Survivor-Written Trauma-Informed Industry-Endorsed
Are you committed to providing the best care possible for trafficking survivors? At Safe House Project, we empower safe homes to meet national standards and deliver high-quality, ethical, and sustainable care. We understand the challenges faced by trafficking survivor-focused programs; our Safe House Certification is designed to validate and enhance your program’s management, governance, and operations, ensuring survivors receive the support they need to heal and thrive.
What is Safe House Certification?
Safe House Certification is more than a credential; it’s a comprehensive process that assesses and elevates the quality of residential services for trafficking survivors. Our program ensures your safe home empowers survivors, meets national standards, and builds credibility with donors, foundations, and government agencies. By aligning with these standards, your organization demonstrates a commitment to continuous improvement and excellence in care.
Benefits of Safe House Certification
The Role of Education in Certification
Understanding and addressing the common misconceptions about human trafficking is critical. Certified programs are equipped with the knowledge and resources to educate their staff and communities, ensuring that the care provided is grounded in accurate, trauma-informed practices. This commitment to education not only improves the quality of care but also helps combat misinformation about human trafficking.
Endorsements
How Does the Certification Process Work?
2025 Certification Deadline Dates
To ensure your certification process is completed efficiently, please review the 2025 deadline dates for each stage of the process. This timeline helps guide your program through application, review, and certification.
Certified Safe Home Programs
(Certification levels may vary across programs within these organizations.
Explore our complete list of certified safe home programs here.)
FAQ
WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR SAFE HOME CERTIFICATION?
Non-profit organizations that operate full-time emergency, long-term, or transitional programs serving international, undocumented, and domestic trafficking survivors in the United States.
CAN OUR PROGRAM GET CERTIFIED IF WE SERVE SURVIVORS OF SEXUAL EXPLOITATION DURING LABOR TRAFFICKING?
Yes, your organization is eligible for certification.
WE HAVE A BED AVAILABLE FOR TRAFFICKING SURVIVORS IN OUR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OR HOMELESS SHELTER. ARE WE ELIGIBLE?
Yes, if your organization provides trafficking-specific programming or services.
OUR RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM OPERATES ONLY DURING THE WEEK. ARE WE ELIGIBLE?
No, only full-time residential care programs qualify for certification.
OUR PROGRAM HAS BEEN OPEN FOR LESS THAN A YEAR. ARE WE ELIGIBLE?
Yes, but you may only qualify for the Emerging Leader badge.
CAN OUR PROGRAM GET CERTIFIED IF WE SERVE UNDOCUMENTED OR INTERNATIONAL SURVIVORS?
Yes, as long as the survivors were trafficked within the United States.
Continual Learning and Improvement
Certification is just the beginning of your journey toward excellence in care. We encourage ongoing education and adaptation to new methodologies to continually enhance the effectiveness of your program. Explore our additional resources and educational content to stay informed and proactive in your mission to support trafficking survivors.
Certification Review Board
The WellHouse is a leader in providing restorative care within a residential setting on a beautiful 63-acre campus. Its services are tailored to address all areas of need and support restorative healing, offering therapy, case management, life skills training, and educational opportunities. As CEO of The WellHouse for the past nine years, Carolyn Potter has witnessed lives once thought hopeless transform dramatically. Survivors of unimaginable atrocities have regained their lives, living with renewed purpose. For Carolyn, it has been a treasured privilege to play a role in supporting these incredible transformations.
Tawfik Jarjour is a Consultant at Accenture who focuses on helping High Tech and Software companies thrive in a post-covid, purpose filled, and value driven world by leveraging the best of Accenture. Tawfik serves his alma mater Rice University through his work on standing committees and the CCD Advisory Board. He is a fan of cooking, hiking, traveling, and meeting great people around the globe.
Andrea Hipwell is currently serves as the Director of Participant Transition and Persistence at Wellspring Living in Atlanta, GA. Andrea graduated from the Wellspring Living Women’s Residential Program in 2009 after being exploited for over 10 years. She is passionate about survivor leadership as she understands the importance of including survivor voices in the development of programs and services for survivors. Andrea is well versed in the areas of trauma informed care and strength based leadership and care. She has been recognized for her incredible determination and motivation for change in the area of survivor leadership and her tenacity to support survivors as they begin a new life. Andrea earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in the area of Criminal Justice from Georgia Gwinnett College in 2016. Andrea serves on the GA Statewide Human Trafficking Task Force, the GA Coalition to Combat Human Trafficking, was appointed to the National Advisory Council on Human Trafficking in 2020 to serve a term of 2 years, and was recently reappointed to serve a term of another 2 years until 2024.
Emily is a passionate clinical social worker dedicated to engaging with individuals through a trauma-informed, healing-centered, relational approach. She is committed to fostering cohesion within the work environment and recognizes the value of a diverse-minded, team-centered workspace.
Her primary area of focus is in anti-violence and trauma healing with women. She brings specialized experience working with survivors of chronic and complex sexual violence, including commercial sexual exploitation and trafficking.
