ability to maintain healthy, independent lives. • Residents will increase the skills, resources, and supports necessary to reduce vulnerability to future exploitation and maintain long-term safety and stability. • Program graduates will transition to stable housing with continued healthcare and behavioral health connections, income or employment resources, ongoing recovery supports, and individualized plans for sustained independence. • Residents will receive coordinated, evidence-informed, trauma-responsive services delivered by experienced staff within a stable residential environment that supports positive outcomes and continuous quality improvement.
