A Regional Approach to Hospital-Based Violence Intervention Programs Through LOV

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Trauma Surgery
• Social Work

Background:

• Community violence is a significant public health issue.
• Hospital-based violence intervention programs (HVIPs) address violence root causes and prevent reinjury.

Purpose of the Study:

• Describe the methodology of the St. Louis Region-wide Life Outside Violence (LOV) program.
• Provide preliminary process outcomes for the LOV program.

Main Methods:

• The LOV program provides therapeutic counseling and case management to violently injured patients (ages 8-24) and their families.
• Services are delivered over 6-12 months with individualized treatment plans.
• Data collected on program enrollment, graduation, and implementation.

Main Results:

• From August 2018 to April 2022, 1750 eligible patients presented to partner hospitals.
• 206 patients enrolled in the LOV program.
• 91 participants graduated from the program during the pilot phase.

Conclusions:

• Life Outside Violence is the first regional HVIP implemented across multiple university and hospital systems.
• The program's methodology can guide other organizations in expanding HVIPs to combat community violence regionally.