DPSS Annual Report 24_25 FLIP v16_compressed

Children’s Services Division

SPECIAL SECTION: Integrated Services Delivery

Trafficked Youth Find Safety and Support in the Promise Program When a youth experiencing commercial sexual exploitation is ready to reach out, experts emphasize someone must be there to answer. The Promise Program was built for that moment. The respon sive trauma informed intervention meets youth at their point of readiness and helps them find safety, healing and sta bility. Children’s Services and Olive Crest, a pri vate nonprofit community and behavior al health organization, partnered in Fis cal Year 2024/25 to open the county’s first grant-funded Transitional Housing Placement Program for Minors, known as THPPM, with a shared commitment to stability, safety and independence for foster youth impacted by or at risk of commercial sexual exploitation. The program provides immediate, special ized care to youth ages 16 to 18 who are ready for supported independent living. The model often motivates youth to re turn from runaway status and reengage with services.

Since opening in May 2025, the THPPM has served six youth, with two graduates so far. One youth, previously absent from care for more than a year due to traffick ing, began attending school, partici pating in therapy and receiving medical care. Another participant with a chronic history of running away graduated high school, enrolled in college and continues building essential life skills. She plans to transition to Extended Foster Care. The model is showing measurable success in reducing elopements and creating long term stability.

Olive Crest’s multidisciplinary team pro vides round-the-clock support through a live onsite manager, coaches, clini cal case managers, night monitors and youth care specialists. Each youth meets weekly with a case manager to work on goals across seven domains. Grounded in harm reduction and relational care, THPPM prioritizes trusted relationships and consistent access to medical, den tal, reproductive and mental health ser vices.

RIVERSIDE COUNTY ANTI-HUMAN TRAFFICKING CONFERENCE Children’s Services held its annual 2025 Riverside County Anti-Human Trafficking Conference at the Agua Caliente Casino in Rancho Mirage in January, National Human Trafficking Prevention Month. More than 200 partners attended the conference, which was cosponsored by the Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center and the Riverside County Coalition to End Human Trafficking. The annual training, whether held online or in-person, has become a central hub for stakeholder education and strategy in Riverside County’s fight to end human trafficking.

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Riverside County Department of Public Social Services | Annual Report 2024 - 2025