Board of Supervisors

There is currently no consolidated data being collected on Santa Cruz County human trafficking cases. This causes an understatement of the problem and makes it difficult for stakeholders to obtain additional funding. __ AGREE X PARTIALLY DISAGREE __ DISAGREE Response explanation (required for a response other than Agree): Data needs to be clearly defined in both scope and purpose. Crime data is collected and analyzed by each law enforcement agency in the county. The District Attorney’s Office maintains consolidated data on all cases submitted for filing, along with their dispositions. Crime data differs significantly from anecdotal information gathered by community-based organizations, and no analysis of these differences is currently being conducted. Prosecution of human trafficking cases is funded through the District Attorney’s budget, not through grant funding, and has not been affected by data reporting. Community-based organizations seeking grant funding from California Victim Compensation Board’s (CalVCB) current or future programs may benefit from additional data collection. Required Response from the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors Human Trafficking Due by September 29, 2025

The potential passage of AB 379 may provide grants for the District Attorney’s Office for the prosecution of traffickers and grants for community-based organizations for direct services and victim outreach. This could provide the resources necessary to ultimately reduce human trafficking and reduce the likelihood of victims returning to trafficking. X AGREE __ PARTIALLY DISAGREE __ DISAGREE Response explanation (required for a response other than Agree): Required Response from the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors Human Trafficking Due by September 29, 2025

The tri-county CSEC steering committee for the prevention of human trafficking has not met for a full year as of the publication of this report. Therefore, there is no active body that could potentially monitor trafficking cases across the tri-county area. __ AGREE X PARTIALLY DISAGREE __ DISAGREE Response explanation (required for a response other than Agree): The former child welfare directors dissolved the tri-county CSEC steering committee after establishing effective collaborative practices for monitoring and supporting youth at risk of, or who were victims of, trafficking. Since then, collaboration between the three counties has continued on an as-needed, case-by-case basis. The relationships and ongoing communication among tri-county directors and staff allow for effective monitoring. In Santa Cruz County, the AB 2083 System of Care committee— established in 2018 pursuant to Cal. Welf. & Inst. Code § 16521.6 and comprised of key child-serving agencies and local organizations—has assumed responsibility for ensuring coordinated, multi-disciplinary, and trauma-informed services for youth impacted by commercial sexual exploitation. Required Response from the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors Human Trafficking Due by September 29, 2025

The County Family & Child Services CSEC-required monthly multidisciplinary team meetings have not been held since November 2023, despite biennial reporting otherwise to the State Department of Social Services. Therefore, known cases of human trafficking have not been properly overseen. __ AGREE X PARTIALLY DISAGREE __ DISAGREE Response explanation (required for a response other than Agree): CSEC MDT meetings were not held between November 2023 and June 2025. The biennial report indicates that meetings occur on an emergency basis, through case consultations with the CSEC coordinator, and monthly when new referrals are received. Emergency and case consultation meetings have continued without disruption. Coordination for CSEC MDTs is also incorporated into the AB 2083 System of Care meetings, as outlined in the corresponding MOU. Known cases of human trafficking are overseen by each client’s Child & Family Team, with involvement from the assigned social worker and their supervisor. Required Response from the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors Human Trafficking Due by September 29, 2025

Very few businesses in Santa Cruz County are in compliance with SB 1193 signage requirements. This results in the reduction of community awareness of the problem and the likelihood that trafficking victims will be able to reach out for help. __ AGREE X PARTIALLY DISAGREE __ DISAGREE Response explanation (required for a response other than Agree): The Sheriff’s Office has not conducted an independent verification of the level of business compliance with SB 1193 (Civil Code section 52.6) signage requirements. Therefore, the Sheriff’s Office cannot confirm the accuracy of the compliance rate reported by the Grand Jury. Required Response from the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors Human Trafficking Due by September 29, 2025

Existing human trafficking signs at farm worker contractor sites are not readily accessible to farm workers and are in poor condition. This can result in farm workers being unaware of available resources and an inability to reach out for help. __ AGREE X PARTIALLY DISAGREE __ DISAGREE Response explanation (required for a response other than Agree): To the extent human trafficking signs are not readily accessible and in poor condition, the County agrees that this could result in farm workers being unaware of available resources and an inability to seek assistance. However, it is unclear how pervasive this problem is. Required Response from the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors Human Trafficking Due by September 29, 2025

The mix of County and local municipal ordinances regarding the licensing and inspection of massage businesses varies, possibly causing confusion and inconsistent enforcement of existing regulations. __ AGREE X PARTIALLY DISAGREE __ DISAGREE Response explanation (required for a response other than Agree): It is correct that local jurisdictions maintain different municipal ordinances regarding the licensing and inspection of massage businesses. The County cannot confirm whether, and to what extent, these differences result in confusion or inconsistent enforcement of applicable laws across jurisdictions. Required Response from the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors Human Trafficking Due by September 29, 2025

Calls to the National Human Trafficking Hotline on existing signs have unacceptably long wait times and can result in a lost opportunity to assist human trafficking victims. X AGREE __ PARTIALLY DISAGREE __ DISAGREE Response explanation (required for a response other than Agree): Required Response from the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors Human Trafficking Due by September 29, 2025

Local nonprofit organizations have 24/7 hotline numbers that are staffed, and calls can be answered immediately or within minutes, greatly increasing the likelihood of contacting victims and providing assistance in real time. X AGREE __ PARTIALLY DISAGREE __ DISAGREE Response explanation (required for a response other than Agree): Required Response from the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors Human Trafficking Due by September 29, 2025

Law enforcement task forces focused solely on human trafficking are very effective methods of detecting and preventing human trafficking activities. Such task forces could increase the rate of interdiction and the successful prosecution of human trafficking cases. X AGREE __ PARTIALLY DISAGREE __ DISAGREE Response explanation (required for a response other than Agree): The District Attorney’s Office has been collaborating with the Sheriff’s Office as they explore the creation of a regional task force dedicated to investigating sexual assaults and related crimes, including human trafficking. In addition, the District Attorney’s Office and the Sheriff’s Office will participate in quarterly County Sexual Assault Investigator meetings where cases such as human trafficking can be discussed. Required Response from the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors Human Trafficking Due by September 29, 2025