Evaluability Assessment of a Metropolitan Network Service Delivery Model to Connect Trafficked Persons with a Full Range of Victim Services

The goal of this study is to conduct a formative evaluation and evaluability assessment of a novel victim service delivery network model for trafficked survivors in the Greater Buffalo area. Toward this goal, NORC is partnering with the International Institute of Buffalo, a local and regional leader of enhanced comprehensive services for trafficked survivors, and the Buffalo City Court, an established trauma-informed Human Trafficking Intervention Court (HTIC), which itself collaborates with over two dozen local social service agencies.

This study will be the first to assess an integrated municipal network model inclusive of the role of a trauma-informed HTIC collaborating to meet survivors’ needs. As components of this formative research project, the research team will prepare a thorough description of the Greater Buffalo network service delivery model inclusive of a program logic model; an implementation guide for the Great Buffalo network approach to meeting the needs of trafficking survivors; assessment of data sources and access to data to inform evaluation network analyses at the individual and agency levels; and access to survivors for interviews regarding victim service acquisition and helpfulness. To gain this information, NORC will develop data collection tools and templates, consent procedures, interview guides, outcome measures, and an estimate of the burden on participants to conduct an outcome evaluation.

This two-year project will answer questions about multi-agency victim service delivery models that are presently unanswered, such as: 1) What is the structure of a municipal and regional network of victim service providers interacting with the criminal justice system to meet the needs of individuals who have been trafficked or are at high risk of trafficking?; 2) Is there a replicable implementation plan of this partnership network of victim service programs that can be documented for replication in other
municipalities?

The applicant hypothesizes that a replicable victim service delivery network model can be explicated through a programlogic model and implementation guide, and that agencies participating in this service- delivery model will be supportive of a subsequent outcome evaluation of the collaborative Greater Buffalo network. The research team will prepare a report of results for dissemination to practitioners in the field of victim services, for consideration by jurisdictions seeking to establish or improve the effective outcomes of local trauma-informed HTICs, and for NIJ consideration as the basis for the design and implementation of a full-scale outcome evaluation of this novel metropolitan network service delivery model.

"Note: This project contains a research and/or development component, as defined in applicable law," and complies with Part 200 Uniform Requirements - 2 CFR 200.210(a)(14). CA/NCF.