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HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutions - 2017.01.11 - 22737MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTION #17000 BY: Commissioner Michael Spisz, District #3, Commissioner Janet Jackson, District #21, and Commissioner Eileen KowaII, District #6 IN RE: BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS - ESTABLISHMENT OF AN OAKLAND COUNTY HUMAN TRAFFICKING TASK FORCE To the Oakland County Board of Commissioners Chairperson, Ladies and Gentlemen: WHEREAS even with the diligent efforts of federal, state and local law enforcement, human trafficking is the fastest growing and second largest criminal industry in the world today, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; and WHEREAS human trafficking is a crime against humanity that violates the most basic human rights and victims suffer a horrible injustice; and WHEREAS human trafficking victims are children - boys and girls, along with adults - men and women who are recruited, harbored, obtained, or exported through force, fraud or coercion for the purposes of sexual exploitation, forced labor, involuntary servitude, debt bondage and other methods of slavery; and WHEREAS as many as 100,000 to 300,000 American children - boys and girls, as young as 11 years old, are at risk of being trafficked for commercial sex in the United States each year; and WHEREAS the State of Michigan has the 11th largest call volume to the National Human Trafficking Resource Center hotline; and WHEREAS President Barack Obama continues to address the injustice of modern slavery and human trafficking and has proclaimed January 2017 as National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, culminating in the annual celebration of National Freedom Day on February 1; and WHEREAS Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette has identified human trafficking as a serious concern for law enforcement agencies, coordinating efforts for training, awareness and victim care; and WHEREAS the Human Trafficking Commission Act, Act 325 of 2014, established the Michigan Human Trafficking Commission for the prevention, intervention, and rehabilitation to the illegal act of human trafficking in the State; and WHEREAS on January 14, 2015 a majority of the new legislation from the 2014 Human Trafficking Legislative Package took effect to fight against the horrific crimes of human trafficking; and WHEREAS the Oakland County Board of Commissioners recognized the seriousness of human trafficking and sponsored a successful event in 2014 to provide human trafficking professional training and public awareness in Oakland County. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners continue to recognize the ongoing threat of human trafficking of vulnerable adults and children and the safety of the citizens of Oakland County. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Oakland Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the establishment of an Oakland County Human Trafficking Task Force to serve as the leading resource for Oakland County in the prevention, intervention, and rehabilitation related to the cruel and illegal act of human trafficking in all its forms, through education, advocacy and collaboration. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Oakland County Human Trafficking Task Force (OCHTTF) leadership will be appointed by the Chairman of the Board of Commissioners as follows: (1) Oakland County Commissioner to serve as Chairperson (1) Oakland County Commissioner to serve as Majority Vice Chairperson (1) Oakland County Commissioner to serve as Minority Vice Chairperson BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Chairperson of the Oakland County Human Trafficking Task Force will appoint a representative (member) from each of the following to establish the Core Group: (1) Representative from the Oakland County Sheriff's Office (1) Representative from the Oakland County Health and Human Services Department (1) Representative from the Oakland County Prosecutor's Office (1) Representative from the Oakland County Circuit Court - Family/Youth Assistance (1) Representative from Oakland Schools (1) Representative from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (1) Representative from a Victim Services Agency — CARE House BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the appointments and length of service to the Oakland County Human Trafficking Task Force will be at the discretion of the Chairperson and will not exceed the term of the County Commission. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED if a vacancy occurs on the Task Force, the Chairperson of the OCHTTF will appoint a representative to fill the vacancy. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that other interested individuals, community organizations and non-profits may be invited to offer assistance by the Chairperson and Vice Chairperson of the Oakland County Human Trafficking Task Force. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Oakland County Human Trafficking Task Force shall be authorized to do the following: (a) Identify sources of funding to combat human trafficking in Oakland County and make recommendations to appropriate agencies to access this funding when relevant. (b) Identify opportunities to provide information and training regarding human trafficking to law enforcement, judicial, social services, health care, educational and other appropriate agencies. (c) Collect and analyze information regarding human trafficking in Oakland County. (d) Improve the coordination of information sharing and the activities of agencies combatting human trafficking in Oakland County. (e) Review existing services and activities to combat human trafficking in Oakland County, make recommendations for improvement and provide informational materials to assist crime victims in accessing these programs, (f) Improve public awareness of the crime of human trafficking and preventative measures. (g) Make recommendations to the Board of Commissioners regarding potential changes in federal, state, county or local policies or laws that would enhance efforts to combat and prevent the crime of human trafficking. (h) Plan, coordinate and implement community events to expand public awareness, provide education and training, and the prevention of human trafficking. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the Board of Commissioners requests the cooperation of all related county agencies in the prevention, intervention, education and public awareness of human trafficking. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board of Commissioners authorizes the expenditure of up to $50,000 available in the General Fund Assigned Fund Balance titled Board of Commissioners Projects. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the expenditure of funds shall be forwarded on recommendation of the Chairman of the OCHTTF for approval by the Chairman of the Board of Commissioners for purposes of human trafficking prevention, intervention, education and public awareness. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Oakland County Clerk/Register of Deeds is requested to forward copies to Michigan's Attorney General Bill Schuette, the Michigan Human Trafficking Task Force, The Michigan Rescue and Reach Coalition, Sheriff Michael Bouchard, Oakland Schools, Oakland County Community Mental Health Authority, Common Ground Crisis Resource Center, Crossroads for Youth, Jewish Family Services, Youth Assistance for Oakland County and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Chairperson, we move the acliklion of the foregoing Resolution. issioner Jaryel Jacks-06, District #21 (Co n-4,14sioner Eileen KOViiall, District #6 Commissioner District # 044-1 Commissioner District # ZO Commissioner District # , Commissioner District # iL Commission District # Commissioner District # Commissioner Commissioner District # District # Commissioner Commissioner District # District # Commissioner Commissioner District # District # Commissioner Commissioner District # District # Commissioner Commissioner District # District # Commissioner Commissioner District # District # Commissioner Commissioner District # District # Resolution #17000 January 11, 2017 The Chairperson referred the resolution to the General Government Committee and the Finance Committee. There were no objections.