Healing Hurt People

Healing Hurt People (HHP) is a hospital-based program focused on reducing repeated injury and retaliation among people aged 8 to 30. HHP targets youth and adults who are being treated in the emergency department for intentional injuries such as gunshot or stab wounds, and provides them with access to resources including emotional support, mentoring, substance abuse treatment, and job training and placement. HHP was developed based on research that suggests victims of traumatic violent injury often decide either to change their way of life or retaliate.

Once the patient’s injuries have been treated in the emergency department, an HHP Injury Prevention Coordinator and a Community Intervention Specialist meet with the patient to identify what types of services are needed. Part of the initial assessment is to ensure that the patient has a safe place to go after being discharged from the hospital. Communication with the patient is then maintained through either phone calls or home visits to help the patient connect to the appropriate community services.

The goal of Healing Hurt People is to reduce repeated injury and retaliation among people aged 8 to 30.

A formalized evaluation of HHP has not yet been conducted. In 2009, the program was expanded to St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children to address young victims of violence between the ages of 8 and 21. Plans also exist to create a health clinic for clients to ensure their follow-up medical issues are addressed.

The program aims to serve as a prototype for other trauma centers in urban settings to adequately support victims of violence.