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Topic: Hospital violence intervention program for gun violence survivorsSource: BirminghamWatchFunding: Over $1.1 million from Jefferson County Department of HealthLocation: UAB Hospital, Birmingham, AlabamaReading time: About 1 minute
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Good first step: Share Friends, family, or neighbors who may need support after violence
Hey, did you know UAB Hospital now has specialists who help gun violence survivors get mental health and social services right from the hospital? Worth knowing about.
The Jefferson County Department of Health awarded more than $1.1 million to the Offender Alumni Association to launch a Hospital-linked Violence Intervention Program at UAB Hospital in Birmingham. The program puts trained specialists right at the bedside of gun violence survivors to connect them with social, medical, and mental health support — starting while they are still in the hospital.
The Offender Alumni Association (OAA) will hire violence intervention specialists, a full-time supervisor, and a licensed social worker. Together they will meet gun violence survivors at UAB Hospital, help them connect to services, and track their progress over time. The UAB Division of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery will identify patients and refer those who agree to take part. The Health Alliance for Violence Intervention (HAVI) will train and support the OAA team. The pilot runs for one year, with potential to expand to three years if results are strong. Funding for years two and three could come from both the Jefferson County Department of Health and the City of Birmingham.
If you or someone you know has survived a violent injury at UAB Hospital, hospital staff in the trauma and surgery unit can connect you to this program. You can also reach out to the Offender Alumni Association directly to learn more about their services. If you work in community health, social services, or city government, this program is a model for how hospitals and nonprofits can team up to address violence as a health issue.
No fixed date
Not location-specific
This program connects the Jefferson County Department of Health, the Offender Alumni Association, UAB Hospital, the City of Birmingham, and the Health Alliance for Violence Intervention. Together they form a network that links hospital care, public health funding, and community-based support. If your organization works with violence survivors, reentry services, or public health, this partnership is worth knowing about.
Gun violence leaves survivors facing more than physical injuries. Without support, they face higher risks of being involved in violence again. This program treats violence as a public health problem — not just a criminal justice one. Meeting survivors in the hospital, at a moment of crisis, gives specialists the best chance to help people find a safer path forward.
