Financing state injury and violence prevention programs: Findings from the 2011 state of the states finance and personnel survey

Purpose: Infrastructure is a critical element of capacity that impacts how state injury and violence prevention programs (IVPPs) operate, are sustained, and can succeed at achieving health outcomes. However, state IVPPs must have sufficient funding to support their infrastructure. This includes the staff and activities necessary to implement and evaluate programs and policies. Understanding how state IVPPs are funded is an essential step in increasing their ability to reduce injuries and violence. Methodology: The first survey of its kind, the Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2011 State of the States Finance and Personnel Survey was administered to the directors of all U.S. state IVPPs. A total of 47 states responded to the survey. This presentation will include descriptive analyses of funding types and amounts, state and national per capita comparisons, primary staff roles of full-time equivalents (FTEs), and anticipated impacts of budget cuts. Results: In FFY 2011: $101.5 million was invested nationally in state IVPPs — a national average of $0.32/person. Twenty-three funding sources supported 342.96 FTEs working in state IVPPs. Five funding sources accounted for 65% ($66 million) of total funding. Sixty percent of states expected reduced funding in FFY 2012. The most common anticipated impacts of these budget cuts were reductions in services and a loss of staff. Conclusions: While state IVPPs fund their efforts through a variety of funding sources, their per capita investments are relatively small. There may be opportunities to diversity these sources and cross-train staff to strengthen the infrastructural capacity of state IVPPs.