The University of Chicago Medicine’s Violence Recovery Program (VRP) helps trauma patients and their families, providing everything from wraparound care, crisis intervention, psychological first aid, social support, case management and connection to community-based social services.
Launched in 2018 when the South Side health system opened its Level 1 adult trauma center, the VRP has engaged more than 5,700 patients and families by helping them while they’re in immediate crisis and supporting them as they navigate a complex system in the days, weeks and months after an injury.
The work is critical because research shows survivors of intentional violence are at higher risk of being re-injured or injuring someone themselves. But as gun violence climbs in the city, so does the program’s caseload.
Franklin Cosey-Gay, PhD, former director of the Chicago Center for Youth Violence Prevention, took over as VRP director in November 2021. Here he explains the importance of partnering with the community, building resiliency and coordinating the smartest minds to get things done.
Click here to read the full interview.
This story was first published by UChicago Medicine.
