Riley Children's Health Launches Indiana's First Pediatric Hospital-Linked Violence Intervention Program
Collaboration with community partners aims to reduce reinjury, promote healing, and connect young victims of violence with long-term support
INDIANAPOLIS – Riley Children's Health today announced the launch of its Hospital-Linked Violence Intervention Program (HVIP), becoming the first pediatric hospital in Indiana and one of only a handful of children's hospitals nationwide to offer a comprehensive, hospital-linked violence intervention program focused on helping young victims of gun violence and their families heal, recover and thrive.
The initiative is led through the Office of Community & Child Health (OCCH) and expands Riley Children’s commitment to addressing the root causes and lasting impacts of community violence.
Violence-related injuries can leave lasting physical, emotional and psychological effects on children and families. Through the HVIP, Riley will connect patients who have experienced violence-related injuries with trauma-informed services, behavioral health support, case management and trusted community partners to help reduce the risk of reinjury and improve long-term outcomes.
"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."
The program utilizes a hybrid model that combines Riley's clinical expertise with community-based violence intervention efforts. Patients receiving care for violence-related injuries, including gunshot wounds and other penetrating trauma, may be connected to services that address social, emotional and environmental factors influencing recovery.
A central component of the program is Riley's collaboration with Indy Peace, which extends support from the hospital into the community. Indy Peace team members will provide immediate support, emotional guidance, resource navigation, and ongoing follow-up tailored to the needs of individual patients and families. The approach builds on successful violence intervention efforts already underway in Indianapolis and recognizes that lasting healing requires more than medical treatment alone. Through immediate intervention, personalized support, and long-term recovery services, Indy Peace helps connect participants to resources that promote safety, stability, and resilience.
“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.”
The Riley program builds upon violence intervention work already underway within IU Health and across Indianapolis. At IU Health Methodist Hospital, Indy Peace Life Coaches connect with eligible patients during hospitalization, providing immediate support and referrals to long-term services, including 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.
Through partnerships with organizations including Indy Peace, VOICES Corp, Boys & Girls Clubs of Indianapolis and Struggle Made Us, participants and families will have access to individualized support and resources tailored to their needs. These collaborations are designed to strengthen recovery, promote resilience and create pathways to long-term success.
“Unfortunately, there are incidents in our community where gun violence is impacting young people and their families,” said Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett. “However, this new Pediatric Hospital-Linked Violence Intervention Program at Riley Children’s Health ensures a child and their family are met with care and compassion during one of the most difficult periods in their lives. Programs like these complement the City’s Gun Violence Reduction Strategy, which in part, focuses on relationship building, resources, and support to help create safer neighborhoods.”
The HVIP builds upon the mission of the Office of Community & Child Health, which was established to improve child health outcomes through community-led partnerships and innovative programming. Support from Riley Children's Foundation helped make the initiative 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."
With the launch of the pediatric HVIP, Riley Children’s Health, Indy Peace, and its partners are expanding how Indianapolis responds to the impact of violence on young people and families. The program creates a stronger bridge from hospital care to community-based support, ensuring recovery does not end at discharge.
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ABOUT RILEY CHILDREN’S HEALTH
Riley Children’s Health is Indiana’s only full service statewide pediatric health system. Riley Children’s offers complete, comprehensive pediatric care ranging from routine primary care checkups to the most complex acute care needs from highly skilled pediatric specialists. The system connects patients with expert primary care and specialty care physicians in communities across the state of Indiana. Riley physicians treat patients in their home communities, bringing top-notch care close to home. This statewide network is an extension of Riley Hospital for Children, one of the nation’s leading children’s hospitals consistently ranked a Best Children’s Hospital by U.S. News & World Report. rileychildrens.org
ABOUT RILEY CHILDREN’S FOUNDATION
Riley Children’s Foundation is Indiana’s preeminent nonprofit dedicated to funding children’s healthcare and the founding organization that opened Riley Hospital for Children in 1924. Today, Riley Children’s Foundation inspires our communities to invest in world-class pediatric research and care at Riley Children’s Health and Indiana University School of Medicine, and in programs like Camp Riley that support the well-being of kids and families. rileykids.org
INDY PUBLIC SAFETY FOUNDATION
The Indy Public Safety Foundation (IPSF) is a non-profit dedicated to enhancing public safety and quality of life in Indy. We achieve this through a combination of philanthropic support for our city’s public safety agencies, innovative community programs, and collaborative partnerships. To learn more, visit www.indypsf.org
ABOUT OFFICE OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY
The Office of Public Health and Safety (OPHS) works to address root causes of crime and reduce violence in Indianapolis neighborhoods. The office convenes public safety and public health agencies along with community partners to execute focused policy efforts in the areas of food security, offender re-entry, and homelessness. The office acts as the coordinating agency for Mayor Joe Hogsett’s violent crime reduction strategies and comprehensive criminal justice reform efforts. To learn more, visit www.indy.gov/OPHS.
