New York’s Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance is falling short in ensuring survivors of human trafficking get the help they’re entitled to, according to a new audit from State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.
The audit, released Tuesday, found gaps in how the agency tracks, manages, and delivers support through its Response to Human Trafficking Program (RHTP). While services such as housing, legal aid, and mental health counseling are available, the report said weak oversight and poor communication are preventing many survivors from receiving critical care.
Between January 2019 and October 2023, the state confirmed 1,384 survivors of human trafficking. Of those, 64% were referred to local Department of Social Services offices while 36% were sent to nonprofit service providers. But more than half of the survivors sent to social services offices never followed through — a failure the audit linked to OTDA’s lack of monitoring.
Auditors found that OTDA does not track which services survivors use, nor does it confirm if they ever connect with a provider after visiting a DSS office. Case files often lacked basic documentation like case management plans, signed applications, or health assessments, and providers reported confusion about requirements and expectations.
Delays in confirming survivor status were another concern. Though state law requires OTDA and the Division of Criminal Justice Services to confirm cases within six days, nearly a quarter took longer — in some instances more than 15 days. Auditors said there was no clear justification for these delays in several cases.
The audit also revealed underuse of state funds. As of June 2024, just 39% of available funds had been spent by 11 providers — three years into their five-year contracts. One provider, unaware of RHTP’s benefits, spent only a quarter of its $1 million award because OTDA failed to communicate the full scope of the program until a site visit in early 2024.
DiNapoli’s office recommended that OTDA enhance data collection and oversight, improve communication with providers, and better define the responsibilities of DSS staff. In response, OTDA largely rejected the findings, blaming disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and staffing shortages among providers.
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