For the fourth time, BayCare used its expertise as the largest provider of pediatric and behavioral services in West Central Florida to assist law enforcement during a child-trafficking special operation. Led by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), Operation Statewide Shield was the first statewide initiative aimed at recovering missing and endangered youth.
Conducted Aug. 17-21, the operation resulted in the rescue of 163 children across Florida ranging in age from 23 months to 17 years old. Forty-six children were located in the Tampa Bay area.
Children recovered in Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas and Polk counties were brought to a secure Recovery Hub managed by BayCare where they received medical screenings, behavioral health support and access to social services from professionals in a calm, trauma-informed setting. They were provided blankets, clothing, snacks and personal care items while therapy dogs and specially trained professionals helped create a sense of comfort and stability during the five-day operation.
“BayCare brings so much to the table when we do operations like this,” said FDLE Commissioner Mark Glass. “They’re able to provide comfort and wraparound services to meet each child’s individual needs. As law enforcement officers, once we recover the kids, we rely on our community partners like BayCare to provide the support and resources needed to set them on a better path. We really couldn’t do it without them.”
“BayCare is proud to once again assist law enforcement during a child-recovery operation,” said Tracey Kaly, director of clinical operations for BayCare Behavioral Health. “Each time we build on the success of the previous and are now able to use our experience to help other health systems throughout the state, and nationally, establish best practices for their own recovery hubs focused on providing safe and consenting care for vulnerable youth.”
Building on lessons learned from previous operations, BayCare’s Recovery Hub model served as a framework for recovery efforts throughout Florida during Operation Statewide Shield. Kaly and her team provided guidance and support to numerous health systems and organizations participating in the operation, including Gulf Coast Kid’s House, AdventHealth and Palm Beach Children’s Hospital.
Planning for the BayCare Recovery Hub began weeks before the operation and required close coordination among BayCare’s behavioral health, pediatric and emergency room providers, security personnel, lab technicians and environmental service team members, as well as the Department of Children and Families and other victim advocacy organizations.
At an Aug. 25 news conference for Operation Statewide Shield, Kaly joined FDLE Commissioner Mark Glass, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier and other state and local law enforcement officials to announce the arrests of three individuals on charges of sexual battery, custodial interference and resisting arrest.
BayCare is West Central Florida’s largest provider of behavioral health services, offering a comprehensive continuum of care that includes inpatient, residential, detoxification, rehabilitation and outpatient programs. Learn more: BayCare Behavioral Health
