HomeMy WebLinkAboutContract 39592CI f Y SECRETAF;V
CONTRACT NO
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
Between
Catholic Charities of Fort Worth Inc.
and
The City of Fort Worth, by and through its Police Department
This memorandum of understanding between the Catholic Charities of Fort Worth Inc.
and the City of Fort Worth, by and through its Police Department (FWPD), outlines a
collaborative effort to address human trafficking in Tarrant County, Texas, demonstrating, at a
minimum, a close collaboration between the FWPD and Catholic Charities of Fort Worth Inc.
Thus, all parties to this memorandum of understanding agree to do the following:
1. Work together to combat the issue of human trafficking in Tarrant County;
2. Establish appropriate protocol which Catholic Charities of Fort Worth Inc. can
follow in informing the FWPD of possible victims; and
3. Build and/or enhance collaborative efforts between law enforcement and
trafficking victim service providers that leverage limited resources and
strengthens, but does not duplicate, existing human trafficking victim service
efforts, including:
a. Identifying and serving victims through a coordinated community
response; and
b. Promoting greater community public awareness and understanding of the
nature and scope of human trafficking.
OFFICIAL RECORD
CITY SECRETARY
FT. WORTH, TX
Page 1 of 5
Therefore, Catholic Charities of Fort Worth Inc. and the FWPD intend to work together
toward the mutual goal of combating human trafficking in Tarrant County. The goals of this
collaboration include training Catholic Charities of Fort Worth Inc. staff on indentifying human
trafficking victims and obtaining Catholic Charities of Fort Worth Inc.'s assistance in referring
possible victims of human trafficking to the FWPD. This collaboration between a local victim
service provider and the FWPD seeks to enhance the victim centered approach to rescuing
victims of severe forms of trafficking.
The role of the FWPD Human Trafficking Program under this agreement is to:
1. Provide task force coordination and support in raising awareness and capacity among
Fort Worth area law enforcement, community -based and faith based organizations,
public and private service providers, and other non -governmental organizations
through training, community forums, and the development of a regional protocol for
identifying and responding to human trafficking;
2. Foster collaboration between community -based organizations, members of at -risk
communities, Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs), and law enforcement
I
through specialized training and working group discussions;
3. Improve methods of communication between local and federal law enforcement, the
U.S. Attorneys Office, and victim service providers in the City of Fort Worth to
ensure a coordinated community response to human trafficking;
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4. Conduct training for law enforcement to enhance enforcement efforts. Training will
be provided to other law enforcement agencies, service providers and NGOs as
recommended by the North Texas Anti -Trafficking Taskforce (NTATTh and
5. Continue striving to meet program goals upon award of supplemental grant funds.
The FWPD Human Trafficking Unit also agrees to help connect possible victims to
Catholic Charities of Fort Worth Inc.'s services in the following ways:
1. Provide Catholic Charities of Fort Worth Inc. materials on emergency and long-term
services to possible victims; and
2. Receive training for their staff on services available to certified victims of trafficking,
interpretation facilitation and cultural competency in order to connect possible
victims to Catholic Charities of Fort Worth Inc.
The role of the Catholic Charities of Fort Worth Inc. is to:
1. Connect suspected trafficking victims to the FWPD's Human Trafficking Unit;
2. Assist in the development of mutually agreed upon protocols for responding to
victims of human trafficking in the Fort Worth region;
3. Participate in a collaborative approach with other task force members and
trafficking victim service providers to better identify and serve victims of human
trafficking; and
4. Provide comprehensive social services to rescued victims of human trafficking,
including, but not limited to, case management, employment assistance, language
assistance (both in English as a Second Language and Translation -Interpretation
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services), housing, immigration assistance, and other social services provided by
Catholic Charities.
Catholic Charities of Fort Worth Inc. also agrees to receive training, educational
materials, and ongoing technical assistance and consultations from task force members in areas
such as:
1. Immigration procedures and visas available under the Victims of Trafficking and
Violence Protection Act of 2000;
2. The civil law protections and remedies available to victims;
3. The cultural aspects of victim services and promoting cultural competence;
4. The federal and state human trafficking statutes; and
5. The identification of human trafficking victims.
Therefore, signatories agree to work cooperatively on the proposed project to join efforts
in meeting the immediate and long-term needs of trafficking victims to ensure effective
implementation and success of the program.
EFFECTIVE DATE: The terms of this MOU will become effective on the date it is signed by
the last party.
DURATION: The terms of this MOU will remain in effect as long as needed for the
benefit of the Participants, unless terminated according to the provisions
in this MOU.
MODIFICATION: This MOU may be modified upon the mutual written consent of both
Participants.
TERMINATION: Either Participant may terminate this MOU upon 60 days written notice
to the other Participant.
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We the undersigned, as authorized representatives of the named agency, do hereby
approve this document.
CITY OF FORT WORTH
Tom Higgins
Assistant City Manager
Date: l 9
w.
Jeffrey Halstead
Chief of Police
/P ZL
William Read
Deputy Chief
APPROVED AS TO FORM
AND LEGALITY:
ATTEST:
City Secretary
Catholic Charities of Fort Worth Inc.
H at er Reynolds
Chief Executive Officer
Date:
Conc..:ACt ,..:•shOriza�tio�
OFFICIAL RECORD
CITY SECRETARY
FT. WORTH, TX
Page 5 of 5
M&C Review
Page 1 of 2
Official site of the City of Fort Worth, Texas
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA
COUNCIL ACTION: Approved on 11/17/2009
DATE: 11/17/2009 REFERENCE G-16765 LOG NAME: 35HUMANTRAFFICKINGMOU
NO..
NON- PUBLIC
CODE: G TYPE: CONSENT HEARING: NO
SUBJECT: Authorize the Execution of a Memorandum of Understanding Between the City of Fort
Worth, the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas and Seven Other
Entities in Order to Continue Coordination with Members of the North Texas Anti -
Trafficking Task Force
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council authorize the City Manager to execute a Memorandum of
Understanding between the City of Fort Worth and the United States Attorney for the Northern District
of Texas, Mosaic Family Services, Inc., the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and
Customs Enforcement, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Dallas Division, All Church Home for
Children, Alliance for Children, Catholic Charities and SafeHaven of Tarrant County to continue
coordination with members of the North Texas Anti -Trafficking Task Force.
DISCUSSION:
The United States Department of Justice has awarded the City of Fort Worth supplemental funding,
authorized by M&C C-23803, to continue the Police Department's Human Trafficking Unit through
September 30, 2010. A requirement under the grant award is to revise and update all previously
executed Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Fort Worth and other participating
members of the North Texas Anti -Trafficking Task Force (NTATT). The NTATT is a collaboration
between governmental agencies and social service providers with the goal of maximizing efforts
aimed at eradicating human trafficking.
When the initial human trafficking grant award was accepted by the City in 2006, (authorized by M&C
C-21508) the City executed Memorandum of Understanding with the United States Attorney for the
Northern District of Texas and Mosaic Family Services, Inc., the Department of Homeland Security,
Immigration and Customs Enforcement, All Church Home for Children, Catholic Charities and
SafeHaven of Tarrant County. It is recommended that the City update the five Memorandum of
Understandings that had previously been signed and execute a new Memorandum of Understanding
with both the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Dallas Division, and Alliance for Children. Each
Memorandum of Understanding defines the role and responsibilities of the participating agencies and
remains in effect until terminated by either participant with 60 days written notice.
FISCAL INFORMATION/CERTIFICATION:
The Financial Management Services Director certifies that this action will have no material effect on
City funds.
TO Fund/Account/Centers FROM Fund/Account/Centers
FORT�O�TN
http://apps.cfwnet.org/council�acket/mc_review.asp?ID=12508&councildate=ll/17/2009 12/7/2009
M&C Review
Submitted for City Manager's Office b�
Tom Higgins (6192)
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Originating Department Head:
Additional Information Contact:
ATTACHMENTS
Jeffrey W. Halstead (4210)
Shannon Hawkins (4249)
http://apps. cfwnet.org/council�acket/mc_review. asp?ID=12508&councildate=ll /17/2009
12/7/2009