Riverside Health and the City of Newport News are proud to announce the expansion of the Hand in Hand Program, a hospital-based violence intervention program (HVIP). The program was first implemented in 2019 with grant funding from the Department of Criminal Justice Services and the support of the Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association Foundation. The City of Newport News is committing $1.4 million annually for the foreseeable future to support the growth of this vital program, extending its reach within the community and broadening its scope to include victims of domestic violence alongside victims of gun violence, stabbings, and physical assault.
The Hand in Hand Program was created in response to the pressing need for trauma-informed, culturally competent care for victims of violent injuries. Virginia’s alarming statistics on gun violence underscore the urgency of such initiatives. Currently, Virginia ranks 29th in the nation for gun violence, with the 31st-highest rates of gun homicides and assaults. A quarter of these homicides occur in Richmond, Norfolk, and Newport News. Over the course of one year, 2022-2023, the Hand in Hand Program served 610 individuals, with notable successes including a 0% re-injury rate among enrolled patients and 204 patients connected to essential community resources.
The expansion funded by the City of Newport News will enable the program to increase its reach by hiring additional clinical-intervention specialists, extending services during high-volume off-hours and weekends, and augmenting support for victims of domestic violence, who account for a significant portion of those affected by violent crime. "Our HVIP fills a gap in crisis response and support services desperately needed in our community for survivors and families impacted by violence," says January Serda, Hospital- Based Violence Intervention Coordinator at Riverside Health. "With this expansion, we aim to address the critical need for comprehensive care that goes beyond medical treatment, offering support that reduces the risk of re-injury and promotes positive alternatives to violence."
The expanded Hand in Hand Program will focus on reducing patient re-injury rates, preventing acts of retaliation, and reducing future involvement with the justice system. This holistic approach also includes the successful completion of individual service plan goals, providing trauma-informed care training within the hospital and school system, and preparing health care team members and teachers with skills in de-escalation and crisis management. "The Hand in Hand Program represents a vital component of our city's broader strategy to combat violence and support our most vulnerable residents,” says Phillip Jones, Mayor of Newport News. “Through this program's expansion, we are making significant strides toward fostering a safer and healthier community for everyone."
A key element of the expansion is the enhancement of community partnerships. The program will continue to build a network for collaboration, working closely with local organizations to address the root causes of violence and provide comprehensive support to victims in the hospital and once they return home. The establishment of a Hand in Hand advisory council, comprising key city and community stakeholders, will further strengthen these efforts, ensuring that the program remains responsive to the evolving needs of the community.
To learn more about the Hand in Hand Program and how it is making a difference in the community, please visit riversideonline.com/hvip.