It seems like yesterday that the initial funding for the Open Doors Outreach Network was received, and the team at Voices for Florida was working around the clock to develop an implementation plan to pilot services across the state. Fast forward 3 years later, we have much to celebrate since launching services in July 2017. 31 reasons to celebrate, in fact!
We recently featured many factors contributing to our successful three years of services on social media, but in case you missed it here are highlights (bolded below) of our 31 reasons to celebrate:
Network Growth through Collective Impact
As our President, Linda always says, “you can’t keep doing things the same way and expect different results.” This is exactly why we use the collective impact approach to achieve success with Open Doors Outreach Network. Applying the principles of this approach, the Voices for Florida team provides backbone support for Open Doors, which consists of vital vision and strategy, mobilization of funding, accountability and quality assurance, centralized data collection, evaluation and more to facilitate the continual performance improvement and scale of the Network.
The backbone support we provide ensures that Network Providers, Delores Barr Weaver Policy Center, More Too Life and One More Child, can focus on offering high quality, trauma-competent care to victims. We’re so proud that over 1,000 victims have been served with over 134,000 hours of care by our Network Providers!
24/7/365 Coordinated Services through Outreach Teams
Following the seven guiding principles of our model, Outreach Teams consisting of Survivor-Mentors, Regional Advocates, and Clinicians provide trauma-competent care and treatment to victims. The needs of this population are so complex, but through coordination, Outreach Teams are able to assist with everything from court advocacy to coordination of victims between regions.
Besides caring for victims of sex trafficking, our Outreach Teams are also committed to providing both external education at national and statewide conferences and community awareness by presenting at local schools and associations. Outreach Teams use their platform to bring attention to this complex problem and the role everyone can play in its prevention.
Voices regularly facilitates professional development of Outreach Team members through continuous training and education efforts. In June, we held our first Virtual Core Training consisting of incredible presenters from the Department of Juvenile Justice, Florida Council Against Sexual Violence, Florida Housing Coalition, Kristi House, and more. These training and education efforts have been a major factor in continuing Open Doors services during COVID-19.
Partnerships to Achieve Impact
Collective impact emphasizes how the strongest outcomes are achieved by working together. Throughout the state, the Open Doors Outreach Network has developed over 650 community partnerships! By partnering with community organizations, state and local government, family and community foundations and more, Voices is dedicated to achieving coordinated collaboration.
Attorney General Ashley Moody and the Office of the Attorney General, as well as the entire Florida Legislature were essential to our success by supporting this model and believing better results for victims of sex trafficking could be achieved through a collective impact approach.
Also crucial to the Network are Florida’s State Agencies, including the Department of Children and Families, Department of Juvenile Justice, Department of Education and Department of Health, and the Human Trafficking Taskforces across the state. We regularly collaborate with these agencies to refer victims to the network and ensure services are following best practices.
To maximize impact of services to sex trafficked children and young adults, we’re so grateful to partner with Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation, Gulf Coast Community Foundation, The Libertore Fund for Children and our committed donor base.
Finally, our Affiliate, The Children’s Campaign plays a major role in our continued achievements. Their legislative advocacy and internship support through The Apprenticeship Center ensures the viability of the Open Doors Outreach Network year after year.
And how could we forget our Advocate Fur Change! Right now, Hoyt’s sleeping on the job in my home office, but he can’t wait to be lifting our team’s spirits when we can finally reunite to Create the Change together.
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About the Author
Robyn Metcalf
Robyn Metcalf is the statewide director of the Open Doors Outreach Network, a 24/7/365 network of care for victims and survivors of sex trafficking age 10-24 in 32 Florida counties.
Metcalf received her Bachelor of Social Work degree, Masters of Social Work (MSW) with a concentration in Social Policy and Administration and Masters of Public Administration (MPA) from Florida State University. She was named a 2020 Notable Nole from the Florida State University Alumni Association, recognizing graduates that have made exceptional achievements and significant contributions to his or her profession, community/society or the university. In 2016, the College of Social Work recognized Robyn with the Distinguished Young Alumni Award, a prestigious award recognizing outstanding graduates within the past 10 years who have demonstrated significant leadership and exceptional contributions to social work.
Metcalf is a former Guardian ad Litem, Relay for Life of North Leon Leadership Committee Member, Volunteer Training Assistant with 211 Big Bend, and is a current member of the Junior League of Tallahassee. She also serves as Treasurer for the Florida State University College of Social Work Alumni Group.
