>> the president has said in many public forums that he would be willing to make reasonable changes to the health care law. republican marco rubio has presented a bill that basically says delay any penalties until people can foley and roll and until we know the website is fully operational. meanwhile the democratic jean chretien wrote a letter to the president yesterday saying she would like to see the enrollment deadline extended further so that people have more time. are these reasonable approach is the president is going to look like and might even support? >> the address slightly different issues. the fact is we are on the third week and second day of the six month process. from day one people have been able to get information and enroll. the process has been unexpectedly difficult and we are working to fix that everyday. but meanwhile people are getting the information they need and they are shopping and they are signing up and they are

enrolling. number two, when it comes to the individual mandate, i think i will say two things about proposals from republicans that said it as their mission to eliminate, decimate come sabotage obamacare from the beginning, who were willing to shut the government down because of their opposition to obamacare we have to take their proposals with a grain of salt. i don't think they are filled with sincerity to the sincere desire to improve the system. they've made it clear that their goal was to eliminate the system and thereby eliminate the possibility for millions of americans with pre-existing conditions or who don't have insurance the possibility of getting it. number two, when it comes to -- and we talked about this when they were shutting down the government on the president's refusal to pay ransom, obamacare ransom in exchange for getting the government open or in

exchange for raising the debt ceiling. when we talk about delaying the so-called individual mandate what does that mean concretely clacks it means that single mom who is a breast cancer survivor who has been anticipating the day that she would be able to get affordable health insurance which would give her the security of knowing that she would have the care she needed to stay alive for her family, you're telling them become -- wait another year. that's not acceptable and not going to happen. >> can you tell us how many people have been enrolled through the health care law? >> i said on numerous occasions we will be providing that information monthly as is the case with similar systems to do >> do you know how many people have been enrolled? >> you are talking about, again -- >> kathleen sebelius said the number is in the thousands. i guess i'm trying to confirm that you actually know the

number is and have just actively chosen not to communicate -- >> numbers in the thousands. the point is -- the secretary said we want to make sure the information is correct. we want to do it on a regular basis. we are talking about people signing up for state exchanges, and that in person, signing up by mail, over the phone and on healthcare.gov. so, it makes all the sense in the world to regularize the release of the information in a way that it has been done with previous similar programs. so that is what we are going to do. >> can i just say that on that point we have made clear from the beginning including before we encountered the problems that we have seen on the website that it has been our expectation because this has been the case in massachusetts and with other programs that when there was an open enrollment period, the disproportionate number of people who demonstrate an interest in the product shop and

don't buy until the end. the was the case in massachusetts and with a variety of other programs including federal programs that has always been our expectation that the majority of people would be enrolling closer to the deadline. one of the reasons we have this six month period is to provide people to shop and look at your options because this is a new deal for people and it is a special and an important deal for people. >> how much money is the tax surge costing us or will it cost us? >> sauna members of the tax surge our presidential innovation fellows that paid already and they've simply been assigned specifically to this task. there are others who are already government employees who are being assigned to the task and then there are those coming from the private sector being hired by contractors under existing contracts. >> finally we've spoken to a number of health care providers.

they will be the white house today and they are reporting a number of ten to 20 injured in settlements a day. one of them said there was a 50% error rate in the data that they are receiving, not the registration process that the data that they are receiving as long have the time and that information doesn't just come through the website it comes through the computer system in general. so when you call in or do it in person the same transmission system provides the language that refers to age 34. the data transmission sheet with information that is wrong. so given that, is it unfair to tell americans right now to keep trying if so much of the information being provided to insurance companies is presently wrong? >> the percentage of the error rate i can tell you and i mentioned this at the top that one of the problems that has been identified and that is being worked on is that the stage towards the end when information is provided to the insurer's and 834 is how it has

been identified and that is something that i expect will be discussed with the ceos of the insurers today and the team is working specifically on this challenge. now, it is a fair question. should americans to know that there are errors in the transmission of the area of the frustrated? yes. should they not decide to buy insurance? i think the answer is no. ..

we're going to work every day to make it as easy as possible, but the point is to provide the insurance that the americans have shown interest in it want so desperately. that's what we're going to focus on. so the answer is yes. for those who are frustrated, tell them we're working on the challenges here with a website. what we are doing is not just fixing a website. we are making sure they have insurance. i just want to say, guys, everybody in fact that we did about 45 minutes on the front row. which is why i mix it up sometimes. i'm doing it, april. i'm here. yes, sir. >> following up on what you said earlier about a code of conduct for people -- >> again, i'm not going to talk about the specific case. i know nothing, no details about it. the individual doesn't work you and i would refer you to him. >> tweets by people with

approved accounts about statements on behalf of the white house and the administration -- >> it is language attached to those accounts that says whatever it says. i think those are archived just like every e-mail that is sent. >> would it be proper for someone with an approved white house account to re-tweet an item from a satirical publication that makes fun of the president? >> you know, i -- it depends. [inaudible] >> again, i think it depends on the context. if you want to show me an example of it. i can tell you that as a spokesman, as someone who's out on the record everyday, there are things i say i wish i could have back. i'm sure that's true when i speak officially off almost everybody. there are things i say speaking officially but sometimes i wish i could have them back. they are not said eloquently or grammatically or maybe the tone is in right. and i think every spokesperson around the administration and on capitol hill would probably agree with me on that but that's

different when you're speaking as an official you have responsibilities. >> your counterpart in the state.gov said it's not correct that this person worked for the state department spent out have to take the question them. >> at one point he had been a state department employee but at some point to some he was made a national security council he and that's why they're handling the questions about the personal matter. >> as i think i said i don't a lot about this. our get what information we can provide. in general, we don't discuss personnel matters. >> just for clarification speeds i will find out what information i can. glad they're such intense interest. >> i have a help the question but at this time you come back and i will follow by e-mail. i want to yield my question to one of the visiting -- >> absolutely. please go ahead. [inaudible]

>> yet, no such talks have begun. what comes after 2014 if those have preceded speak with your talk about reconciliation talks between the afghan government and the taliban? we absolutely of that ultimate peace institute in afghanistan depends on reconciliation. and we have played a role in trying to facilitate that process. but it is a process that involves the two parties directly. we're going to continue to work on that with our partners in kabul. it's an important challenge because ultimately this needs to be resolved in that way. so i think the separate issue when you talk about 2014 has to do with our ongoing consultations and with the

afghan government about the bilateral security agreement. there was significant progress made result in those talks went secretary kerry was there, and i'm sure we'll have more information for you on that, as well as our decisions about continued support for afghanistan in the aftermath of 2014. >> is united states prepared to provide -- [inaudible] >> i'll have to take the question. i don't have an answer for that. yes, market. >> i just wanted to clarify, with the ceo, is what the president trying to do, to assure them that this isn't going to fall apart and the financing of extension will make this or is he soliciting help from them and try to figure how to improve the website? basically i know don't talk

about the problems, but how? what's the focus of? >> first of all, the technological, the technical work is being done by the teams working on the website. i think the interest comes themselvethemselve s, and i would obviously point to you -- pointed to what they said and what their positions are, have a great interest in the affordable care act, working effectively. and that by working effectively, therefore, increasing the number of insured americans in the private insurance market. so it's obviously an issue of great interest to them and one that we have consulted with them regularly on since the affordable care act was being drafted. so this is part of the process anand i think he can identify te senior officials who were in a meeting, the president is not scheduled to attend but certain the chief of staff, secretary, and something we you as an important part of this process. >> i have a question on immigration. you mentioned senators mccain and graham, but the action on an

action in the house, has he talked to house republicans about this or is this the kind of issue that his direct involvement would be counterproductive? >> last question is always an interesting one and sometimes you have to address republicans who sometimes feel that anything associated with them is not something they can support. but it gets at a bigger problem. having said that, the wisdom and the benefits of comprehensive immigration reform we believe supersede these kind of partisan differences. even in crass political terms i think it's fair to say it is in the interest in the republican party to address this problem. they said so themselves. key members of the party, key leaders and spokesmen, the speaker of the house today said it's an important issue and we

should address it. i think chairman ryan has said that, and others in the house. that their politics is something they have to take care of, and make judgments about themselves. what we know is that there is just an overwhelming abundance of information that argues in favor of passing comprehensive immigration reform. in other words, if you were a republican who want to argue why, you will vote yes for something like this, there's just a lot their for you when it comes to economic growth and job creation, when it comes to fairness for middle-class americans and accountability for all american business, when it comes to dramatically increased resources for border security, to build on the substantial improvements in border security we've already seen in the last five years. so we believe there are conservative reasons to do this,

and that there has been broad bipartisan support and will continue to be, and we hope the house takes action. >> as the president talked -- >> i get that like everything is always reduced whether or not the president of the united states is on the phone with or in speaking with speaker of the house. that's not how this -- or the chairman oliver. i think that's a narrow view of how this can come about. the answer is, he will, he has, and he is having conversations with republicans about comprehensive immigration reform. but if that's all it took we would've gotten there already because we've had many conversations with supporters of the, many conversations with those who were on the fence about it. ultimately, the hous house has t and we hope they will. jackie. >> just to follow up on that. in terms of the president talking to republicans, can you

rule out -- there was the number two kind of democrat, dick durbin, said on his facebook page that someone in recent exchange with the president said he can't even stand a member of congress, that he can't even stand to look at the president. can you say whether that happens or -- >> i will say this, it did not happen. [inaudible] >> i don't know. my understanding is that again, from participants in the meeting that didn't happen. [inaudible] >> not that i'm aware of, jackie. >> you said you don't want to talk about personal matters when it comes to the firing, but most of the tweets that have been reported are really not very substantive. they are rather sophomoric and take shots at people on personal levels, affairs and such, a lot of that. either e-mails that the white

house saw that were substantive that the goals are gave out information? this is a person got fired after all. >> i would address your question to the individual who doesn't work here, and -- anymore. and i just don't have any more information for you on that person no matter. >> can you rule out whether those in the of a national security -- >> i just don't have any information on that to provide. >> in the upcoming budget talks,. [inaudible] just in terms of the sequester over the next few years that are attempts that are equally divided between revenue? is that a principal the white house is adhering to speak with our approach has always been that wiccans are broader budget deal we need to apply balance, that reducing the deficit further, building on the progress that's been made has allowed us to cut the deficit in half since the president took

office required. >> requires a balanced approach. there has always been for a number of years now talk of a grand bargain a 10 year deal, smaller deals your and so it's hard for me to negotiate from here speculatively about what a smaller deal would look like. but balance is a fun and the principal the president has not don't espouse the put on paper in detail proposals. so we believe it has long been in the interests of both parties to deal with the arbitrary cuts at the sequester represents. it's done harm as jason mentioned yesterday, according to cbo, 60,000 jobs have not been created per month because of the sequester. certainly something we're interested in addressing. the president's budget eliminate the sequester and then reduced the deficit beyond what the sequester reduced it. so by addressing our budget challenges in a very focused

way, making increased investment in key areas while eliminating or reducing programs that are not working effectively or don't work at all. and approaching the issue of deficit reduction and a balanced way. so that's a broad way of saying that's the principle and approach we take into. we are hopeful that the conference makes progress as they try to reconcile the senate and house budget. and we're interested in and the president made clear a budget delivers this country afford that helps create jobs, helps it grow faster. those of the parties we are focused on. we have been focu focused on det reduction and we've made a lot of progress. there's more to do but we have to do it in a balanced way. >> again, i think when you talk about a broad view, the nature of which -- i'm not going to negotiate like hypothetical smaller deals. weddington is that a broad larger budget agreement, the

kind envisioned by the president in his budget would have to be balanced, yes. april. >> three questions. >> and then the voice of america. >> three questions. >> three questions? >> on her question, is there speak i have to fly out in a few minutes. i have a pair teacher covers, but go ahead. bill. >> all right. anyway, moving on. on the tracking issue, is there an integrated approach at all on tracking with states and insurance companies right now to track how many people have enrolled at this point? >> look at, i think we are gathering information. we're going to release specific information about enrollment figures on a monthly basis beginning in november. look back to october. and i just don't, i don't have specific information to write to you about the we'll do this in a way that has been traditionally

done in other programs. what i can tell you as i mentioned topeka is we've always come even predating the problems with the website, anticipated that in keeping with what we've seen in other programs of similar nature that, even in keeping with open enrollment periods as you see in insurance lands that you guys probably sign up for every year, a lot of people do a lot of they are and rolling at the very end while the shop earlier. that's the kind of thing we expect to see but we will be providing information monthly. >> has the white house in any way changed guidelines for staffers or administration officials in how it relates to social media networks? many people have their own social media on their own private and and have a government one. >> i have not seen anything new on that. >> a revamping of gun control from the present anytime soon

since the shutdown is over? spent i appreciate the question. this is an issue that the president believes we can' can d should make progress on in a bipartisan way that achieves some comprehensive -- not comprehensive -- some commonsense steps towards reducing gun violence. that do not in any way infringe upon our second amendment rights, which the president supports. so he is always looking at ways either through congress or through his executive authority to chip away at this program. i do have anything to announce but it certainly something he is focused on. april, is that your third? >> i'm done. >> tommy, and then i've got to run. >> first question is about the we can have ago there was a protest in front of the white house in which a confederate flag was flown, and then the last couple of days there was a

fundraiser with a burning cross, compared to tea party to the clan. i am one if the president is aware of any of these incidents? >> i haven't spoken to the president about that i don't have a reaction spent this morning on cnn, reporting on the presidential race, her comment was president obama's -- they don't like using anything about them and they're not afraid to use whatever means they have to stop you, including threatening your job. to your knowledge -- spent i don't even know. who said that? >> carol costello. anyone here? >> not that i'm aware of or have ever heard of. yes, sir. >> i don't know if you can do this justice in a few minutes, but on iran, there's still a huge space between what secretary of state said today about undeniably clear guarantee from a rant about peaceful purposes and what netanyahu saying about the need to remove

centrifuges, to get rid of capability, and to remove what israel calls, he calls the military nuclear program. can you talk a little bit about what these are for bridging the kind o of the difference between -- >> we work very closely with our israeli counterparts in assessing the iranian program and in judging where they are and what steps need to be made to assure the international community that they have given up their nuclear weapons ambitions. and i think two things are in this bill. one is, we are and we are with potential progress was there through diplomacy because of the comprehensive set of sanctions that was engineered by the united states and our partners. that has put pressure on iran but what is also true is that we will not provide relief of sanctions until we see concrete, transparent steps by iran

towards reaching that point where they can verifiably demonstrate to the world that they are not pursuing nuclear weapons. so i think it is the president stated policy that we will not accept iran with a nuclear weapon. that's a position we share with many countries. thanks. [inaudible conversations] >> we will take you from the white house up to capitol hill now where we are waiting for house ways and means subcommittee to get under way. they're taking a look at the link between foster care youth and sex trafficking, and what steps the child welfare system is taking to stem the risk of these abuses. procedural vote just wrapped up a couple of minutes ago in the house. we expect members of the committee to make their way over there and this and should get started very shortly. live coverage will be on

c-span2. and while we wait let's bring you some house republican leaders who came out earlier today to talk with reporters about their criticism of the health care law. [inaudible conversations] >> good morning, everyone. i had another job support yesterday, another disappointing jobs report. this economy is not creating jobs that the american people are looking for. their wages are stagnant, and part of the problem is that we've got the whole threat of obamacare continuing to hang over our economy like a wet

blanket. employers scared to death in terms of what they have to and what they don't have to do. afraid to add new employees. and when you look at the problems of obamacare, all the focus here lately has been on the website. but i would argue that the problems go much further than that. how about report over the last couple of days of the hundreds of thousands of americans who are finding out that they're going to lose their coverage? because the plans they have to they don't qualify under obamacare. and when you begin to look at these hundreds of thousands of people i think what you will see at the end of october are more americans are going to lose their health insurance that are going to sign up at these exchanges. this is a very serious problem it is affecting our economy and it's affecting the ability of the american people to find the jobs that will help them take care of themselves and their

families. >> good morning. the rollout of obamacare is nothing short of a debacle. and the american people are now fearful of their health care. i mean, downright scared about what's going to happen with their health care next year. all we are hearing from the administration really is, is really unsatisfactory in terms of answers to the many, many unanswered questions. yes, we all know the website doesn't work and the administration keeps saying, well, just to the subscribers who want to go on, say go and try again. again, there are so many unanswered questions that that is adding to the fear of so many american people. and what's not helping is the lack of transparency on the part of this administration. this morning, i know that hhs officials will be of the briefing the democratic caucus. no intention initially to say

that they're going to brief republicans on what's going on. last night we learned that federal officials asked insurers not to release numbers for the exchanges in terms of sign that. we still don't know these enrollment numbers. hhs is blocking third party verified traffic data. this is not transparency. this is adding to the confusion surrounded the rollout of obamacare. in a couple of months the obamacare mandate tax is going to take an, and many americans are going to have to pay as much as 1% of their income to the federal government if they don't sign up for obamacare. so how is that fair? with so many unanswered questions and the problems arising around his rollout, it doesn't make any sense to impose this 1% mandate tax to the american people. and that's why we republicans remain committed to dealing that mandate tax of obamacare so that

finally we can get the answers to so many people are seeking, and we can try and reassure millions of americans who are growing into fear about what this all means for the health care. >> it's another day and a new glitch for obama to roll it. only 12% of americans say it's going well. worthen has believe it is not. but as you listen to the president did his press conference that we will handle it, we will fix it, just ranks back to the moment when he was proposing obamacare and said if you had to health care and you liked it, you could keep it. it's not a glitch with the american citizenry receive a letter that says the current health care, they will no longer have it. many of the constituents that i have that i cannot to see, frustration that it is not fair, that they don't have the health care that they can keep it and if they go at the website, they cannot see what they can have

now. so when you look back and you look at the arguments, the complaints, the transparency and accountability that we've asked for, none of that goes way. i think the focus will now be on what is the accountability in the process? >> moms, dads, seniors, young people continue to struggle all across this country, whether it is those that are out of work trying to find a job and the economy that continues to struggle, or those that are trying to get health insurance or losing their health insurance or having trouble getting their health insurance. as leaders in congress our commitment is to continue to work on issues that are going to create jobs that will create opportunities it can also ensure that people t do have access to quality and affordable health care. the concerns are coming in -- >> to my microphone on. that mitel. welcome to today's hearing. -- that might help. welcome to daisy's hearing.

we will start with my opening statement and the staff is prepared sort of some of what i've experienced in my life. they have about two pages of my expenses, the sheriff and the detective working with people on the street. i think they're kind of put me in a box to shorten up my statement. so going to read from that because if i don't read from and i will probably get off into all kinds of different examples and stories, and they could take us a while. so i think most people know that before being elected to congress i spent 32 years working in law enforcement in king county. and that became the sheriff in 1997, and left in january 2005 to come to congress. i saw firsthand the tragedies

that children face when they are not cared for by loving parents. it was in the sheriff's office where i first witnessed the horrors of child sex trafficking, and it convinced me that we needed to do more to protect our youth at risk of abuse. and in late summer 1982, i began a 20 year journey that would focus my attention on this issue. like nothing else ever could. on august 12, 1982, i was called to investigate the death of a young woman whose body was found in the green river just south of seattle in suburban kid washington. of course, i did not then that that was the beginning of 20 years. i thought i was investigating one murder or three days later i

received a call about two more bodies being found in the river. and as i was investigating that crime scene, i found a third body on the banks of the river. finding these victims began our two decade hunt for a man who became known as the green river killer who, once caught, confessed to killing more than 70 young women who had been involved in the sex trade. of the 48 known victims of the green river killer, at least 17 were minors, children have been abused or neglected, would run away from home, who had been victimized and ultimately killed. he pled guilty to 49 murders and like you said, probably killed

70-80. the sad part about this story is, families who will never see their daughters again, lives lost. of course, people recognize that, but the community didn't see these children. driving from home to work, from work to home. they were invisible. so this issue is not just an abstract problem from a faraway place for me. it's personal. as chairman, i focused on how we can improve the child welfare system and help children in foster care lead successful lives. one of the most devastating examples of old ability of kids in foster care is when they become victims of sex trafficking. in 2010 officials in los angeles

reported that 59% of juveniles arrested for prostitution were in foster care. of children reporting -- reported missing to national center for missing and exploited children to were also likely sex trafficking victims, 60% were in foster care or group homes when they ran away. research cited by the u.s. department of health and human services shows the majority of sex traffic youth experience sexual abuse growing up. victims of sexual abuse are 28 times more likely to be involved in prostitution than children have suffered such abuse. i think everybody in this room recognizes, and i hope people across america recognize, we cannot allow this to continue. we owe it to these children to ensure our nation's foster care system does all it can to protect them so that they can

live a safe and happy and successful lives. for too many kids in foster care, we are not living up to that promise. that's what the topic of today's hearing is so critical to me. and what i know it's important to each of our witnesses today. and i look forward to hearing from each of the witnesses in both panels. and i yield to mr. dog and for his opening statement. >> thank you so much, mr. chairman. we are aware that nearly 150 years ago our nation and all forms of slavery to the passage of the 13th amendment. but the protection of that promise has alluded too many children who are enslaved effectively by really cruel masters. while there is not any one piece of legislation that will stop the sex trafficking of children, we can't allow complacency to stop us an from doing everythinn

our power to put a stop to this. our first task in the subcommittee, given our jurisdiction, is to ensure that child welfare system doesn't become a pipeline for prostitution. the abuse and neglect that children suffer before coming into foster care already make them prime targets for those who prey on children. a sense of isolation that often comes when children are removed from their homes makes an even more vulnerable. and when children run away from home, the risk grows further still. without the protection of foster care system, abused and neglected children would be even more at the mercy of predators and sex traffickers. of the system needs to become more cognizant of problems and more forceful in developing strategies to stop it. i know one survey that was conducted by the los angeles temptation department revealing that a majority of the juveniles arrested on prostitution were in the foster care system already, and that office set off an alarm for us.

some policies are generally -- generally helped foster children such as better connecting them with relatives and helping him lead more normal lives. are informed. this subcommittee has held hearings on these issues. and yesterday we passed bipartisan legislation to better promote the adoption of children in foster care. i expect that we'l we will heart the need for increased housing options for the victims of trafficking, improved coordination and collaboration among all that there is agencies and programs that come into contact with children, and that we need to ensure that children who are trafficked are not treated like criminals but victims that they truly are. in texas, we have a number of champions have worked on this. i look forward to hearing from ashley harris who has come up from texas with texans care for children. who has worked with state senator and other members of our

legislature to deal with this problem at the state level. i particularly look forward to hearing from all of our colleagues on their recommendations for what legislative initiatives we can take and how we can work collaboratively on a bipartisan basis to address this truly serious problem. i yield back. >> thank you, mr. doggett. without objection from each member will have the opportunity to spend a written statement and have it included in the record. i want to remind our witnesses pleased to limit their oral testimony to five minutes. however, without objection all the written testimony will be made a part of the permanent record. on our first panel this afternoon will be hearing from several of her own colleagues as mr. doggett said, and it sometimes unusual in the subcommittee hearing to have the interest of a number of members, so it's really an honor to have

the four of you here. we'll be hearing from senator hatch via a video presentation later on. so the first panel is, today is the honorable erik paulsen of minnesota who, by the way, was acting chairman of this subcommittee last year. honorable louise slaughter of new york, honorable ted poe of texas, the honorable karen bass of california and as i mentioned, senator hatch of utah will present later. mr. paulsen, you're recognized for five minutes. >> thank you, mr. chairman and ranking member doggett. i want to thank you for holding this hearing today and bring it like an issue that is all too often ignored. very easy and comfortable to think that sex trafficking happens only outside the united states, but the truth is that the exploitation of our children happens every day all across the country, and even in her own backyards. i recently visited breaking free which is a minnesota organization run by a survivor of trafficking this mission is

to educate and provide services to women and girls who have been the victims of abuse and commercial sex exportation. and while there i had the opportunity to meet with victims and to hear their stories. breaking free has been said that are exclusively used for child traffickitrafficki ng victims. i was shocked to learn, mr. chairman, that these beds are full almost every night and they're looking for additional capacity. the department of justice reports that between 2008-2010, 83% of sex trafficking victims found within the united states or u.s. citizens and the average age of the girls entry into prostitutprostitut ion or sex trafficking is 12-14. that's the seventh grade. sadly, the foster care system is rife with opportunities for predators to exploit these young girls. recently, "chicago tribune" reported how good facilities are a breeding ground for the recruitment of children into sex trafficking. saying quote, because many girls

in foster care feel starved for a sense of family, experts say it is not uncommon to greengrocer prostitution by giving them attention and gifts. they often let the girls think that dating and even use -- just one foster child to recruit others. youth have been involved in the foster care system are also more likely to become runaways or to become homeless at an early age. minneapolis police sergeant snyder who works full-time fighting his prostitution and trafficking reports, there is a very strong connection between runaways and homeless youth and sex trafficking victims. he says all of the trafficking victims are part of that population. youth to age out of the foster care system often have little or no income support, limited housing options and are at high risk to end up out on the streets. you that live in residential or institutional facilities often become homeless upon discharge. sadly, the consequences for these children are dire.

girls who become victims of sex trafficking face a range of both physical and mental maladies including reproductive health issues, pain, weight loss, the oppression, ptsd, anxiety disorders, and suicidal thoughts. when i talk to experts, over and over again they say there's a general lack of understanding of the problems and, therefore, the victims are not getting the proper services and care they need. earlier this week i met with iran's a county attorney and he said just like domestic violence, decades ago, child sex trafficking is not getting the attention that it needs. that's not a strong awareness of the trafficking problem. people don't know that it is going on and, therefore, they don't know what to look for. he went on to say energy prevent youth from becoming victims of sex trafficking, we need better information as to what is happening, where, and again. we need to identify trends and can help fill in the gaps. that's what earlier i introduced

bipartisan legislation along with representative slaughter to provide reliable data, particularly as it relates to children and the child welfare system. it takes an important first step by requiring that each state's foster care and adoption assistance plan contains a description of the specific measures taken to provide services to children who are the victims of sex trafficking. it also requires children in welfare agency to notify the proper authority when children are missing either from home or from childcare institution. this will all go the fbi and where we can keep a database. this bill will also classify that these victims that they are just that, they are victims, not criminals which are sometimes labeled today. we need to make of the victims are able to come forward without the fear of prosecution and given the proper care and protection that they're just not thrown at you. this is an issue people don't always like to talk about. while we read stories about going on in foreign countries, the reality is it's happening right in our backyard.

but by pooling our resources and gathering ideas and intelligence from as many sources as we can, we can start to fight back and save the lives of these innocent youth. this legislation has ideas from law-enforcement and nonprofit organizations that understand the problem. and also they know very real what the practical ways are to combat it. i.c.e. agent appreciate the opportunity to testify and i commend the committee for bringing attention to this very important topic. >> thank you, mr. paulsen. just take a moment to point out, for people who might be watching c-span and those in the audience, this is one of those two moments where you see some true bipartisanship. so we have some democrats and republicans here testifying today. so it's an honor to have these -- ms. slaughter. you're recognized for five minutes. >> their we have the. thank you very much, mr. chairman. i'm very pleased to be here and decided to cosponsor this with mr. paulsen.

congressman cole and i have worked on similar issues before, and certainly to be here with my colleague karen bass. this is the most important issue to all of us. and i thank you for holding this hearing and giving me the opportunity to speak. we've all said so many times and we believe in all our hearts that the children in this country are our most important resource. all of us who are parents and grandparents know of the lengths we go to to protect our children from harm. we wish that every child had the opportunity to grow up in a family that loved and protected them. but, unfortunately, that's not the case. as a result as we're here today, 400,000 children are in the foster care system. there have been great improvements in recent years in terms of reducing the numbers of children in foster care. increasing the number of children who find permanent and loving homes. we are sure to acknowledge and be proud advances that have been made, particularly the focus on

supporting youth as they age out of the system. but the fact of the matter is that a majority of foster care parents are loving and supporting individuals who open the hearts and their homes. foster care parents can rightly be described as the better angels among us, and they deserve to be recognized for the incredible turns they make in the world every day. but far too many children in foster care system don't have that benefit. but even for those incredible champions protecting young people in foster care and the threats from the outside world is a very big challenge. statistics tell us that foster children are exceptionally vulnerable than those who seek to exploit children but as congressman paulsen has told us. national center for missing and exploited children tells of 60% of runaways who are victims of sex trafficking were at one time in the custody of social services or in foster care. in my home state of new york,

85% of the trafficking victims have prior child welfare involvement. to say that i'm completely appalled and embarrassed by that number is an understatement. while specific covers very throughout the country, they all tell us that much more needs to be done. and i am proud to be one of the cosponsors of h.r. 2744, the child sex trafficking data and response act sponsored by my colleague, mr. poe. this bill, i know you've heard it but you can't get too much because this is such an important bill. it must be addressed if we're going to reduce the incidence of sex trafficking and the united states, which is growing at a terrible rates. first, it identifies an dr. ochoa within the welfare system and are victims of sex trafficking. and it trains the child protective service workers to identify and provide the

services needed to victims of sex trafficking. coordinates efforts o for state law enforcement, juvenile justice and social services, and reports the number of children known or suspected to be the victims of trafficking each year. all of these approaches are good and necessary but that part of this bill that is the primary importance to me is that the child abuse prevention and treatment act will be amended to require a child victims of sex trafficking will now be considered victims of abuses and neglect, making them eligible to receive services within the child welfare system. the idea that a young person rescued from a sex trafficking operation could be considered and offender within the juvenile justice system is shocking to me, and to you as well unsure. these are victims -- the children have been preyed upon by those who take advantage of the situation that fear and

loneliness that comes from being in the foster care system to use them to their own advantage and profit. those children deserve help and substantial healing and wholeness, not a criminal record. i've worked for many years on issues of domestic violence and sexual assault in the military. in 1994, i drafted the original violence against women act with my good friend, former representative patricia schroeder. in recent years, numerous protections into law that provide our service men and women with the resources, support and agencies to seek justice in cases of sexual assault and to successfully prevent cases of sexual assault before they occur. in the process i watched women go from victims to survivors after receiving services at the agency funded by the legislation under domestic violence have been able to offer. we watch the incidence of domestic violence fall by 67% since the bill was passed. i believe we will see the same kind of impact from addressing

sex trafficking among our foster youth. the same millions of victims of domestic violence have been brought out of the shadows and been given a chance to stand because of the violence against women act. i believe that this legislation we are talking about today and other ideas being considered before this committee are the path forward for these young people who deserve all the assistance that we can provide. thank you very much, mr. chairman, mr. doggett, members of the committee for your time and your consideration today. >> thank you for all your hard work and concern in this issue, and the team that you have with you there at the witness table. mr. poe, who i call judge, and she calls me sheriff, he's done a lot of work in this area and i'm so pleased to have the judge here. judge, you're recognized for five minutes.

[inaudible] >> for inviting me to testify on this important issue. as you mentioned, my former life i spent 22 years in the criminal courthouse in houston and ages before that as a prosecutor. that's where first heard about you, sheriff. the whole country appreciates your relentless work on the green river murders. even to this day. child abusers, sex predators are the worst criminals in our society. too often the justice system unfortunately ignores the victim of this crime. when i first came to congress, congressman founded the victims right caucus. it is totally focused on combating human trafficking. this topic is particularly of interest to me because my hometown of houston, texas, is unfortunately a hub of this despicable crime of human trafficking. many are not aware that modern-day slavery occurs rioted in the united states, as ranking

member doggett has mentioned. the problem is very real, especially among vulnerable youth in the child welfare system. this is an industry which is given to me by shared her hope interest. after family best wishes placed in foster care at the age of three. she was shuffled from home don't until the age of 12 when she was finally adopted by a family. anna began hanging out at the wrong place, corner store, and a family of course did not know that she was there. she met a person who she thought she could trust. little did she know the person she met at the corner store was not a friend at all. one day she got into a fight with her parents, she called the one friend that she thought she had who picked her up but she did know that this call would change her life forever. this individual was actually a sex trafficker. he was violent but he beat anna. he sold her body. the emotional, physical and sexual abuse continued for a long time.

he threatened to kill her family if she ever called the police. he also told her that if the police after founder, they would arrest her. and that's exactly what happened. she was arrested and charged with prostitution. she was treated as a criminal, but she was a victim of crime. anna became convinced her family didn't want her in a longer and she felt helpless and scared. this is a typical situation, unfortunately, for girls like this. after four years of this abuse, she escaped and was reunited with her family. and through strength and resilient spirit, with the help of her mother, anna vowed to make a difference one victim at a time. national runs a ministry for sex trafficking survivors and runs an outraged survivor for at-risk youth. unfortunately, anna's story is not that unique in this country. discards from the foster care system stayed with her and made her vulnerable. many foster youth have expressed neglect, physical, emotional, and even sexual abuse.

these factors make the children more susceptible to traffic. the child welfare system has many problems and one major challenge is not only to put a roof over the child's head, but to instill some values like self-worth into all of these children. we must remember that child sex predators when they commit these crimes against our youth are trying to steal the soul of the victim when they commit sexual assault. i will soon introduce the justice for victims traffic act along with congressman maloney from new york. this companion will also be offered in the senate by senator cornyn and widen. this bill would create a grant program to help state and local governments develop and implement comprehensive victim centered programs. it creates a domestic trafficking victims fund at the treasury, finest through the font on person convicted of human trafficking and child exploitation which can be used

to fund support programs for victims. criminals, sheriff, will liberate pay for the crime the system that is created, included in still our number of other provisions to ensure victims receive justice and traffickers and buyers are prosecuted. mr. chairman, across this country, 5000 shelters for animals. i've got one in my three donations from animal shelter. i love those places. but in the whole country, there are only 226 beds for minors sex trafficking victims. we can do a lot better. that justice for victims act that i introduced come and i've already introduced, this bill will help combating the trafficking by targeting criminals who purchase sexual acts and ensuring they are prosecuted just like the trafficker. the bill goes after the so-called anonymous buyer of sex trafficking. it targets the demand to stop the sale of our children.

the days of boys being boys in this country are over when it comes to exploitation of our children. in the long arm of the law needs to go after these consumers. i commend you for holding this hearing today. that's just the way it is. [laughter] now you know why i call him judge. thank you, mr. poe. ms. bass has been passionate on this issue. she and i have had a number of discussion and have attended some events together, speaking out and really appreciate your presence here. you are recognized for five minutes. >> thank you. thank you very much for holding this hearing, chairman reichert, and ranking member doggett, for providing me the opportunity to testify today but also your leadership today as well as yesterday on the bill that we passed in a bipartisan basis yesterday on the floor. as the co-chair of the congressional caucus on foster youth i'm very appreciative of their ongoing commitment to

improving outcomes for foster youth and families. as i've traveled throughout the country as part of the foster youth caucus national listening to her, it's been devastating to hear the children involved in the child welfare system, particularly those that expense multiple placements are especially susceptible to coercion and manipulation by traffickers. in los angeles there's a specialized collaborative courthouse. this court is designed to serve commercially exploited youth when they report that 80% of the girls have been previously involved in the child welfare system. increasingly in the last angel's area, and other large cities, gangs are engaging in commercial sexual exploitation, selling girls in addition to drugs and guns.

of one of the most trafficked areas. and so the child welfare agency wasn't even aware of it. to address the gap, i have introduced hr1732 the -- along with my colleague and co-chair of the congressional caucus on foster youth representative tom. primarily the bill would help establish local plans to combat trafficking as well as ensuring national data qek in several important ways. the bill requires child welfare agencies to report missing,

abducted, or trafficked youth to law enforcement within 72 hours for entry to the national crime information data base. oftentimes they are viewed as runways. the bill amends the child abuse protection and treatment act to ensure states develop comprehensive multiagency plan to identify and provide services to all victim of traffics. it could be inclusive of other foster youth. in addition to local planning and data collection the bill direct department -- outlines the prevalence and trends of trafficking among child welfare youth both state by state and nationwide. develop a proposal to collect annual data from state agencies and proposing an ongoing -- finally, the strengthening child

welfare response to trafficking act direct the department of hhs hhs develop and publish guidelines to assist them and serving youth who are victims of trafficking and preventing the exploitation of risk of becoming victims. there is room for additional resources and specific tools. as outlined it would excite example, training material, and tools, protocol for effective cross system collaboration, best practices related to residential placement, recommendations for documentation and data collection. something else that needs to be addressed on a level in the girls who have been involved in the system who have criminal records and tushed their life around and now they have need to have the records expunged. we understand moving forward they should never have been arrested for soliciting to begin

with. in conclusion, we cannot continue to fail our nation's children. as federal legislators we have a tremendous opportunity to ensure that local plans to prevent exploitation are in place as well as collect the necessary national data to inform future federal strategies. while many of the social services needed to properly serve trafficked youth may require a monetary investment. the first don't require additional federal fund. it's been encouraging to see momentum on the issue throughout the three years i served. and i look bard to continuing working with my colleagues. >> thank you for your testimony. as i know we said earlier senator hatch wanted to be here to testify. he has offered legislation that seeks to prevent traffic youth in foster care. so we asked him to testify, he couldn't be here. he provided a video for us. we'll watch senator hatch's

testimony. but before we begin the video, if our member panel wants to leave -- you are free to leave or you can stay and listen to the senator's testimony. and any of the members on the panel here who have questions we'll just meet you on the floor and send them to your office. is that all right? okay. thank you for being here today. [inaudible conversations] >> chairman, ranking member, and members of the subcommittee on human resource. thank you for holding this important hearing on preventing and addressing sex trafficking of youth in foster care. i've placed a opportunity to tell the committee about legislation i've introduced in the senate. mr. chairman, and ranking members, you know there is an open epidemic of abuse taking place in america today. recent reports estimate that hundred of thousand of children and youth were at risk for

domestic sex trafficking. the risk of sex trafficking is compounded every year for up to 2340urbgs -- 30,000 young people, who are quote, emancipated, unquote, from foster care. too many turn 18, pack their few belongings in a trash bag and driven to homeless shelters leaving them vulnerable and exposed to photographickers and other predators. while in foster care, children and youth are an increased risk forest fire traffic -- for frarveg -- trafficking. systemic changes need to be made in the current system. the legislation i've introduced in the senate, the improving outcomes for youth risk for sex trafficking otherwise known as i. o. u. address some of the -- child welfare and foster care system that make children and youth particularly vulnerable to

being sexually trafficked. i would like to describe the highlight of the legislation for the subcommittee. mr. chairman, i'm sure many americans would be surprised to learn that most child welfare agencies will not serve trafficked children and youth who are not the custody of a biological or foster family or living in a group home. often these children who are not legally able to give consent for sex are arrested for prostitution and referred to the juvenile justice system. and in many states the court and the juvenile justice system are ill equipped to deal with the trauma these children and youth have endured. my bill requires states to provide services to youth who have been trafficked or are at the risk of being trafficked. it also redistricts social services block grant funds to improve the current court system to better identify and address the needs of trafficked youth. my bill include a number prof visions to encourage, enhance,

and support youth in foster care to allow them to participate in age-appropriate activities and social events. i hope these preventions will promote healthy development, increase opportunities for foster children to form meaningful connections and reduce the risk of vulnerability to domestic sex trafficking and other negative outcomes. another major risk factor for vulnerability to domestic sex trafficking for youth and the child welfare system is a continued reliance on care facilities. sometimes referred to as group homes. these facilities are routinely targeted by traffickers and are often warehouses for youth who are rarely, if ever, allowed to engage in healthy social activities. my legislation refocuses federal priorities on connecting vulnerable youth with caring, permanent families and limits federal reimbursement for young children and after a certain

duration for older youth. for those remaining in care, those kinds of facilities, the bill requires that youth have have improved access to normal, age-appropriate activities. many youth in foster care report they might not have gone in to foster care in the first place had preventive services been available to their biological family which could have kept them safely at home. i. omplet u.'s response to the need for preventive services such as mental health and substance -- to address the need as well as to enhance an improved child welfare systems. youth and foster care routinely report that they feel uninvolved, unaware, and disconnected to any planning around their care or future. they are not informed of their rights while in foster care. this can lead to a sense of

disfranchisement and a lack of connection to siblings, relatives, or other caring adults. in many cases, this rank of connection contributes to the void so often preyed on by traffickers. my bill requires that states child welfare agency provide ongoing family funding for older youth in foster care as well as greater participation of youth and planning for their future. we want to find those families for them. it also encourages states to find individuals with willing to be involved on an ongoing basis with the youth and foster care. individuals who work with victims of domestic sex trafficking tell us that the single biggest challenge to successful intervention with these victims is a lack of assessable and affordable housing. for older youth who have been e emancipated from foster care, not having a place to sleep is often a reason why they enter

the sex trade. in order to improve housing options for these at-risk youth, my bill redirects funds from the social services block grant. in order provide housing to trafficked and other vulnerable youth. chairman and ranking member, thanks a lot. thanks again, for the opportunity to share highlight of my legislation. i look forward to working with you and other members of the subcommittee as we move forward to prevent and address domestic sex trafficking. >> well, again if any members have questions for senator hatch or any of the other callings that have testified today, you are free to submit them in writing. and now we'll move to the second panel, if we please have them take their seats. [inaudible conversations]

[inaudible conversations]

welcome. happy to see you all here today. on our second panel this afternoon, we'll be hearing from -- i'm going call her t. because she said i could do that as well as all the other members we can call her t. she goes by t. she's a board member, human rights project for girls. welcome. mr. john ryan, ceo national center for missing and exploited children. thank you for being here. thank you, judge. miss melinda a ph.d. executive director of youth care. thank you. and miss ashley harris, child welfare texas care for children. thank you for being here. t., so you five minutes, a little more, if you want. >> thank you, mr. chairman. i want to say thank you to you, the member of the committee, and

the human rights for girls for the invitation to be here today. a little bit about my plan would be walker pet grew. you can call me t. i'm 24 years of age and i'm currently a student here in washington, d.c., at trinity washington university. previous to being a student, i was a youth who grew up in foster care for pretty much the first 18 years of my life. throughout that time, from the ages of 10 to 17, i was a victim of sexual exploitation and trafficking here domestically in the united states. throughout the states of california, nevada, oregon, and, of course, your state, washington. i'm here to tell you why i and other youth in foster care are rendered more vulnerable to be sexually trafficked. firstful all, we accept and normalized youthing a as object for financial gain. we experience various people who control and come in and out our lives. we lack opportunities to gain meaningful relationships and

positive attachments, and the traffickers exploiters -- i use the term interchangeable in the testimony. they all mean the same thing. have no fear of punishment due to the lack of attention when the young people from the population go missing. in addition, the likeness ability makes it easier for exploiters to hide their involvement which continues to perpetuate the foster care. how do we expect and normal -- for a financial gain? as you know, there's many provide -- money provided to care givers by the agency to provide and serve the youth. often this money is used by care givers for their personal use or the use of their families or biological children. and currently from my knowledge, there's no system set up to guarantee that the money is actual being utilized for the child that is within the placement. so oftentimes what happens is the foster parent will say something, of course, of, you

know, i don't really care what you do, it's not my worry as long as, you know, you don't die, you know, i'm going continue to get my paycheck. it's nothing but a paycheck ideology. really puts a youth in a comprising situation in regards to how they're supposed to feel. and so what we begin to do is normalize and accept that our purpose is of being financial benefit of others. and so this -- because of this is it makes it hard for the youth and n.i.c.e this my story to glean the difference in bringing in finances to the foster home or of the bringing money to an exploiter. so foster care normalizes that other people are supposed to control our lives and circumstances. multiple roles such as public defenders and social workers fluctuate out of youths' lives. most are strangers to them. these are the people who dictate what happens in their lives, where they live, what school

they go to, and what decisions will be made for them socially. foster care creates an ever-changing environment of youth having to adapt to strangers making life decisions. it's conducive to the parallel process of exploiters who seek to keep control of a youth's life. we lack opportunity to gain meaningful relationship. how it plays out for others and myself opportunities to build the skills such as problem soflting or what it means to reconcile after an argument are denied and we are moved to another placement. for myself, i -- cue to the over14 placements i've endured the most consistent relationship that i ever had while in care was out of my pimp and his family. like me and if many other youth in the care, we become accustomed to being isolated. much like the victim of domestic violence. by adapting to multiple moves from home to home, this allows us to easily adapt to when traffickers move us multi.

times from hotel to hotel, city to city, or state to state. and these exploiters go without fear of punishment due to the lack of attention when the young people go missing. no one looks for us. i really want to make this clear. no one looks for us. no one keeps us on the radar. the system makes no effort. there is no amber alerts, no posters when youth go missing. and oftentimes group homes will avoid reporting youth missing due interrupting payment. and oftentimes from these systems it's always assumed that we have willingly run away. many times it's not the case many time we are kidnapped or other circumstance. this, the exploiters use to their advantage. the life and stability of foster care makes it easier for exploiters to hide their involvement, which continues to perpetuate our population vulnerability. i believe child welfare agencies should be working with local programs, which support and

provide resources to youth who have been sexually exploited to enhance their responses with working with these youth to transition to a healthier lifestyle. they also can learn ways to identify these youths. for myself, there's many times that i had in absences and people knew i was absent, but those were red flags that should have been made paid attention to. child welt fair also -- the agencies also need to figure out ways to make these children visible when they go missing. i'm pretty sure there's many people in society that would be willing to help but they're not aware these children are missing and that somebody cares about what is happening to them. you should also be provided drama-informed counseling care at all times. it this means that the agency should be actively working to gain and maintain these resources to do so. and in addition, i believe cell phone hot line or other ways to respond and interact with the youth when they reach out should

be developed. the youth need to be actively involved in the decision making process of their life and circumstances. in california they have meetings called tdm. teen decision making meetings and new york has something along the same processes called family teen conferences. these are great examples of youth involvement as they have the youth and the feaments come together. and families both biological and created come together to make decisions about placement, choices, and things of that sort. you should have a constant ally throughout their time and care. as it is a great resource that some agencies do work with mentorship programs, oftentimes a mentoring goes uncontinued if the youth is not placement. i think they should be provided to constant ally throughout the time and care. the person should be available whether or not the youth is in placement. this also helps in regards tow when the youth are on the streets or in the process of being exploited.

and lastly, we need to ensure that these conversations are actually followed with federal actions from the input received here today. in addition to all that i've stated here, i serve on the national foster care and alumni policy counsel. we have been actively working to provide recommendation to address the issue among the population. i want to say, thank you, again, chairman, members of the committee, and the human rights project for girls and the audience for taking the time to receive my contribution. thank you to all who work on behalf of children. you are appreciated to end the vulnerability of these children. thank you. >> good job. thank you for your testimony w. i let her go a little bit long. i think we all agree that special testimony that we all need to hear. it doesn't mean that the other four witnesses -- [laughter] don't have something important to say, but so you'll be held to the five-minute rule, mr. ryan. [laughter] >> dually noted, mr. chairman.

thank you, t, for sharing your powerful story with us. it's very compelling. mr. chairman, member of the subcommittee, thank you for inviting me to speak about the problem of sex trafficking of our youth in foster care in the united states. as you know, the national center is a private non-profit operation since 1986. we are designated by congress to serve as the nation's clearing house on missing and exploited children's issues. we have several programs to address child sex trafficking including our cyber tip line an online reporting mechanism for suspected child sexual exploitation including child sex trafficking and child pornography. additionally, our child sex trafficking team made up able liberalizeds who support law enforcement's effort to arrest and prosecute those who sell our children for sex. our critical runway unit. these are specialized case

management teaments -- teams that hanged cases of missing children who are possible sex trafficking victims. it partners with the fbi and the justice department in the innocent loss national initiative. since 2003, it has served as a clearing house for information and provides analytical support to the 66 innocent lost task forces throughout the country. these task forces operate -- operation across country. this is a targeted coordinated three-day sweep of child sex trafficking venueses. these operations have rescued more than 2700 children who have been trafficked and arrested more than 1300 pimps. several of these prosecutions have resulted in life sentences. this year, the youngest child recovered was 13 years of age. when they hear the term child sesk trafficking, most american think it only happens in other countries or that foreign children are brought here to be

sold in large cities. in fact, we have learned that most of the victims of child sex trafficking are american kids who are trafficked in small towns and large urban areas. if people are not aware of it, they're not looking for it. how prevalent is child sesk trafficking? in 2012 alone, one out of eight endangered runways reported to the national center were likely child sex trafficking victims. one out of eight. this number has tripled since we started comparing children to missing children to trafficked children. and often overlooked aspect of child sex trafficking is that it is also a problem of missing children. many child sex trafficking victims are missing from their parents, legal guardians, or as cro the care placement. these are the most vulnerable of children. traffickers know this. they actively target runways and then lure them to the sex trade

using psychological manipulation, illegal drug, and violation. foster children are easy targets for pimps. these children are the most susceptible to the manipulation and the false promisers traffickers use to secure their trust and dependency. of the children reported missed in 2012, were likely child sex trafficking victims 67% were the care of social services or foster care when they ran. 67%. let me give you one example. the national center received reports of young girl who is 15. she had been reported missing 13 times before she was placed in foster care. law enforcement got involved and pattern continued of her running away. we found through our report that the child had several tattoos. many pronounced. tattoos are a sign of branding by these pimps. they market these products to

these young girls, these victims. we were able to develop leads through public access data that this girl was being trafficked on an online classified service. we sent that information to law enforcement, they set up a sting operation, they made a call to arrange a date with this young girl and they were able to rescue her. the girl reported for the last two years she been victimized on average five times per night for that two-year period. the most important thing we can do is to change the conversation from a juvenile delinquency issue to child protection issue. these children cannot just walk away. they must be rescued and treated as victims. all child welfare agencies must report missing foster children to law enforcement. the national center working with law enforcement when we have this information, we can interdict, help find this child before they are victimized.

we have systems that are in place in some states, but it must be universal, consistent, and mandated. thank you for your interest. we look forward to working with the committee and all the proposed legislation that has been proffered here today. thank you. >> thank you, mr. ryan. i would like to take a moment to introduce the next witness who happens to be from washington state and a friend of mine back in our criminal justice days together. justice bridge is from my home state, as i said, and has more than 19 years of experience with child welfare and has been recognized as a leading advocate for foster care in juvenile justice reform. justice bridge founded the center for children and youth justice in 2006 to reform washington state's juvenile justice and child welfare systems. and recently, i think january,

2010, you were given the have advocacy spirit award, national spirit award by the -- you were a defender of rights and the dignity for our youth award in january of 2010. so it's good to see you. i'm happy you were able to be here. ibdz it coincides with a conference that will be held tomorrow. >> thank you very much. mr. chairman reichert, who was calling sheriff as well, and members of the subcommittee. thank you for inviting my testimony today. it's an honor to participate in the discussion in the ways we can prevent effectively intervene, and ultimately eradicate the commercial sexual exploitation of children in the community especially those in the foster care system. i'm bobby bridge. the center informally known as ccyj is a non-profit established

in 2006 to advance justice for and enhance of live of children and youth in the juvenile justice and child welfare system through juvenile jus u.s. is, child welfare, and related systems improvement. as chairman reichert noted prior to founding ccyj i was a trial judge for ten years. during which time i presided over hundreds of child abuse and neglect. with it i had known the right question to ask. during the eight years of service of the associate justice of the washington state supreme court. i reviewed the same cases and became involved in system change effort in child welfare. i learned valuable lessons. no one part of this system, no one system can alone address the multiple conflicts needs of abuse and neglected children and youth. fortunately, washington state is a robust history of collaboration both cross discipline and cross system in child welfare. the history has lead to a number of changes in practice in our

child welfare system that is resulted in better outcomes for our children and youth in foster care. but information that is coming to us now regarding the extend to which these children who have been in foster care or currently in foster care are becoming victims of sex trafficking commercially sexually exploited children presents a new real -- reality that requires new approaches. i would like to focus my brief time on describing a approach that might prove valuable in the response to this reality. a lot remains unknown about it. what we know is by bringing professionals from the various systems that interact with those who are either are or who are at risk of becoming sexually trafficked together with survivor and community voices in authentic, collaborative, and coordinated responses we're more likely to create successful outcome for the children.

the state of washington is in the process of implementing a collaborative model. it's the working title for the ccjy lead project which -- model protocol. the purpose of the project and of the protocol is to implement that statewide coordinated response that is best practiced and data-driive that will identify, engage, and better serve commercially, sexually exploited children and youth in washington state. children and youth who are victims, not criminals, and hold their perpetrators accountable. with a combination of public and private funding last year we brought together over 200 people. survivors, system professionals, advocates and community members across the state to discuss the context of it in their community the responses that were currently being used, the gaps in data and services, and exemployer what component of the

model-response protocol should include with are the ult of the effort a draft protocol was prepared, vetted to a number of state-wide leaders and finalized. this year, working together with our partner youth care, five sites, soul multicounty have been trained on the protocol and best practices and working with c sec. also during this year, the washington state center for court research of the administrative office the court is leading an effort to work with stakeholders and those pilot sites to develop a data collection plan involving law enforcement, court, child welfare, and service providers. the progress of the protocol and the policy implication of the work of the local site will be being reviewed by the newly created washington state c sec coordinated committee established by the legislature in 2013 legislative session and convened by the washington attorney general. lessons learned have lead us some promising systemic actions that could be undertaken by this subcommittee.

first, providing guidelines, direction, and resources for the cooperative and consistent collection of data on the prevalence of c sec, there are pathways to becoming trafficking victims and effective practices for prevention and intervention. providing guidance and incentive for collaboration and cooperation at both the state and local levels to develop model protocol for improving our response to c sec and critical here to success is the necessary participation of the state and regional child welfare agency at the highest level. providing direction and incentive to state child welfare agencies to focus on children missing from care and recruit and train specialized foster homes to receive those who are found to be c sec. safe and stable housing should be made available to those for whom independent living is the best option. providing specific resources for the court involvement act.

and advocate for resource to the court. providing training to child welfare workers on the identification of c sec including the use of special assessment tool and case work practices that reduce running from care. mandating changes in safe child welfare laws so as to include a trafficked child is a definition of an abused child. i thank you for the opportunity to be a part of finding solutions to the section trafficking of youth and foster care. on behalf of ccyj, i would submit whatever efforts which we undertake to address the proliferation of sex trafficking of our former and current foster youth should be researched-based, collaborative, coordinated, data-driven and sustainable. these efforts should focus on identification and support of the victims and must recognize that this is a crime of mobility, which requires a unified and consistent response, a response that does not merely move the incidents from one

neighborhood, one county, one state to another. and hence, the beauty of this federal leadership on the issues. thank you very much. >> i would like to introduce another friend from washington state who is -- has over 27 years of experience developing and implementing reengagement programs for out of school and homeless youth. she's the executive director of youth care, which helps homeless youth and operates the only program in washington state provided residential services for sexually exploited youth. you're recognized for five minutes. >> good afternoon, chairman reichert, and member of the subcommittee. i'm grateful to address you today. i am the director of youth care, located in seattle, washington. since 1994, youth care has been a leader in providing effective

services to help seattle runway and homeless youth get off the street and prepare for life. we were founded to help eliminate the sexual exploitation of children in our chiewn tip. our agencies dynamic program and collaboration serve as a model for working with runway, homeless, and sexually exploited youth locally and nationwide. runway and homeless youth are high-risk for sexual exploitation. recent study cited here today estimate there's a huge prevalence between the two huge populations prior to the young people entering our services fop better serve the client of youth care we operate the bridge continuum of services for sexually exploited youth consistenting of identification and outreach strategy, community-base advocate which i like to call lifeline. emergency shelter program, long-term housing, and most important, education and employment training which helps offer the young people an opportunity to find a way out of exploitation.

the services are trauma-informed and victim informed. the city of seattle estimates there are between 700 and 1,000 homeless youth on our streets every night. the seattle area has a significant problem with sexual exploitation and the trafficking of children. in 2008, the study in kick county conducted by dr. debra identified 237 unduplicated miners involved in prostitution and determined the prove -- pref lens to be between 3 and 500 per year. the long-term risk for youth and foster care are well documented. it's only in recent years it has been widely recognized. many of the runway and homeless youth served at youth care are part of the foster care system or have aged out. even more have history of involvement with child welfare through cps reports and investigations. we see youth every day who are being trafficked, exploited, and

system-involved for whom the system has failed. it's a system's involvement combined with the runway and homeless status which makes them uniquely vulnerable to pimp and traffickers. today i will highlight five key issues and offer recommendings to address each of these. youth and foster care -- victimization through sex trafficking do lack of social and familiar support and frequency of runway. youth care recommendation that the child welfare agency create a plan how to prevent trafficking among youth and care and identify and respond imrowt -- youth who become victims. second, the youth and foster care often victims sex trafficking before social workers and foster parents or other providers are aware. youth care recommendation that screening intake and ongoing service planning should include measures such as childhood sexual abuse. we recommend that all child welfare staff and foster parents receive mandatory training on identifying and responding to

sex trafficking that that specific resources be dedicated to meet the needs of victims and foster parents and social work staff. and finally we recommend that social work and child welfare agency participate in region tal task forces or protocol development in effort to respond to sex trafficking while partnering with the runway and homeless youth program across the nation to help lay the programwork for across country and very deep intervention strategy for the young people. receiving runway and homeless youth money or fund. rerecommend that the language be amended to allow for the provision of services -- the scope of the fourth is a scope of prevalence is not systemically tracked or quantifed in the lack of data is a significant barrier to the

effective response. it is recommended it should be implemented. and in the runway and homeless youth system are being sex trafficked. finally, responses to sex trafficking at the state and local level are varied and inconsistent. they be enacted where by allegations of sex trafficking are automatically screened for investigation by child protective services and the definition of abuse and neglect is expanded to reflect the abuse and harm caused by pimps, traffickers, buyers of commercial sex and others accessing children through the commercial sex trade. using foster care are a significant risk for many damaging. victims and increase the capacity of child welfare agency to protect youth from the harmful and devastating experiences. third years ago youth care ran a

program helping 36 young women off the street and out of the victimization of prostitution. i sit here 30 years later when the same recommendation i would are had then. i see and hear from many of these 36 young women that i knew. they call, they say thank you. they have jobs, they have college degrees, they have families, they have lives. the young people i see now were not even born when they were in my care. how many thousand of young lives have been lost in those 30 years? how many more before we recognize that these are not incorrigible, immoral delink wents that need to be dealt with but children with the most heinous form of abuse in the community. they need our hip, support, care, and dare i say love to regain their lives. how many more and how long lfer those children become our children? i would like that thank the

subcommittee for the interesting in hearing of youth care representation for improving child welfare system response. in closing, deeply appreciate the dedication of this subcommittee in particularly of you, chairman, to provide leadership and bipartisan commitment to combating sex trafficking. we look forward to your continued effort and collaborationed and honored to be a resource in any way necessary as you move forward. >> thank you for your testimony. dedicated exclusive to improving the live of texas children through politician change passenger. as a former caseworker for overfour years, i truly appreciate the opportunity to provide a first-hand account of how the horrible crime impacts foster candidates in those guided to protect them. i have to first acknowledge t's testimony. i think we can all agree who the

real experts are. those are former foster youth and those in care currently. thank you for your testimony. with my testimony, i hope to offer recommends for the committee's consideration and opportunity for improvement. i've included additional items for the committee's consideration in written testimony. however, because of time. ly specifically highlight the role that training, lower case loads, and case monitoring has on the identification and protection of our most vulnerable children. those removed from the homes due abuse and neglect and based in foster case. since hearing the recent report that a majority of children -- likely child trafficking victims who are reported missing ran away from either foster care or group home. i've been reflecting on my days as a former caseworker and one of my former kids. stefanie was a bright, beautiful, funny young adult. i worked with her for over three years. i knew her as a runner.

since birth, stefanie's life was defined by how others used and abused her body. as a teen, he acted as though runningway from care sometimes selling herself to others was a way to exert control over her body and life. i tragic and flawed way of thinking of a direct consequence of all she endured. each time she returned. i never stop the to ask the question that would allow me to unthe experience and impact of being away from foster care all alone, exploited and broken without a person or system to protect and support her. with a case load of over 30 teens or more at the time, well above the recommended case load of 12 to 15 per worker, getting her was more than a priority. caseworkers are the people charge with protected some of our most vulnerable children and --

ensure the appropriate -- for further abuse and neglect and promote a child's ability to thrive in and out of the child welfare system. i also regret that the training i received as a caseworker had not provided me the skill and support needed to understand the impact of trauma on healthy child development. and identify the behavior and characteristic that increase the likelihood that children in foster care will be victim of exploitation and trafficking. for many agencies, training on these topics is not part of the initial basic skills development provided to newly hired caseworkers. additionally basic training on human trafficking reporting laws and information on appropriate resources should be provided to all professionals who are likely to come in to contact with possible minor victims who may be on runway. stefanie's story represent the experience of many homeless teens and those in foster care living on the streets by themselves. with no one to protect them,

frankly, no one really looking. when these children runway from state custody, the system must respond in an expedited manner and best effort to locate the child and address the safety and well being. as their parent, the child welfare system has a responsibility to address the needs of foster children and ensure their super vision -- must take press debit in a strategic plan of state and local child welfare organizations. these children are all of our children. and as a nation continues to look at ways to combat human trafficking, we must do a better job at identifying, protecting, and supporting vulnerable youth like stefanie to prevent them from becoming another statistic. helping them thrive and become healthy, productive, and happy adults. thank you, so much. >> thank you all for your testimony. i couldn't help but sort of think back to the days when i was on the street as a police

officer, ad had detective, and detective working the murder cases. that was really central around young girls and young lady who were victim on the street being taken advantage of and sadly, some lives were taken by a monster who was prowling the streets. and what my memory brought me back to were some of the things that you all said especially your comment about 30 years ago you made the same recommendations. i see that so clearly. thinking back -- not much has changed. a little bit. some has changed. but not nearly enough. we have so much work to do. what i also appreciate our first panel too, they bring some solutions -- they're working on legislation

that i think can be helpful. whey appreciate about the panel is not only describe the problem for the members here today, from your perspective but provided input as you see as solutions. which is really tremendous help for us. i'm curious, my first question will two to t. we had a chance, as i said earlier, to meet a little bit before the hearing. but, first of all, i know that every member up here really recognizes the courage it takes to come and speak in front of congress, first of all. but to tell your story, i know it's hard. i have trouble telling my own story as you and i witnessed earlier. so thank you for being here. thank you for having the courage to come and testify today. so you've heard some of the

ideas about what we can do prevent kids in foster care from entering to the life human trafficking. from your point of view, it's really would be very helpful to us to know what do you think? what can we do as members of congress, what can the federal government do to help ensure that young kids get a good, permanent, loving home and stay off the street and in the world that we know is destructive. >> thank you, again, chairman. i think something that is important to me. first of all, i would like to say everything spoken at the panel i fully support as a survivor and someone whose ha has a perspective of living a reality. one of the things i think is helpful i know for my own story and other stories we escaped in

different ways, but i think it comes down comp hence i -- comprehensive trauma gernt -- gender-specific. boys, girls, transgender, lgbtq. what, i mean, it's not just just professional but, you know, stated here it's also victim-informed. i think that is the best way he can start to find the gap the hole in which yowrt are actually falling through. for myself, you know, it started with, you know, the connection to a youth advocate who is very much trauma informed and knew about my story for years previous. and so it really takes conglomerate of different people and officials who come together to say we're going spanned up for the youth. does that answer your question? >> yes, it does. very quell. >> okay. >> thank you.

go ahead. >> i had another thing i wanted to say. in addition i think that we need to really look outside and think outside the box. something i find to be very helpful in addition to all of that. our, you know, us thinking outside the box in the effect of, you know, i know for myself i had -- who, you know, although i wouldn't be placement maintain contact. i cell phone, e-mail. no matter what she would maintain contact with me. i think we need go back to the real terminology of things as professionals and who want to make a difference. we need to understand that labeling is real in all terms. even as, you know, well intentioned our work is using the terminology of children prostitution or child prostitutes is becomes very offensive and it really is makes it a hard time for young people to be able to overcome their victimization. these young people should never

be referred to prostitutes or prostituted children. they oftentimes aren't even a legal age. how they can be selling something they don't have a legal right to have. taking that in perspective, even as a survivor i wouldn't say i'm a survivor but a thriver and overcoming. and understanding the labels are all integrated in the way we see ourselves and our future. >> thank you. we're going keep your phone number handy so we can give you a call and ask some questions too later, is that all right? >> no problem. >> okay. justice bridge, what do you see as the court's role in helping to reduce the vulnerability of youth in foster care. how can courts work with child welfare agencies to ensure that the kids are kept safe from harm? >> first, i'm going put t on speed dial as well. [laughter] but courts definitely have a lull. we've been on the child welfare side of things, unfortunately,

we get siloed. i have to say on the one hand, on the other hand child juvenile justice. we know that these frequently are the same population of kids. they center represent the same needs, trauma as their pathway to either juvenile justice or child welfare. with that said, the courts have done a much better job in working with the agency in order to ensure that our work is consistent, that we are governorred by best practiced by actual data that exists rather than by ante-dote or, worst of all, the comfort of the adult in the system as opposed to the voice of the young people who are a part of the systems. so all of that is really important and one of the things that i think on this particular issue that is so critical for us work together on is the sieftion a key. we need have the best science possible including specific

assessment in order to be able to identify who these children are. many children in the state of washington are not on the juvenile justice side don't end in the juvenile justice system by being labeled as prostitutes. they come; however, through a variety of mostly dispeern offense and the like. drug possession. as being the most frequent felony arrest, but there are all kinds of red flags. there's all kinds of good learning that we could, can, and should know and learning together to identify the kids. that's the court's role in that regard becomes not criminalizing this person who is a victim, this child who is a victim. but can intervene to more postally impact the child's life and make sure they refer to resources which can intervene and interrupt the process toward being even more deeply

trafficked. and one of the things that t mentioned that just struck a chord with me was what we have learned in go on developing this state-wide c sec protocol and the safe washington. in many instans, this is true for foster kids as well as children who are not in the foster care system. when the early days of their being trafficked -- in the early dais of their being trafficked. they are still connected. they are still connected primary to the -- they go to school. they show up. maybe they go to one or two classes. they do it's an incredible opportunity for educators or for the court, if they end up being directed to the court because of truancy. people have to ask the right questions, and we have -- we need know what the right questions are. in order ask the right questions we need to be aware of what the

warning signs are like the missing schools, like tattoos, like having income that is unexplained, cell phone that are maybe two or three at the same time. all of these kinds of issues. we need to be smarter and get smarter together. that's how the court can work with the social service agency. >> thank you very much. >> thank you very much. you talked about the case load saw several heads nodding back and forth of you from all of you as you discuss various issues. in term of case loads, are there some national standards on what is appropriate for working care? how does that compare to what we have in texas? >> the child welfare league of america recommendation caseworkers have a case load of 12 to 15 children at the time. and in texas, you know, we're at

nearly double that recommendation. how does that -- how do you find that in washington state? >> i believe have been reduced over the course of the past decade, let's say. we are still, i believe, on average 19 or 20. and particularly when you're working with vulnerable populations, again, you have to ask before you know when you have the particularly vulnerable case for people on your case load and by that, i mean, children who have been on the run from foster care. if you have 19 or if you have 10 on your case load that's far too many. >> one aspected of our committee is the flow of federal dollars to help out with child welfare. i would just ask you since we've heard the system of the colleagues. if there are specific thicks

within the jurisdiction of this committee that you recommend we do, whether it's now -- i think you have done that in some of yours and the other witnesses have as women. really looking to see isn't there a way now immediately we can agree on some bipartisan legislation that supplement what you are doing at the state level? i know so much of this needs to be occurring at the state level. yes, do you have a -- >> i do. i would like to talk a little bit about what is already being done in another arena. if we look how we are treating young people who are foreign victims of trafficking through our office, my organization alone just received a 1.5 million grant to be able to serve 20 beds of young people. these young people that have trauma-informed care,

especialist, they have people working on the legal issues. they have appropriate super vision and care. it's a wonderful system to take care of the miners who have no -- minors without papers trafficked across the border. the other side, program receives $109 million for programs across the country. runway home less youth programs were designed and set up and appropriated originally to serve the needs of sexually exploited children in our community. couldn't we be helping the 475 programs nationally to become the infrastructure to respond a lot easier than set up yet another system, to be honest with you. couldn't we work in parallel with child welfare to use the resources we have to expand them to at least have equity in how we treat our foreign victims and local victims. >> that's helpful. judge, did you want to add something? >> the the exclamation point i would like to make.

i was rushing through my remarking in order to make the appropriate time frame, but what was being said. what it amounts to is mandating changes changes in state child welfare laws so as to include -- right now i believe that representative bathe notices as well. the third party the perpetrator of the abuse it doesn't fall within most state statute. the federal government can and should be the leader in this this. our state statute 99% of the state statute mimic what the federal statute provides. and that -- these are our kids. how could it not be abuse? and the fact is, is someone mentioned that these are our children in the most fundamental way. we have taken them from their homes, we have made a determination that those homes

are not safe and not providing if their well being and not the best permanent place for them, yet, we then, when they run we just don't look. that's -- it's shameful. >> doctor, were you going add a comment? >> yeah. i just think, that, again, we know resources are tight it's always going that way. there are administrative things we can do to make the system work better for the young people. attractive person in child welfare cannot have access a transitional living program funded by hod or the runway homeless youth networking. they are under the jurisdiction even though they don't work. those kinds of things to prevent young people from getting access to the care they need, if you're a foster care you have a person aging out of foster care, instead of being able to go directly to a transitional living program, funded by hud you're not eligible.