Samuel Merritt University received $1 million in California state funding to establish the THRIVE Institute, which will train healthcare professionals to recognize and respond to human trafficking and violence. California state Sen. Jesse Arreguín championed the funding.
A separate $1 million allocation in the state budget will support violence prevention programs operated by the City of Oakland.
The THRIVE Institute will build on Samuel Merritt University’s existing human trafficking prevention and response program.
Since 2022, that program has trained nearly 700 current and future healthcare professionals.
SMU has worked with community organizations including MISSSEY, an Oakland-based organization focused on survivor-informed approaches to commercial sexual exploitation of youth.
The new institute will establish a training academy where healthcare professionals can earn continuing education in trafficking response and trauma-informed care.
It will also expand training for SMU students across campuses and academic disciplines.
The university plans to evaluate its programs and publish curricula, assessment tools, and other materials that can be used by additional institutions.
THRIVE will also work with clinics and survivor-serving organizations to deliver trauma-informed services in the community.
Plans include a master of social work fellowship providing free behavioral health services, wellness training for violence-response workers, research into trafficking and perinatal health, and prevention programs for East Bay youth.
Over five years, SMU expects THRIVE to reach several thousand students, healthcare professionals, patients, and community members.
KEY QUOTES:
“Most trafficking survivors see a healthcare worker while they are being trafficked, yet only about 30% of healthcare workers say they feel prepared to respond.”
Sarah Koster, Assistant Professor in Samuel Merritt University’s College of Nursing
“The THRIVE Institute will help SMU prepare health professionals to recognize violence and exploitation and respond with trauma-informed care.”
Dr. Sam Alavi, Founding Director of SMU’s Center for Community Engagement and Ethnic Health Institute
“The THRIVE Institute can now scale it across the region and give other communities a model to follow.”
California State Sen. Jesse Arreguín
