Florida State Legislature Awards $765,716 to United Way of Pasco County for Statewide Anti-Human Trafficking Efforts

For Immediate Release

June 13, 2024

Land O’ Lakes, FL – The United Way of Pasco County (UWPC) has been awarded $765,716 by the Florida State Legislature to continue its Fighting Human Trafficking program statewide. Human trafficking victims are forced into labor or commercial sex acts through force, fraud, or coercion. Often, they experience multiple relocations, layered trauma, loss of self-identity, and lack of autonomy. According to the Department of Homeland Security, millions of men, women, and children are trafficked worldwide each year, including in the United States. The National Human Trafficking Hotline ranks Florida third in the nation for the highest call volume, with Pasco/Greater Tampa ranking third in the state.

Since its inception in 2020, the Fighting Human Trafficking Program has provided crucial services to survivors of human trafficking. Program Manager Benjamin Ortberg has dedicated over 3,000 hours of case management to helping over 200 survivors across Greater Tampa and throughout the state. UWPC is one of the few United Ways in the world focusing on anti-human trafficking efforts, and is the only anti-trafficking agency in the state offering emergency housing assistance statewide.

The state funding will particularly enhance UWPC’s capacity to provide mental health therapy and emergency hotel stays. UWPC is the only organization in Florida to provide emergency hotel stays for survivors, offering them a quick haven away from persecutors, giving them a safe space to create an action plan with case workers. Mental health therapy is conducted by a clinically trained psychologist specializing in human trafficking victims experiencing multi-layered trauma. State funding will provide survivors with weekly therapy services and more one-on-one counseling.

Survivors are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and their paths to recovery vary. Through United Way’s program, survivors have access to one-on-one case management, giving them the opportunity to have regular check-ins, access services, and form a life path after one year in the program. The wrap-around services they receive include a coordinated safety plan, mental health therapy, legal services, advocacy, physical health care, substance abuse recovery, education, job placement, personal identification card replacement, and 24/7 access to the case manager.

“I would like to thank Governor DeSantis, State Senator Ed Hooper, Representative Brad Yeager, Shawn Foster of Sunshine Consulting Group, Pasco County Property Appraiser and Board Member Mike Wells, UWPC staff and Board Members, and The Office of Attorney General Ashley Moody for their tireless efforts in achieving this award. We also want to thank Senator Danny Burgess and the entire Pasco County Delegation for their support. Now, even more survivors will have access to critical resources through our program,” said Charles Anderson, President and CEO of UWPC.

“The state funding will enhance not only our Fighting Human Trafficking services, but will help tackle homelessness, mental health issues, and substance abuse that cross into human trafficking. Hitting more than one obstacle survivors face,” commented Benjamin Ortberg, Program Manager.

UWPC consistently achieves the highest rating of a 4-star review from Charity Navigator year after year which is a national review based on agency accountability and financial transparency. The Fighting Human Trafficking Program also holds the highest ranking as a vetted and trusted partner in the University of South Florida’s BRIGHT TiP Lab on Human Trafficking. UWPC undergoes continuous evaluation and is consistently recognized for its effectiveness and efficiency in casework.

Survivors and referring agencies seeking assistance may contact UWPC at 727-845-3030 or via email at bortberg@unitedwaypasco.org.

Media Contact

Laura Knight

727-247-2499

laurak@unitedwaypasco.org