Dragonfly Safe Home: Long-Term Residential Stabilization Program for Adult Female Survivors of Human Trafficking and Their Dependent Children - Dragonfly Human Trafficking Victim Services requests funding through the Protecting Women and Girls through Founding and Replication of Existing Long-Term Safe Homes program to establish the Dragonfly Safe Home, a long-term residential program for adult female survivors of human trafficking and their dependent children in Oklahoma. Human trafficking survivors often escape exploitation with no safe place to live, limited financial resources, untreated physical and mental health needs, and significant trauma. While emergency shelters provide immediate safety, Oklahoma lacks specialized long-term residential programs that offer the time, stability, and comprehensive support survivors need to rebuild their lives. Without access to appropriate housing and services, many women remain at risk of homelessness, re-victimization, or returning to unsafe environments. The Dragonfly Safe Home will bridge the gap between crisis response and independent living by providing six to twelve months of safe housing combined with comprehensive, trauma-informed services. The program will gradually expand to serve eight to ten adult female survivors, plus their dependent children, at full capacity. Residents will receive intensive case management, trauma-focused mental health counseling, medical and behavioral healthcare coordination, legal advocacy, transportation, life-skills development, educational and employment support, parenting resources, children's services, and transition planning. Upon successful completion of the program, residents will transition into permanent housing, including Dragonfly's scattered-site housing program or other stable housing options. Dragonfly is uniquely positioned to implement this project as Oklahoma's only nonprofit certified by the Oklahoma Office of the Attorney General that serves exclusively survivors of human trafficking. Since 2016, Dragonfly has annually served hundreds of survivors and their family members through a comprehensive continuum of care that includes a 24-Hour Human Trafficking Helpline, field response, emergency assistance, housing support, case management, therapy, legal advocacy, and long-term recovery services. Dragonfly has secured a residential property for the Safe Home, completed a feasibility study confirming the statewide need for specialized residential services, and is certified to operate a residential facility. The primary remaining barrier is funding to launch and sustain operations. By establishing the Dragonfly Safe Home, this project will increase Oklahoma's capacity to provide safe, long-term residential placements for survivors of human trafficking, reduce the risk of re-victimization, strengthen family stability, and help women and their children build safe, independent lives free from exploitation.
