HHS Invests $35 Million to Bolster National Human Trafficking Hotline and Protect Survivors

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), today announced a five-year, projected $35 million grant to Compass Connections - a leader in managing complex hotline systems across local, state, and federal levels to deliver rapid crisis response, coordinate high-impact referrals, and safeguard sensitive information - to operate the National Human Trafficking Hotline. The investment in a new Hotline provider will better serve survivors of human trafficking by improving responsiveness to crisis calls, texts, and chats, while strengthening coordination with survivor advocates, service providers, child welfare agencies, and law enforcement to ensure children and adults who experience trafficking receive the support they need.

Authorized by the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015 and incorporated into the Trafficking Victims Protection Act, the Hotline is a 24/7, confidential resource that offers information and service referrals to individuals who have experienced human trafficking. The decision to select a new Hotline provider is a departure from the incumbent, a change aimed at strengthening trust after ACF received and verified ongoing and concerning feedback that the Hotline was not adequately meeting stakeholder needs.

"ACF heard ongoing concerns about the National Human Trafficking Hotline and acted quickly to select a new service provider to strengthen coordination, connect survivors with high-quality resources, and, as appropriate, share information with law enforcement to help survivors leave their trafficking situation or find justice," said Acting Assistant Secretary Andrew Gradison. "Every survivor who reaches out should count on timely, confidential support, and a system that delivers help in moments of crisis and on the path to recovery."

The award includes an increase of $1 million annually and will bring annual funding to $7 million, reflecting the Trump Administration's commitment to protecting survivors and efficiently connecting them to life-saving resources that help them find safety, rebuild their lives, and strengthen their overall health and wellbeing.

Since its launch in 2007, the Hotline has received nearly 1.5 million contacts, helped identify more than 115,000 potential trafficking situations, and connected thousands of survivors to shelter, case management, counseling, and law enforcement support. ACF has already developed a transition framework to guide the handoff from the current operator to Compass Connections, ensuring no disruption in services. Survivor safety, privacy, and healing remain the top priorities of this Administration throughout and beyond the operator transition process.

The grant also incorporates protections developed in response to stakeholder feedback, including a requirement that the Hotline prioritize contacts from individuals in immediate danger, actively experiencing trafficking, or minors at risk of abuse or neglect. It also mandates the creation of a comprehensive law enforcement engagement plan, developed in consultation with survivors, to enhance collaboration and standardize how tips are shared with local, state, federal, and tribal agencies. In addition, the grant requires annual training for law enforcement and child welfare representatives to strengthen coordination and build trust across systems.

If you or someone you know needs help, call the Hotline at 1-888-373-7888, text HELP to 233733, or use the live chat at humantraffickinghotline.org.

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