Safe Youth Zone Initiative Implementation

About the Program

Category: Criminal Justice and Public Safety (Best in Category)

Year: 2023

Los Angeles (LA) County launched the Safe Youth Zone (SYZ) Initiative to expand locations to create a countywide network of easily identifiable safe spaces for victims of child sex trafficking to seek refuge. The Department of Public Social Services (DPSS) became an active partner in this initiative due to a survey conducted with the youth that placed DPSS facilities in the top three locations they consider safe. In September 2022, DPSS launched the SYZ Initiative Implementation Project in every facility and established protocols to include having a designated SYZ Liaison at each location. The SYZ Liaisons and all office staff were trained and provided with procedures to ensure that any youth who enters a DPSS facility seeking assistance is taken to a secure location and is assessed for any needed resources, including medical care and law enforcement notification.