Free App for Florida Foster Youth Expands to Address Human Trafficking Risks

Bay Area Legal Services’ FosterPower adds new human trafficking resources during National Human Trafficking Prevention Month 

Tampa, FL (January 5, 2026) — Bay Area Legal Services, a nonprofit law firm, announced the launch of a new human trafficking section within its free FosterPower app, providing youth and young adults in Florida foster care with critical, youth-friendly information to help them recognize trafficking, stay safe, understand their rights, and get help.

Youth in foster care face a significantly heightened risk of trafficking. Nationally, an estimated 60% of child sex trafficking victims have a history of foster care, and Florida ranks third in the nation for reported human trafficking cases (National Foster Youth Institute). Despite these statistics, many youth in foster care lack access to clear, trustworthy information about exploitation and their legal protections.

The new FosterPower human trafficking section covers: 

• The basics of human trafficking
• Warning signs and grooming tactics
• Safety planning and prevention
• Legal rights for trafficking survivors
• How and where to seek help  

All content is designed to be accessible, trauma-informed, and available directly on a youth’s phone using the free FosterPower app.

Mary Rose Maloney, an attorney at Bay Area Legal Services’ L. David Shear Children’s Law Center and current Equal Justice Works Fellow,, leads the human trafficking project. Maloney provides direct legal representation to foster youth who have experienced trafficking and serves as FosterPower’s human trafficking project manager, providing information and training to youth, attorneys, and child welfare professionals.

“Children in foster care are at an increased risk of being targeted by traffickers,” said Maloney. “By putting clear, reliable information directly in their hands, FosterPower helps foster youth recognize exploitation earlier and understand that help is available.”

Florida’s child welfare system currently serves more than 20,000 children. Many enter the system without clear information about their benefits, protections, or legal rights—gaps that traffickers can exploit. FosterPower was created to close that information gap.

Launched in May 2023, FosterPower is an award-winning program that helps youth in foster care understand and advocate for their rights through a free app, website, videos, and training. To date, FosterPower has reached over 5,500 app downloads, more than 45,000 website users, over 200,000 video views, and more than 500 trained youth and child welfare professionals. The program has received recognition from members of Congress, national and statewide media outlets, and multiple innovation and access-to-justice awards.

“This new human trafficking section strengthens FosterPower’s role as a trusted, comprehensive resource for youth in foster care,” said Taylor Sartor, FosterPower’s creator and legal director. “Our goal is to help youth and young adults in foster care understand their rights and get support when they need it most.”

If you or someone you know may be experiencing human trafficking, help is available. Call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to speak with a specially trained advocate.

About Bay Area Legal Services
Bay Area Legal Services is a nonprofit law firm committed to promoting equal access to justice. Our skilled attorneys provide free civil legal services to individuals and families who cannot afford private attorneys. Learn more at bals.org/help. FosterPower is a program created and managed by Bay Area Legal Services. Download the free FosterPower app at fosterpower.org/app.