SHIFTing the Trajectory: What is a Hospital-Based Violence Intervention Program?

The Peds Pod by Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital

Parents and caregivers know to bring their children to the hospital to address physical wounds associated with acts of violence. What can they do, however, to address the mental and emotional strain that follows? In the spring of 2022, Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital launched Supporting & Healing Individuals from Trauma (SHIFT), a hospital-based violence intervention program (HVIP) that aims to assist Le Bonheur patients and families who have been impacted by violence. By collaborating with the patients’ care team to identify specific needs, SHIFT coordinates wrap-around services to help ensure the best possible outcomes, both in and out of the hospital. Because trauma can have wide-reaching effects on every aspect of a patient’s home life, SHIFT can help connect families with mental health resources, mentoring, and youth development, as well as school and court advocacy.