Hillsborough County Commission on Human Trafficking Meeting - May 28, 2026

The Hillsborough County Commission on Human Trafficking (COHT) held a board meeting on May 28, 2026, at 1:00 PM in the 26th Floor Conference Rooms A & B of the Fred B. Karl County Center, Tampa, FL. The meeting covered presentations of certificates of appreciation, public comment, reports from the Vice Chair and Steering Committee, committee reports, staff updates, and new business. Key outcomes included approval of a $25,000 contract expansion for One More Child's Loft 181 program and approval of up to $18,000 for the Selah Freedom/SOAP project for hotel/motel outreach.

Consent Calendar

• Motion to approve the meeting minutes from January 22, 2026, passed unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Joselyn Vasquez, Anti-Trafficking Team Coordinator for One More Child, offered support and was available to answer any questions about the Loft 181 program and the proposed contract expansion.
• Kristen Bracy, Director of SAFE Alliance of Tampa Bay, presented on the alliance's collaborative work across 5–6 counties, including quarterly convenings, virtual luncheon learns, and working groups. She invited official partnership with COHT.
• Nancy Hernandez, survivor and founder of Ministerio Mujeres Restaurades Por Dios, described her personal experience as a trafficking survivor and her 15 years of outreach, including providing food (5 million pounds annually), family support, and working with law enforcement. She requested stronger community cooperation and noted her organization relies on donations rather than grants.
• Shayla Gonzalez (Crisis Center of Tampa Bay) spoke briefly about a potential project with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, modeled after the Jacksonville Dandelion Project, which educates attendees at sporting events about human trafficking.

Discussion Items

• Steering Committee Report (Vice Chair Dotti Groover-Skipper):
  • A strategic plan review subcommittee met virtually on May 6, 2026, but quorum was not met. Revisions are ongoing, with a draft expected for the June steering committee and final approval in July. Members are invited to send edits to the administrator to avoid Sunshine Law violations.
  • Two funding proposals were discussed:
    • One More Child – Loft 181: $25,000 to expand the existing contract for a clothing boutique serving teenage girls (13–18) in foster care or at risk of trafficking. In 2025, 462 girls were served; as of March 2026, 304 girls had been served, and 7 confirmed trafficking victims were identified. The expansion would support pop-up events and increased capacity.
    • Selah Freedom/SOAP Project: A hotel/motel outreach program modeled after a successful Pinellas County initiative that reached 23 hotels. The budget was refined from $10,000–$15,000 to not exceed $18,000, covering four June dates (40 hotels) and a larger August event (115 hotels) led by Teresa Flores of the national SOAP project. Member Misty Halsey recused herself from the vote due to her employment with Selah Freedom.
• Chair’s Report (Connie Rose):
  • The strategic plan update is in process; a subcommittee is working on revisions and will report back.
• Staff Report (Lisa Montelione, Administrator):
  • Anti-Trafficking Campaign: FKQ launched a Facebook page titled "Don't Buy It, Tampa Bay" and is working on Instagram. The page is hosted by FKQ, not Hillsborough County.
  • Public Awareness Mural: The maintenance agreement with the City of Tampa has been signed. The mural, at the Marion Street bus terminal near I-75, is expected to begin in September 2026 (weather permitting). This is the first project in Florida coordinated with FDOT.
  • Membership Updates: New members include Stefanie Simon (State Attorney’s Office, primary) and Captain Malave (replacing Captain Carlisle from Temple Terrace Police Department). The 90-day moratorium on appointments during the election year was noted.
  • Children’s Network Contract: $100,500 encumbered; 17 youth have been served (9 community, 8 foster care). $13,000 invoiced so far.
  • Training Proposal: Staff suggested training the Hillsborough County Property Appraiser’s office to identify signs of human trafficking—potentially a first in the nation. No vote was taken; staff will explore resources and report back.
  • Events: Staff attended the FDLE Statewide Meeting on Human Trafficking; a Human Trafficking Summit is upcoming.
  • Survivor Ventures: The awardee of the Emergency Housing Voucher program was announced; a presentation is pending.
• New Business:
  • COHT voted to seek non-binding partnership with SAFE Alliance and the Free Network.
  • Governor DeSantis appointed Khari James and Emilie Oglesby to the Statewide Council on Human Trafficking.
  • Staff obtained human trafficking field guides from FDLE and will order more upon request.
  • A potential project with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, modeled after Jacksonville’s Dandelion Project, was mentioned for future discussion; the Crisis Center may be involved in funding.

Key Outcomes

• Vote: Approval of Loft 181 Contract Expansion: Motion passed unanimously to increase the existing contract by $25,000 for One More Child’s Loft 181 program.
• Vote: Approval of Selah Freedom/SOAP Project Funding: Motion passed to approve up to $18,000 (not to exceed) for hotel/motel outreach, with Member Halsey recused.
• Vote: Partnership with SAFE Alliance and Free Network: Approved unanimously to seek non-binding partnership.
• Referral: Staff will proceed to develop training for the Hillsborough County Property Appraiser’s office on human trafficking indicators, with a report expected at the June steering committee meeting.
• Next Steps: Strategic plan review continues; a draft will be presented at the June steering committee meeting for final approval in July. The steering committee will meet June 25, 2026, and the full board on July 23, 2026.
• Meeting Adjourned: 2:08 PM (approximate).