Examining the Use of Specialized Workgroups to Enact anti-Trafficking Coalition Strategic Planning in a Small Midwestern State

Author: Nichols, Andrea & Preble, Kathleen

Abstract: This pilot study examined the strengths and challenges of implementing specialized workgroups formed to address salient needs of human trafficking survivors in a small midwestern state from the perspectives of anti-trafficking coalition workgroup organizers and participants. The study results will be used to inform the workgroups, as well as a larger mixed methods follow-up study. The study used a blend of community action research and grounded theory methods to analyze 11 in-depth interviews with coalition workgroup members and organizers. The interviews were recorded and transcribed, and data analysis involved a multi-layered co-coding process to identify, label, and categorize key themes and subthemes. Workgroup strengths included communication and collaborative partnerships, while challenges included lack of workgroup clarity and clear agenda-setting, staff turnover, inconsistent attendance, and workgroup structure. Challenges to workgroup structure resulted in fragmentation of the workgroups, as well as the larger coalition. Recommendations include providing continued forums for partnerships and communication, while addressing process challenges by providing a clear agenda, indicating who should participate in each workgroup, and introducing new staff/workgroup organizers and participants to build connections. Addressing workgroup structure challenges include maintaining large coalition group identity and meetings, in addition to the workgroups, and facilitating fewer workgroups in a larger structure that allow for better participation and for participants to feel less overwhelmed.

Keywords: human trafficking, sex trafficking, labor trafficking, anti-trafficking coalitions, collaborative community responses, coordinated community responses, interagency coalitions