HEAL Essentials: Culturally Responsive and Ethical Engagement with Survivors

HEAL Essentials Certificate in Anti-Trafficking Response

The HEAL Essentials Certificate in Anti-Trafficking Response is a live, structured learning program designed to build foundational knowledge and practical skills for professionals responding to human trafficking across healthcare, public health, and allied systems.

Grounded in a public health and survivor-centered framework, the program is designed as a cohesive learning arc—moving participants from core concepts to ethical engagement, trauma-informed practice, and coordinated systems response.

Participants may enroll in an individual training or complete the full certificate program.

Featured Training: Culturally Responsive and Ethical Engagement with Survivors

July 21 | 1:00–4:30 PM ET

This interactive training explores how identity, power, bias, and professional ethics shape engagement with survivors of human trafficking across systems and disciplines. Participants will examine practical strategies for building trust, supporting autonomy, and navigating complex ethical situations with cultural humility and survivor-centered care.

Topics include:

• Understanding how power, identity, and systemic inequities influence survivor engagement
• Practical culturally responsive and anti-oppressive communication strategies
• Navigating ethical tensions around safety, autonomy, confidentiality, and reporting
• Collaborative approaches across healthcare, social services, education, and related fields

This training is discussion-based, scenario-driven, and designed for multidisciplinary professionals seeking practical tools to strengthen ethical, survivor-centered engagement in real-world settings.

This program is Approved by the National Association of Social Workers (Approval # 886993836-9233) for 3 continuing education contact hours.

Full Certificate Program

Participants who enroll in the full program will complete the following live trainings:

• May 12 — Public Health Approaches to Human Trafficking - offered again in Spring 2027
• July 21 — Culturally Responsive and Ethical Engagement with Survivors
• September 29 — Trauma-Informed Screening and Assessment
• December 8 — Multidisciplinary and Supportive Responses to Trafficking

These trainings are designed to work together as a cohesive learning experience, while still allowing flexibility.

Courses may be taken in any order and are offered annually by HEAL.

Completion of all required trainings results in the HEAL Essentials Certificate in Anti-Trafficking Response.

Recommended: Foundational Knowledge

We strongly recommend that participants have a baseline understanding of human trafficking prior to attending these trainings.

For those newer to this topic, HEAL offers:
Human Trafficking: Foundations for Recognition and Response

Upcoming sessions:

• June 23 | 1:00–2:30 PM ET
• September 1 | 10:00–11:30 AM ET
• November 10 | 3:00–4:30 PM ET

This optional introductory course covers key definitions, indicators, and foundational response principles and may be taken at any time. Complimentary registration is included with the full training package. A discounted rate is available for participants who have already completed Foundations.

How to Register

You may choose one of the following options:

Single Training
Register for Culturally Responsive and Ethical Engagement with Survivors on July 21.

Full Training Package (Recommended)
Enroll in the full HEAL Essentials Certificate program, which includes all four core trainings and Foundations at a bundled rate.

Participants who select the full package will receive additional details on how to access the remaining trainings after registration.

Important Notes

• All trainings are delivered live and require active participation
• Recordings are not provided
• Each training includes a certificate of completion
• The HEAL Essentials Certificate is awarded upon completion of all four core trainings
• Participants may complete remaining trainings in future offerings if needed