Riley launches Indiana's first pediatric hospital-linked violence intervention program

Riley team members have experienced caring for a one-month-old patient who suffered a gunshot wound. Fourteen percent of patients suffering from gunshot wounds are under age 10. Data from this year alone shows that the median age for gunshot wound victim is 15.

"We are seeing gunshot patients there, so why not build it [at Riley]," Mae Sandberg, who leads Riley's office of community & child health (OCCH), said after announcing Riley's new hospital-linked violence intervention program (HVIP).

Riley Children's Health welcomes Indiana's first HVIP which, with the help of city and community partners, will aim to reduce further shootings, promote healing for all involved, and connect young victims to long-term support.

"No family expects violence to become part of their story, but we see every day how deeply these injuries affect children, families and communities," said David Biggerstaff, president of Riley Children's Health. "As Indiana's leading pediatric health system, we have an opportunity and responsibility to support healing beyond the hospital walls. This program is designed to meet young people and their families where they are, provide hope and connection, and help break cycles of violence."

Riley is only the 11^th children's hospital in the country to offer a HVIP focused on helping young victims of violence and their families heal. As the only Level I pediatric hospital in Indiana, children injured by guns are typically brought to Riley.

"All children come into the emergency department with a gunshot wound, and we are expanding to all penetrating wounds, so this could also include stabbings, which is why we've invested in hiring two staff members at Riley who are dedicated for hospital violence intervention plan," Sandberg said. "We are having our licensed clinical social worker and a violence outreach specialist. Indy Peace specializes in gun violence, but that is not the only violence that a child experiences. So, we want to be prepared at Riley as well to fill in any gaps and that is why we are also working with our community-based organizations."

Riley is partnering with Indy Peace, which is part of the city's anti-violence strategy. Indy Peace team members will respond to and intervene at the hospital.

"Our goal is to simply meet the victims at the hospital and start the process right then and there and begin to try to mediate the situation, and if possible present some conflict mediations, conflict resolutions, help to provide resources to the families," Michael Murphy, senior program manager with Indy Peace, said. "We're there within an hour. Within that hour, several people that love that victim, their families, their loved ones, they're all trying to get to them to make sure they're okay, right? That's what we're trying to do. Make sure that we get to them [and] make sure they're okay. Make sure that mentally they're okay cause the process to recovery is a lengthy one depending on the shot."

Along with immediate support, Indy Peace will also help connect victims' families to additional resources and ongoing follow-up care.

"Indy Peace is part of our city's violence interruption strategy," Sandberg explained. "We are partnering with them as our primary referral agency. But we also acknowledge that we have community-based organizations that are specialized in working with youth. Some of those are Struggle University, VOICES Corp. and the Boys & Girls Club of Indianapolis."

The Riley program builds upon the violence intervention work already happening within IU Health and across Indianapolis. At IU Health Methodist Hospital, Indy Peace life coaches connect with eligible patients while they're in the hospital, providing immediate support and referrals to long-term services. Those resources include the Indy Peace Fellowship, which offers intensive case management and support for up to 18 months. Riley's pediatric program adapts this evidence-informed model to meet the unique needs of children, adolescents, and families.

"A safer city is built long before a crisis. It takes people who can respond in the moment—and people who stay with families through what comes next. That’s why we’re grateful for partners like Riley Hospital for Children and the community organizations working alongside us, said Dane Nutty, president and CEO of the Indy Public Safety Foundation. “When healthcare, public safety, and community support work together, we can help families affected by violence find a path toward healing and build a safer future for Indy.”

OCCH was established to improve child health outcomes through community-led partnerships and innovative programming. Support from Riley Children's Foundation helped make the HVIP possible by providing resources to advance collaborative solutions that address children's health and well-being beyond the hospital setting. By aligning healthcare, philanthropy, public health, and community expertise, Riley aims to create a coordinated approach to violence intervention for children and adolescents throughout Central Indiana.

"Riley Children's Foundation is proud to support innovative programs that improve the health and well-being of children across Indiana," said Courtney Roberts, president and CEO of Riley Children's Foundation. "The Hospital-Linked Violence Intervention Program reflects the power of investing beyond traditional healthcare to address the challenges families face in their communities. We are grateful to partner with Riley Children's Health, Indy Peace and other community organizations to help create pathways toward healing, hope and brighter futures for children impacted by violence."