Harris County Public Health (HCPH), through its Community Health and Violence Prevention Services (CHVPS) Division, and HCA Houston Healthcare Northwest is launching a pilot program to assist injured survivors of violence in overall healing from the trauma associated with their injuries.

The Hospital-Linked Violence Interruption Program (HVIP) will ini- tially assist injured survivors of violence who are admitted to an inpatient bed at HCA Houston Healthcare Northwest following a gunshot wound, stabbing or aggravated assault. These survivors must reside or are victimized in zip codes 77021, 77033, 77051 and 77090, which have reported more violent crimes than other zip codes in Harris County. The pilot program with HCA Houston Healthcare Northwest is the first of two HVIPs that the health department is im- plementing. HCPH will launch another HVIP initiative with Ben Taub Hospital in the near future.

In August 2021, Harris County Commissioners Court approved the creation of the CHVPS Division under Harris County Public Health. HVIP is one of three programs within the divi- sion. Harris County contracted with the Health Alliance for Violence Intervention (HAVI) for technical assistance in the creation of the program.

"We are very excited to part- ner with HCPH in the launch of this much-needed program,” said Shiree Berry, MD, Trauma Medical Director at HCA Houston Healthcare Northwest. “We understand that violence is a public health issue and it takes collaboration with community partners to address the full impact it has on our patients. The resources provided to survivors through this program will address social and mental aspects surrounding violent acts beyond the surgical and/or medi- cal treatment we focus on in a hospital setting. We believe these services will be key in reducing the recidivism rates we see in our trauma program."

An integral part of the program is the in-person care provided by Out- reach Specialists to injured survivors immediately after they are admitted to the hospital for medical treatment of injuries from violent incidents. These Outreach Specialists, otherwise known as Credible Messengers, meet with survivors at the bedside at the most critical moment to engage and offer non-medical services by HCPH and its partner agencies. The goal is to assist with recovery and help survivors avoid future violent incidents and injuries.

Support and assistance will continue after survivors leave the hospital. HCPH’s new Accessing Co- ordinated Care and Empowering Self Sufficiency (ACCESS) Harris Coun- ty program will provide long-term, intensive case management of these individuals through a coordinated care approach. In collaboration with other agencies, ACCESS Harris County will direct them to access a variety of sup- port services, including employment, mental health assistance, substance abuse prevention, childcare, transpor- tation, food and housing to name a few

For information about HCPH’s Community Health and Violence Prevention Services, visit www.hcphtx.org/chvps or call (713) 274-4877.