The Minnesota Youth Human Trafficking and Exploitation Identification Tool and Guide

Thu, September 24 | 3:00 PM EDT– 4:00 PM EDT
Topic: Programming | Knowledge Level: Advanced

Amanda Colegrove, MA and Terry Forliti, BA

This presentation will discuss the new Minnesota tool for identifying human trafficking and exploitation for ages 13-17. Developed in 2020 by a diverse group of professionals and survivor leaders, this tool seeks to increase the identification of human trafficking and exploitation among youth across the state. It is a tool designed for those who work with youth, but may not be serving them in the same way or level as those dedicated to human trafficking services. This tool is intended for professionals within schools, juvenile detention centers, and others. There are many human trafficking risk assessment tools available like the Vera Institute for Justice’s Trafficking Victim Identification Tool; Office on Trafficking in Persons’ Adult Human Trafficking Screening Tool and Guide; National Human Trafficking Hotline’s Comprehensive Human Trafficking Assessment Tool. This tool will focus on the identification of trafficking situations, both labor and sex, as well as exploitation, that are occurring or have occurred in the past based on the federal and the Minnesota definitions of human trafficking. The presenters will explore the process of development, the content of the guide, and the tool itself. Attendees will be able to develop or adapt an identification tool specific to their state, region, or organization.


Presentation Objectives
  • Describe the new Minnesota toolkit
  • Discuss the difference between a risk assessment and the identification tool
  • Explain the process of development in order to help attendees create or adapt a similar tool
About the Presenters
Amanda Colegrove, MA

Amanda Colegrove is the Safe Harbor Expansion Coordinator for the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). She is managing the process of integrating a response for labor trafficked youth up to age 24 into Minnesota’s Safe Harbor Program. This includes working with state agencies, survivor advisory groups, and tribal nations.


Terry Forliti, BA

Terry Forliti is a survivor-leader. After 30 years of being in the life, she broke free from her life of abuse as a program participant at Breaking Free. She obtained her BA in Organizational Leadership in 2005. In 2016, Terry was appointed Executive Director of Breaking Free.