Riley Children’s Health launches violence intervention program INDIANAPOLIS — An Indianapolis children’s hospital launched its violence intervention program Thursday in Indianapolis, becoming the first pediatric hospital in Indiana to connect patients and their families with specialized res ources and support. Mae Sandberg, who leads the community and child health office at Indiana University Health Riley Children’s Health hospital, said of the initiative, “There are many lingering effects that happen after the child leaves for home, and we are acknowledging that we can’t do it alone and that we shouldn’t do it alone.” The initiative was designed to help young survivors and their families heal and thrive after trauma. As a Level 1 trauma center, Riley hospital sees firsthand how violence can impact people at any age. “The youngest patient was 1 month old, and 14% of the patients that we see with gunshot wounds are under the age of 10, and our median age just for this year is 15,” said Sandberg. Riley joins 11 other U.S. pediatric hospitals with violence intervention programs. For this initiative, the hospital collaborates with community organizations including these: Indy Peace, a partnership between the Indy Public Safety Foundation and the Indianapolis government’s Office of Public Health and Safety. Voices Corp, a Black-led organization focused on breaking deep-rooted community cycles like violence, trauma, and poverty. The Boys Girls Clubs of Indianapolis. The social and emotional development nonprofit Struggle Made Us. These collaborations were designed to expand the city’s approach to violence prevention and extend hospital support into the community. The initiative helps patients and their families address social, emotional and environmental factors that impact recovery. “It’s very hard for families to start over and start fresh,” said David Lee, the program manager for special projects with Indy Peace. “So, to be able to have programs like this that support families during those times that they know families are truly needing a refresh and having loved ones that are no longer here, it means the world to them to know that someone is coming and giving them the things that they’re missing.” This coordinated effort aims to prevent future violence as well. Sandburg said, “We want to be able to find spaces where younger kids are learning about conflict resolution and make an impact there.” “Most of the time our young people feel like they’re not heard and they don’t have people,” Lee said. “And with this, it’s showing that not only you have the hospital, but you also have a larger community that’s willing to support you no matter what.” The Riley program was designed to build upon other violence intervention work underway within IU Health and across the city. ...read more read less