We also acknowledged that while resources existed in San Diego through federal funding for victims of international trafficking, there was no comprehensive treatment program for U.S.-born children who were also victims of trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation.

Lastly, we recognized the existence and prevalence of trafficking “circuits” wherein children are transported from San Diego to Las Vegas, Los Angeles and other major cities in the western region. Thus, we agreed to work closely with other counties, states and jurisdictions in order to help authorities interdict inter-state and intra-state child trafficking crimes.

The Network is led by a chair and a Steering Committee. Its strategic planning and meetings are facilitated by Dr. Haywood Martin and Dr. Cathie Martin, professional consultants with Organizational Improvement Systems (OIS). Acknowledging that child trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation are multifaceted issues, we realized that a comprehensive, community response would require addressing these issues on multiple fronts. In view of that, the ACTION Network Steering Committee established the following eight additional Committees:

• Research: Research the local scope and nature of at-risk and exploited children and the laws that affect them. Identify societal and systemic root causes that predispose children to vulnerability and exploitation

• Outreach & Health Promotion: Conduct street, agency and media outreach to increase awareness of exploited children and raise health concerns

• Social Service Provision: Develop a comprehensive, long term treatment program that will include undisclosed & optimal residential services, mental health counseling, case management services, alcohol & drug treatment, primary medical care, advocacy & legal services, on-site school, job training and health education

• Education & Training: Design and implement education and training programs to prevent child victimization, increase family and community awareness and create institutional change  

• Law Enforcement: Increase public safety by developing innovative methods for serving exploited children and their families 

• Advocacy & Public Policy Development: Advocate for local systems change and influence public policy development

• The Arts: Use a variety of the arts to promote awareness of child exploitation in schools and the community 

• Resource Development & Capacity Building: Identify resources and raise funds to sustain programs and further the goals of the ACTION Network

 

Points of Contact:

Manolo Guillen, Chair

ACTION Network

Office:  (619) 325-3527 ext. 209

Cell:      (619) 957-0791 

Email: mguillen@sdycs.org

 

Dr. Haywood Martin, Consultant/Facilitator

 

Dr. Cathie Martin, Consultant/Facilitator

Organization Improvement Systems (OIS)

Email: cathie@ois-martin.com

 

Virginia Van Meter, M.A.

Community Policing Consultants (CPC)

(760) 484-1620

Email: vmeter@sbcglobal.net