Established by Council Bill 52-2019, the council advises the county government on human trafficking prevention issues in Howard County and conducts outreach and education on prevention to spread awareness of the warning signs of human trafficking. Council appointees serve staggered terms of service ranging between one and five years as required by Sec. 6.300 of the Howard County Code.



"In order to maintain safe and engaged communities across Howard County, we must eradicate all forms of human trafficking in Howard County," said Howard County Executive Calvin Ball. "I am thankful to the Human Trafficking Prevention Council for bringing together many different community stakeholders to spread awareness and prevention about the dangers of human trafficking. I encourage residents who have interest or experience in this issue to apply to be a member of this council."



The council is comprised of ex-officio representatives from the department of community resources and services, health department, police department, office of human rights, department of social services, State's Attorney's Office and sheriff's office, as well as a representative from the Howard County Commission for Women and the Howard County Public School System.

Representatives from the private sector must include at least two representatives from the faith community, a representative from HoCo AGAST (Howard County Advocacy Group Against Slavery and Trafficking) or a similar group which provides intervention and advocacy on behalf of human trafficking victims, a representative from HopeWorks, Grassroot Crisis Intervention Center and the Howard County General Hospital, two representatives from the survivor community, one representative from the general public and one representative from the business community.



To be eligible for consideration, applicants must be 18 years of age or older, have an interest in and/or experience with matters involving human trafficking prevention or services to victims of human trafficking and be able to attend the council's regular meetings which will be held monthly at a date and time to be determined. Meetings will be held at the department of community resources and services office, located at 9830 Patuxent Woods Drive in Columbia.



Applicants should send a resume and brief letter explaining why they are interested in serving on the council by email to kpruim@howardcountymd.gov or by mail to Howard County Government, Office of the County Executive, Attn: Kimberly Pruim, 3430 Court House Drive, Ellicott City, MD 21043. The names of eligible applicants will be submitted to the County Executive for approval and then to the County Council for confirmation.