The Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) Student Support Services team recently hosted an international delegation to discuss strategies for preventing human trafficking. This gathering underscored the global scope of the issue and emphasized the vital role education plays in addressing it.

Dr. Kimberly Faulkner-Camacho and Dr. Lakeah Dickerson, from LACOE’s Mental Health and School Counseling team, engaged with ambassadors and representatives to focus on the impact of human trafficking in L.A. County, particularly in light of the County’s alarmingly high rate of child exploitation, one of the highest in the United States.

Reflecting on the event,  Dr. Dickerson shared, “I was honored to present our Human Trafficking Youth Prevention Education (HTYPE) Program to ambassadors and representatives from Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Mexico, Panama and Uruguay…Their passion and commitment to combating human trafficking worldwide was truly inspiring."

While addressing human trafficking presents ongoing challenges, LACOE remains committed to educating students, families and educators. Our dedication to raising awareness and safeguarding students continues to be a top priority.