Engaging Minds Services, INC. Presents
Coastal Region Human Trafficking Conference
Coastal Region Human Trafficking Conference 2021
The Coastal Region Task Force is brings together representatives of social service agencies, state, federal and local government agencies, criminal justice agencies, researchers, faith-based organizations, and business leaders, to lay groundwork for future collaborative projects, advocacy, and program development for human trafficking.
The purpose of our conferences is to educate social service, hospitality, health care, and criminal justice professionals on human trafficking and the needs and risks of those victimized by the commercial sex and labor industry.
**15.6 CEUs are offered for healthcare, advocate, law enforcement and social worker professionals. **
Topics on Agenda
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Neurobiology and Trauma Informed Care
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Human Trafficking 101
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Men and Boys in Sex Trade
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Sex Trafficking Awareness in Healthcare
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Interfaith and Victim Advocacy
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Children and Sex Trafficking
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Law Enforcement Perspective
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Social Services Role in Human Trafficking
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Labor Trafficking
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Hotels Role in Human Trafficking
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Making of a Task Force
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Creating a Resource Center and Safe-house
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LGBTQ in sex trafficking
Our
Speakers
Kathryn Moorehead is the Director of Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and Human Trafficking Programs at the South Carolina Office of the Attorney General. Kathryn is also the Coordinator of the South Carolina Human Trafficking Task Force. She brings nearly 25 years of experience in the fields of education, social work, community advocacy, and public health.
Prior to joining the Office of the Attorney General, Kathryn was the Country Director for an international counter-human trafficking NGO overseeing their operations in Cambodia. She also consulted for a year in Guyana, South America with the country’s only organization providing legal and support services to survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking. Her work experience includes therapeutic programming and community-based initiatives as well as partnerships with NGOs and governments in the United States, South America, Central America, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. Kathryn was also a Research Assistant at Harvard University and an Integrated English Educator in the U.S. Peace Corps (Sri Lanka and Poland).
Kathryn
Moorehead
She graduated from Wheaton College in Norton, MA with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and earned a Master of Education in Risk and Prevention from Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education. While in graduate school, Kathryn independently researched, filmed, and produced a documentary short film exploring the impact of community violence on adolescent girls in Boston. The film has been used at the graduate school in a course focused on trauma, interventions, and cross-cultural issues. She also earned a post-graduate certificate in Nonprofit Management and Leadership from Boston University’s School of Management.
Kathryn is a member of the Board of Directors for the South Carolina Victim Assistance Network. She represents South Carolina in the DHHS/ACF Region IV Human Trafficking Advisory Group composed of eight states, sits on the Steering Committee for the National Human Trafficking Compendium, and is a member of the Capacity and Community Building Subcommittee for the National Human Trafficking & Disabilities Work Group. She is also a member of the SC Governor’s Juvenile Justice Advisory Council, the SC Joint Council on Children and Adolescents, and the Inter-Agency Network for Education in Emergencies. She was awarded the Wheaton College Alumnae/i Community Service Achievement Award in May 2012 and a Women of Influence Award from the Columbia Regional Business Report in June 2018.
CPT. Sherri Smith
Captain Sherri Smith graduated from Coastal Carolina College with a BA Degree in Political Science. Smith began her law enforcement career with the Georgetown Police Department in 1993 and served as their law enforcement victim advocate (LEVA) from 1999 until 2006. Smith received her police officer certification in 2006 and was assigned to the investigative division. During her time with the Georgetown Police Department, Smith worked with all crime victims, but concentrated on violence against women to include Criminal Domestic Violence and Criminal Sexual Assault. Smith served as a board member for the Women’s Safe Harbour Foundation, a non-profit group that partnered with Citizens against Spouse Abuse (CASA) and opened a domestic violence shelter in Georgetown. This shelter is still open today and is under the management of the Family Justice Center. She is also a past board member of the Rape Crisis Center of Myrtle Beach.
Smith has worked for the Horry County Sheriff’s Office since 2008. She was promoted to Captain in 2021 and is responsible for the overall operations of the Sheriff’s Office. Smith also serves as the chair of the S.C. Attorney General’s Human Trafficking Taskforce for the Coastal Region.
Smith is married and has two adult daughters.
Shelbia Carter Wiley is married with two children and five grandchildren. She holds an Associate degree in Business Administration, Bachelor of Arts (Psychology and Christian Counseling), M.S. in Education with a concentration in Leadership in Educational Administration and an Advanced degree in Theology. Shelbia is a member of the Coastal Region Human Trafficking Taskforce and serves as the co-chair for the Interfaith Committee of Horry and Georgetown counties.
She is the Executive Director of Engaging Minds Services, Inc., a nonprofit that focuses on providing services for victims of human trafficking and abuse. Through collaboration, relationship building, and mentorship, she has put together a team that focuses on providing best practices for survivors of human trafficking. Her team is in the process of building a safehouse for survivors of human trafficking.
Shelbia is an author of two books, Mental Exoneration and Don’t Touch My Golden Parts. She is a Special Education teacher in the Horry County Schools and a Teaching Associate at Coastal Carolina University.
Shelbia Wiley
LT. Jade Roy
Lieutenant Jade Roy serves as the supervisor of the Human Trafficking Unit within Alcohol and Vice Services at the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division. He brings over 10 years of experience in the fields of criminal investigations and training. Prior to joining the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, Jade was a criminal investigator with the Myrtle Beach Police Department working in the Violent Crimes Unit. He joined SLED in 2016 serving as a Special Agent within the Alcohol Enforcement Unit. In 2018, SLED took the necessary steps to establish a unit specifically designed to investigate human trafficking related crimes. It was at that time Jade was able come to the human trafficking unit bringing his experiences of working criminal investigations with him.
Jade graduated from The Citadel in Charleston, SC with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science-International and Military Affairs. While in college, Jade was able to spend a summer abroad studying in China where he and other students traveled across the country meeting with different communities and studying diplomacy. In his final year as a cadet, The Citadel Board of Visitors presented Jade with the Citadel’s Palmetto Medal, one of the highest honors the college can bestow for exceptional performance that reflects great credit on The Citadel or the State of South Carolina.
College St. Louis University, graduated B.S. in Biology 1982.
Medical School The University of Health Sciences 1987.
Internship Dallas Family Hospital 1988.
Emergency Medicine Residency 1988-1990
Emergency Physician at Conway Medical Center 1990 -2005
Tidelands Hospital 2005- 2017
Medical Director at Children’s Recovery Center 1994 – present
Member of Horry County Child Fatality Review Board, South Carolina Methamphetamine Task Force, American Professional Society of the Abuse of Children (APSAC) and American Osteopathic Medicine
Multiple trainings on Child Maltreatment
In 1995, Carol Rahter, DO went to work with a child abuse task force to plan and seek grants to fund an ideal environment that would offer abused children forensic interviews and medical exams in a comfortable, non-threatening atmosphere. The first advocacy center opened in a one-room psychiatric outpatient facility in Conway. The center, then known as CHIP, quickly outgrew the space and moved to a leased home, also in Conway. It wasn’t fancy, but 41 children still found the care and support they needed to begin to heal due to Dr. Rahter’s efforts.
The Children’s Recovery Center (CRC) is a nonprofit community organization, which completes its work using your donations. The CRC has grown from that one room house serving 41 children to two buildings serving nearly 400 children in 2020
Dr. Carol Rahter
Bevelyn
Mitchell
Bevelyn Mitchell is the Outreach & Community Awareness Coordinator for Rape Crisis. She earned a social work degree from South Carolina State University, and a masters from Springfield College.
Her primary responsibilities at Rape Crisis were to develop a SART, "Sexual Assault Response Team" in Horry and Georgetown counties. The SART team is an interagency-interdisciplinary team, consisting of first responders including law enforcement, emergency room personnel, rape crisis center advocates, educators, clergy, and community advocates.The mean focus is to educate the community regarding the prevalence of sexual violence, elder abuse, human trafficking, and stalking and how these crimes can eventually lead to chronic health issues and mental illness. Bev provides education, awareness, and training to organizations, emergency room staff, faith community, educators, law enforcement and the public. One of her focuses is to equip our community with the knowledge needed spread the word about the services we provide for anyone who is a victim of all types of crime.
Bev and her husband Gregory, has two adult children Mitch and Ashleigh, and one grandson Trey.
RN, BSN, CLNC, SANE-A, SANE -P
Natalie J Darby has been a nurse for 18 years. Earned an Associates of Sciences in Nursing at Gloucester County College in 2003, a Bachelors in Nursing from Chamberlain College of Nursing 2019, and a Masters in Forensic Nursing from Texas A&M University 2021. She has her own business as a Certified Legal Nurse Consultant since 2013. She has been a sexual assault nurse examiner since 2015 and was certified in both adult and pediatric. She teaches Trauma Nursing Core Course (TNCC) and Emergency Nursing Pediatric Course. She educates advocates at the Rape Crisis Center in Horry and Georgetown County. She is the healthcare chair for the Healthcare Human Trafficking Task Force. She is a member of Engaging Minds Services SANE Program.
Natalie J Darby
Vanessa Suggs
Vanessa Suggs is a nurse from Loris, SC with nine years of experience. She received her ADN from Horry-Georgetown Technical College in 2011 and received her BSN from Coastal Carolina University in 2019, where she was recognized for her outstanding student achievement in nursing. She was inducted into the Chi Lambda Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Honor Society in 2021. Vanessa is currently a student in Francis Marion University’s BSN-to-DNP program for Family Nurse Practitioner. Her doctoral project is titled, “Challenging First Impressions: Training Healthcare Professionals to Identify Victims of Human Trafficking in the Emergency Department.”
Vanessa first learned about human trafficking while attending the Passion Conference in Atlanta, GA in 2014. She has since served as a medical missionary in Honduras and the Dominican Republic, where she first worked with victims of human trafficking. In 2015, Vanessa participated in a community awareness event at Belin United Methodist Church, raising awareness on signs of human trafficking in the community. She continues to be passionate about educating healthcare professionals to identify victims of human trafficking in their patient population.
Elizabeth Somboun is a SURVIVOR of human trafficking. She thrives in her job as a licensed Life Coach. She spends countless hours helping others that are victimized and traumatized by human trafficking, domestic violence and abuse. Elizabeth was sexually trafficked at the age of three to four by her step father. She was tortured and sold out by her stepfather on many occasions. Her step father made a lot of money selling her for commercial sex. She endured horrific abuse. She healed through time and is currently married.
She wrote her autobiography called Elevators of My Life which depicts her life story.. She also completed a surrogacy. Her book can be found on Amazon, Good Reads, Google Books, etc. In her free time she bakes and is an avid photographer. She takes her faith seriously and brings light to the sex trafficking industry whenever, the opportunity arises.
Elizabeth
Sumboun
Alma Sierra
My name is Alma Sierra. I am a Law Enforcement Deputy and Supervisor over the Crime Victim Unit for the Georgetown County Sheriff’s Office where I have been employed since 2010 (11 years). In 20I6, I became the Public Information Officer for about two months and quickly realized that advocacy is where my heart lies. Being an advocate for me is an act of service, it is using your voice to influence change. Serving victims of crime, being their voice when they feel as they don’t have one and helping them move what to them seems like a mountain is what inspires me to advocate every day. Advocacy for me is not a just a job; it is a ministry. It is my passion and what I was called to do which is to serve others. I am an avid supporter of my community where I strive to bridge the gap when there is a language barrier in the Hispanic community and with the underserved. I have been blessed to be married to my best friend, husband and Pastor for 26 years now and have the great honor to at his side pastor our church along our three adult children ages 22, 23 and 24. I was raised in a law enforcement family and love to be able to continue the passion to serve, protect and defend.
Roger Acton just wrapped up the first quarter, of his fifth year, as the Faith Based Victim Services Project Director, with the South Carolina Victim Assistance Network (www.scvan.org/faith), along with his Assistant Project Director and Community Outreach Coordinator, Arelis Alcantara. This SCVAN department’s priority is connecting all faith communities with the powerful support of all violent crime victim services for victims and their families. In compliment to his SCVAN work, Roger, at the beginning of 2020, was appointed by Attorney General Alan Wilson as the Subcommittee Chair of the new Interfaith Initiative for the South Carolina Human Trafficking Task Force. And he is a second year Board Member at Large with the Interfaith Partners of SC.
Roger is also a part time chaplain with Marketplace Chaplains, (www.marketplacechaplains.org) providing ministry support to the staff of multiple businesses in the Midlands, as part of their employee benefits. Covering a span of almost 30 years, he has enjoyed ministering in Florida, Texas and South Carolina, including about a year as a hospice chaplain, and several years as a volunteer hospital chaplain. Prior to Roger’s ministry call, he worked in sales, marketing, plus interspersed retail work with Lifeway Christian Resources, while ministering in South Carolina. With his wife, Cathy, they are celebrating 28 years of marriage, and are blessed with two awesome, collegiate daughters, Micah and Faith.
Roger
Acton
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Regena
Townsend
Regena Townsend is a Law Enforcement Victim Advocate with twenty years of experience. She graduated from the South Carolina Victim Assistance Academy in 2009 with a certificate in victim services. She specializes in providing assistance to victims of crime. She is currently a victim services provider with the Dillon County Sheriff's Office.
Prior to becoming a Law Enforcement Victim Advocate, Regena graduated with honors from the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy in 1997 with a certificate in Basic Jail. Also graduating in 1999 with a certificate in Jail Management. She was a detention officer for several years. In this role she supervised a team of officers, ensured the safety and accountability of inmates as well as officers and ensured protocol was followed on a daily basis.
Schedule
Day 1
7:30am-8:00am
Registration
8:00am-8:15am
Open Remarks
8:15am-9:15am
Stay & Go by Judge Buchannan
Coastal Region Human Trafficking Task Force
Day 2
8:00am-8:15am
Open Remarks
Survivor
8:15am-9:15am
9:15am-9:45am
Colin Trimble
9:45am-10:15am
Hotels/Motels
Day 3
8:00am-8:15am
Open Remarks
8:15am-9:15am
Survivor
9:15am-10:15am
Making of a Task Force
10:15am-11:45am
Creating A Resource Center & Safehouse
Steve Michaels
9:15am-9:45am
Neurobiology and Trauma Informed Care
Natalie Darby
9:45am-10:00am
BREAK
10:00am-10:30am
Human Trafficking 101
Alyssa Mckensize
10:30am-11:00am
Team Approach
Sherri Smith
11:00am-11:30am
Victim Advocates
Beverly, Alma, Bevelyn & Louise
11:30am-12:00pm
Men and Boys in Sex Trade
12:00pm-12:45pm
Lunch Networking
12:45pm-1:15pm
Victim Speak
Savannah Parvu
1:15pm-1:45pm
Sex Trafficking Awareness in HealthCare
Vanessa Suggs
1:45pm-2:15pm
Interfaith & Victim Advocacy
Roger Acton & Arelis Alcantara
2:15pm-2:45pm
Children & Sex Trafficking
Dr. Carol Rather
10:15am-10:45am
11:00am-12:00pm
Behind The Professional Lies A Monster
Shelbia Wiley
Closing Remarks
***7.2 CEU***
10:45am-11:00am
BREAK
11:00am-12:00pm
Lunch & Safehouse Discussion
Allysa McKenizie
12:00pm-1:00pm
Break Out Sessions
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Law Enforcement
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Healthcare
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Interfaith
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Advocates
1:00pm-2:00pm
Break Out Sessions
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Law Enforcement
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Healthcare
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Interfaith
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Advocates
2:00pm-3:00pm
Break Out Sessions
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Law Enforcement
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Healthcare
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Interfaith
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Advocates
3:00pm-4:00pm
Break Out Sessions
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Law Enforcement
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Healthcare
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Interfaith
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Advocates
4:00pm-5:00pm
Questions for Survivors
***7.2 CEU***
2:45pm-3:00pm
BREAK
3:00pm-3:30pm
Law Enforcement Perspective
Lt. Jade Roy
3:30pm-4:00pm
Social Service Role in Human Trafficking
Regina Townsend
4:00pm-4:15pm
Closing Remarks
***4.9 CEU***
300 North Ocean Boulevard, North Myrtle Beach, SC, 29582
Avista
Resort
MAKING RESERVATIONS
Select your preferred room type from below and call our Central Reservations Toll Free:(877) 238-4487
Please let the Reservationists know that you are calling to book a room under the Group Block with Reservation #2745171
You will need a credit card to pay the required deposit to reserve your individual room (you also have the option to pay in full) or send a check or money order within 10 days. The remaining balance will be due at Check In. (We accept: American Express, MasterCard, Visa, & Discover). You will need to bring the credit card used with a photo id with you when you arrive.
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Arrival: January 20, 2022 Check-In: 4:00 PM
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Departure: January 22, 2022 Check-Out: 11:00AM
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Cutoff date for reservations will be Dec 21, 2021
**Group rates good three days before group blocked dates! **
ALL RESERVATIONS BASED ON AVAILABILITY
We cannot guarantee that all rooms will be near each other and special requests are a request, no Guarantees. Some room types have very limited availability.
**Parking Permits: 1 car per 1 bedroom and 2 cars per 2 & 3 bedroom condos.**
ROOM OPTIONS & PRICING PER NIGHT
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3-Bedroom Condo Oceanfront - ANS- $167.00 3-bedroom, 3-bath unit that includes 2 King Beds, 2 extra-long doubles and a sleeper sofa.
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2-Bedroom Condo Oceanfront – FNS $125.00 2-bedroom, 2-bath unit that includes 1 king bed and 2 extra-long double beds with a sleeper sofa in the living room.
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1-Bedroom Condo Oceanfront –GNS $109.00 1-bedroom, 1-bath unit that includes 2 extra-long double beds in the bedroom and Murphy bed in the living room.
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1-Bedroom Condo Oceanview –HNS $98.00 1-bedroom, 1-bath unit that includes 2 extra-long double beds in the bedroom and Murphy bed in the living room.
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1-Bedroom Condo Oceanview –JNS $98.00 1-bedroom, 1-bath unit that includes 1 King bed in the bedroom and Murphy bed in the living room.
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1-Bedroom Condo Oceanfront –KNS/G1NS $103.00 1-bedroom, 1-bath unit that includes 1 King bed in the bedroom and Murphy bed in the living room.
***Due to Covid – 19 we do not offer daily housekeeping until further notice but will be glad to take trash and exchange out towels & other linens daily. Room rate discounts are reflected in rates.***
***We suggest you request that the unit does have a washer/dryer in the unit***
All units are condo units that feature kitchens, washer & dryer, private balconies, daily housekeeping, complimentary parking with onsite pools, lazy river, fitness center, Wi- Fi and hotel is directly oceanfront. Just off Main Restaurant open for Breakfast, Lunch & dinner, Tree Top Lounge and walking distance to Main Street North Myrtle Beach.
RESERVATION POLICIES
Deposit Policy: For all reservations a two night deposit plus tax/fees is required.
Cancellation Policy: If cancellation is made more than 7 days prior to arrival, a cancellation fee of 10% of the total deposit or $30 (whichever is greater) will be assessed. If cancellation is made within 7 days of arriving, the entire deposit is forfeited.
Changes: No changes are to be made within 2 weeks of arriving.
Resort Fees: This rate is currently 5.75% and taxed at 12% which covers self parking for overnight guests, local telephone services, access connection from in-room phones, fitness center usage, access to our business center, and unlimited wireless internet access.
Processing Fee: The current processing fee 10.315% and taxed at 12%.
Taxes: The current tax rate is 12%.
Early Check Outs: There are no refunds for checking out early.
Check-In / Check Out: Check in is at 4pm and check out is at 11am. Guest can request early check-in or late check out—neither is guaranteed.
Room Numbers: Room numbers are determined on date of arrival.
Confirmation Letters: Confirmation letters may be sent via email, fax, or mail.
Hurricane Policy: In case of a mandatory evacuation issued by the state government due to a hurricane, the guest will be reimbursed for any nights that he/she has not used or a full deposit refund if he/she has not checked in. No refunds for voluntary evacuations.