
Serving Survivors of Human Trafficking in Health Care Settings: A New Training from MDH Safe Harbor
Human trafficking survivors experience trauma and have unique needs in health care settings. A new online course from the Minnesota Department of Health Safe Harbor Program, Serving Survivors of Human Trafficking in Health Care Settings, teaches healthcare professionals how to identify survivors of human trafficking and provide trauma-responsive care.
The training is ideal for healthcare professionals working in many settings, including emergency room departments, community clinics, and other healthcare settings. It was created with input from healthcare providers and subject matter experts.
The course consists of six consecutive modules, each around 15 minutes or less, and can be completed on your own time.
While all modules should be completed in order, they do not need to be completed all at once. The course is free.
For more information: Safe Harbor Health Care Worker Training (state.mn.us)
Access the training through the MDH eLearning center. Once logged in, use the search feature to search for the training.
Course Modules:
- Overview and Dynamics of Trafficking and Exploitation.
- Indicators of Trafficking and Exploitation
- Assessment of Survivors of Trafficking
- Survivor-Informed Response for Health Care Providers with Coaching Companion
- Services, Resources, and Considerations
- ICD-10-CM Coding
This training will help participants understand the dynamics of human trafficking, recognize the signs of human trafficking, and support survivors in receiving health care. They will also be introduced to human trafficking survivor resources and the importance of coding human trafficking cases.

May 1-5, 2023 SANE A Training Course Registration
Adult/Adolescent Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Course
May 1-5, 2023 St Paul, MN
SANE training is full – email Linda at lwalther@mncasa.org to be put on waiting list or for information about upcoming SANE trainings.
St Paul SANE A Course information Link
Location:
Hamline University – St Paul Campus
Refundable registration fee: $250
The SANE-A Course includes a flash drive with reference materials and course handouts.
All handouts will be available online at least one week before the course to
download and print or bring on a laptop. Lunch is on your own, we will have
coffee, tea, and snacks available. There are many restaurants and fast food places nearby.
Email lwalther@mncasa.org for information about grant funding available for mileage, hotel, and registration fee.
Core Content providers:
Linda Walther RN SANE A Regions SANE Program, MNCASA SANE Consultant
Ellen Johnson RN, SANE-A, CEN, SANE Program Supervisor Regions SANE program
This continuing nursing education activity was approved by the International Association of Forensic Nurse, an accredited approver of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.

2023 Clinical Skills Labs
Clinical Skills Lab
New sessions have been added:
Course Dates: Saturday and Sunday 0800-1700
2023
April 1-2, 2023
June 3-4, 2023
September 16-17, 2023
November 4-5, 2023
Link for 2023 Clinical Skills Labs Registration Form
Have you taken the 40-hour SANE course but still need experience performing medical forensic exams for adult/adolescent sexual assault patients? If so, this 16-hour IAFN Clinical Skills Lab is for you.
This 16-hour Clinical Skills Lab will provide the nurse hands on Sexual Assault Examination training with live models. The Skills lab includes training and practice on pelvic speculum insertion, obtaining a medicolegal history, evidence collection and handling, anoscopy, and photography. The Skills Lab will provide training and practice with developing a plan of care, discharge/safety planning, and risk assessment for STI’s, pregnancy, and HIV with discussions regarding options for prophylaxis of each. This Clinical Skills Lab is designed to provide clinical practice to nurses who are new SANEs or SANEs who have not had the opportunity to perform many exams. The Skills Lab will increase the nurse’s skill and confidence with performing a medical forensic examination of adult and adolescent sexual assault patients.
This offering has been approved for 16.0 nursing continuing education contact hours. The International Association of Forensic Nurses is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.
Course Location
Regions Hospital EMS
680 Hale Ave North, Suite 230
Oakdale, MN 55128

Victims of Sexual Assault: Your Rights and Resources
The notice provided to sexual assault victims by hospitals has been updated.
The English version of the notice is available in PDF and Word formats on the Professional Resources page of the OJP website. Spanish, Somali, and Hmong versions areavailable too.
The notice to sexual assault victims was created in 2014 and updated in 2018 following a change in the law. Legislation that passed in 2020 has changed the kit testing landscape significantly, requiring another update of the notice. In particular, the new law requires the following:
- All unrestricted kits will be tested.
- All restricted kits will be sent to the BCA.
- The BCA must develop a statewide tracking system of sexual assault examination kits.
- The BCA must develop …
Read More

IAFN Strangulation Toolkit
The Strangulation Toolkit provides the forensic nurse with detailed guidance on assessment techniques, documentation, and evidence collection for this patient population. This toolkit also provides documents such as discharge instructions and sample policies that can be adjusted to best suit your institution and your forensic practice.

Inside the News Podcast
A joint podcast of the Star Tribune and WCCO Radio takes listeners inside news coverage for the series “Denied Justice” with Star Tribune reporters and editors.
WCCO Radio’s Jordana Green is the host.