Source + trust record
Source checked as of September 18, 2026. Primary authority: EDD WSD18-09 and EDD’s current Active Directives list.
Check result: WSD18-09 remains active California guidance for serving and referring victims of human trafficking. Workforce staff are service and referral partners, not investigators. The directive supports trauma-informed service, safety, confidentiality, appropriate referrals, and continued access to eligible workforce services without requiring staff to obtain unnecessary details about the trafficking experience. This AI-assisted brief does not receive human legal or compliance review. Official sources control.
WDB decision strip
| STATUS | ACTION | PRIMARY OWNER | CURRENT TIMING | IMPACT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FINAL · ACTIVE | MAINTAIN SAFE REFERRAL PATHWAYS | AJCC Program + Partner Leadership | When trafficking indicators or disclosure arise | Human trafficking · Trauma-informed service · Referrals · Safety |
The bottom line
Workforce staff should be prepared to recognize possible trafficking, respond without increasing danger, and connect the person to qualified help. AJCCs are not investigative agencies; the operational priority is a trauma-informed, confidential, safety-conscious referral process that preserves access to workforce services.
Workforce staff are not investigators, but they need a safe, trauma-informed pathway for customers who disclose or appear to be experiencing human trafficking
WSD18-09 provides guidance for serving and referring victims of human trafficking in California’s workforce system. It emphasizes appropriate access to workforce services, confidentiality and safety, coordination with specialized organizations, and avoiding practices that could retraumatize or endanger a customer.
At a glance
Issued
January 31, 2019
Approach
Trauma-informed
Role
Service + referral
Priority
Safety and confidentiality
Executive takeaway
A customer does not need to become an expert in trafficking systems before receiving workforce help. AJCC staff should know how to respond to disclosures without pressing for unnecessary details, connect the individual with qualified victim-service resources, and continue providing eligible workforce services in a manner that protects privacy and safety.
A safer frontline response
- Listen without requiring the person to prove or fully recount traumatic experiences.
- Do not contact a suspected trafficker, employer, or other third party without appropriate consent and safety consideration.
- Use private communication methods when possible.
- Offer specialized victim-service referrals and emergency resources when needed.
- Continue assessing eligibility for workforce services under the applicable program rules.
Role clarity: Workforce staff should not conduct a trafficking investigation. Their job is to recognize potential risk, respond appropriately, preserve access to services, and make a safe referral.
Operational considerations for Local Boards
- Maintain current local referral contacts for trafficking, domestic violence, legal, housing, and emergency services.
- Train customer-facing staff on trauma-informed response and confidentiality.
- Review intake practices for questions that may create unnecessary risk or retraumatization.
- Establish a discreet escalation pathway when immediate safety concerns arise.
- Include trafficking-related referral capacity in broader barrier-removal and partner strategies.
Source basis
Primary source: EDD WSD18-09 — Services and Referrals to Victims of Human Trafficking