Pennsylvania Awarded $250,000 for Trafficking Program
The state has funded the expansion of the Salvation Army's New Day to Stop Trafficking Program across eastern Pennsylvania.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Sex Crimes
The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services granted $250,000 to the Salvation Army of Eastern Pennsylvania. This funding will expand the reach of the New Day to Stop Trafficking Program to more communities beyond Philadelphia.
Why it matters
The grant aims to provide broader access to trauma-informed case management and housing navigation services for survivors of human trafficking. By scaling these efforts, the state intends to support more victims throughout the eastern region.
The New Day to Stop Trafficking Program served more than 1,100 people in 2025. This government grant will support the scaling of services that have operated in Philadelphia for 15 years.
The players
Pennsylvania Department of Human Services
This state agency administers public programs and social service funding throughout Pennsylvania.
Salvation Army of Eastern Pennsylvania
This faith-based organization provides social services and humanitarian aid across the eastern portion of the state.
The details
The Salvation Army will utilize the $250,000 to replicate the trauma-informed support model developed in Philadelphia across eastern Pennsylvania. The initiative focuses on essential survivor support through housing navigation and intensive case management.
Timeline
The New Day to Stop Trafficking Program was established in 2011.
The program served over 1,100 people during 2025.
State lawmakers disclosed the $250,000 grant on September 23, 2026.
Legal Context
This expansion follows the national policy framework set by the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 by scaling local survivor assistance. It marks a transition from city-specific pilot initiatives to broader state-level support models.
Residents in eastern Pennsylvania may see an increase in available support services and outreach as the program scales up. The funding is intended to improve survivor access to housing stability and long-term case management resources in their local communities.
The takeaway
The investment underscores a shift toward regionalizing specialized survivor care to meet growing demand. Expanding proven, trauma-informed models can provide more consistent pathways to stability for trafficking victims.
Further reading
For more information on ongoing efforts to address trafficking, visit the Sex Crimes section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by MyChesCo.
