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•Impress upon hospital leadership and CBOs that the
status quo is unacceptable. Violence should never be
“normalized” in any community
VI. Established program
•Understand dynamic process: Local target population
and efforts inside/outside the hospital
•Periodically circle back to ascertain the population
most at risk; priorities, funding, and capacity changes
in cities/CBOs
•Constantly reevaluating provider landscape aids in
building networks and strengthening regional/city-wide efforts
VII. Potential pitfalls
•Lack of comprehensive surveillance
Ȗ Reference multiple data sources, such as trauma
registries and police data, when conducting
surveillance to understand target population
•Avoid replicating services and working in isolation
Ȗ Understand the violence prevention
landscape in community to avoid replicating
services and look for opportunities
to potentially merge efforts
Ȗ Team approach is more effective;
“it takes a village”
Ȗ Interact with communities at-risk to develop trust
and buy-in
Step 2: Building the foundations:
Finding champions and collaborators
I. Understand your institution/university, and opportunities for students and residents to be involved
II. Change the administration’s perception of the hospital’s role
•Establishing a program geared toward vulnerable populations boosts hospital optics
•Public relations: Roll out program
Ȗ Media event involving mayor, hospital chief
executive officer, city supervisors, and so on
•Collaborate with social services department
•Public safety/security: Understand concerns and how
a public figure could help temper emotions in the community after an event
•Hospital staff are part of the community
Ȗ Educate hospital staff; reinforce
importance of this public health issue
that can be addressed in your setting
Ȗ Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) accountability at
your institution
Ƒ Is VOCA present and efficient?
•Identify key community stakeholders
III. Use local CBOs (break barriers): At-risk communities
should be part of development and implementation of program
•Attend meetings
•Identify community leaders and CBOs that offer
resources for risk reduction
Ȗ Have community choose CMs
Ƒ Community partners (CPs) will differ
depending on target population/resources.
