Identifying and Meeting Needs of Victims of Violent Injury: Trends from 10 Years of the Wraparound Project

Background/Purpose:  There is an estimated violent injury recidivism rate of 30-55% nationally. A comprehensive public-health approach is a promising means to address the epidemic of violent injury. The Wraparound Project (WA) is a hospital-based violence intervention program that seeks to stop the recurrence of violence through case management and collaboration with community-based organizations (CBO). This study examines trends in the types of needs identified for violence victims, and factors that contribute to successfully meeting needs and preventing injury recidivism.

Methods: WA identified clients through the trauma registry and emergency department records. Victims were screened for eligibility. Upon enrollment case managers conducted a needs assessment and provided intensive case management for six months to one year. Demographic information and variables of programmatic interest were recorded and analyzed using descriptive statistics and regression analysis.

Results: 63% of clients had more than half of their needs met within one year, and 7.8% were in progress. Type of need varied by age, though mental health, employment, and housing were most commonly cited overall. CBOs played a critical role in meeting needs through a referral process.

Conclusions: Hospital-based violence intervention programs are an opportunity to link injury victims to social services and community resources. Like other chronic diseases, addressing violent injury requires cultural competency, which can be achieved by collaborating with CBOs. The National Center for Injury Prevention and Control is prioritizing a focus on preventing youth violence. This study highlights how violence prevention spans many policy areas, including education, housing policy, and mental health.