This effort focuses on front-line gun violence prevention outreach services “on the street”. The primary goal is to interrupt violence and provide continuing support and empowerment for those negatively affected. Outreach Workers (OWs) target those highest at risk of becoming victims and/or perpetrators of violence. In the short term, OWs focus on preventing shootings and homicides. Longer-term outreach builds a trusting relationship with those at highest risk, with the intent of connecting them to a Case Manager who will facilitate the development and achievement of their individualized goals and objectives. 

CVI service providers are located in, hire from, and serve individuals and families in the designated communities to which they are assigned. Provider sites are located within strategic areas that serve as an anchor for both community residents and local partners. Staff are community “insiders” who are trusted, respected and credible partners and service providers. CVI outreach services are intentionally targeted in the “hot spots” within the targeted communities. 

OWs prevent and mediate conflicts before they escalate to shootings. When a shooting does occur, OWs respond to the crisis to conduct a threat assessment of the possibility of retaliatory shootings, and implement a strategy to de-escalate tensions and prevent violence. OWs are community residents who have established relationships and an understanding of the neighborhoods and the individuals most likely to be involved, as perpetrators and/or victims of gun violence.

Intensive case management is provided to individuals identified as committing or being a victim of violence and those returning from incarceration. Case Managers (CMs) understand the barriers to achieving individual and family success and, most importantly, can work with high-risk individuals to overcome barriers, navigate complex systems and support their commitment to change. 

Case management personnel employ a team approach between CMs and OWs, working collaboratively to coordinate and integrate service delivery to benefit enrolled participants. Case management is client- centered, trauma-informed, bi-lingual and goal-directed using motivational coaching. By working non- traditional hours and regularly engaging with high risk individuals/groups in “hot spot” areas, staff build knowledge, trust and relationships that enable them to identify and detect high risk individuals and situations. CMS are also able to utilize their relationships, training, and influence as credible messengers to prevent retaliations and influence behavior change over the long-term. CMs provide care coordination, brief clinical interventions, and support that focuses on their participant’s risk for violence and complex trauma experiences.

Their methods are participant-directed, trauma-informed, culturally implicit, helping with crisis support, and problem solving using nonviolent means. The case management team connects participants with ancillary community resources and supports (workforce development, legal aid, mental health, substance abuse resources, and education, etc.) providing navigation and care coordination through the criminal justice system, public health and human service resources. The case management team use motivational interviewing to build participant self-efficacy to change mindsets and behaviors associated with violence via mentoring; sharing and analyzing experiences related to violence; role modeling nonviolent behavior, mediation, and de-escalation skills.

Case management provides re-entry services for returning citizens. CVI engages clients pre-release so as to establish a collaborative, trusting, safe, open and transparent relationship so service planning and interactions are client-centered and client-directed. CMs complete an Individual Service Plan (ISP) document that identifies workforce development, peer and family connection goals, as well as identify strategies to address essential needs like housing, transportation, food and legal services. CMs also maintain contact with probation and parole stakeholders to ensure all post-release interactions are following probation or parole mandates.

CVI engages victims of gun violence. Victim Advocates (VAs) complete victim assessments and a screening tool to determine needs of the victim/ family unit and to formerly enroll them into services. VAs work with the client family in partnership with the CMs to ensure that the family unit is successfully engaged in services upon their victimization to the extent that social- emotional needs are being met, and planning sessions related to assessment, service planning and goal setting take place. Intervention needs are customized to the participant. 

VA services include but are not limited to: notifying and navigating participants through public agency processes for victim compensation, crisis intervention, emergency financial assistance, transportation, medical care/accompaniment, stable housing-shelter, assessment and linkage to public benefits, relocation services. Sessions take place at CVI-sites, in the home, or in another community-based location that is confidential and secure.

CVI service providers and its partner Hospital Network provides a hospital-based victim advocacy intervention model. One of goals is to strengthen practices and policies to improve partnerships, data sharing, and communication between hospitals and with CVI service providers that administer violence reduction street outreach and victim advocacy services. CVI network has built its cross-sector community partnership team to optimize formalized linkages between these two critical stakeholders to develop a comprehensive, collaborative model for delivering hospital-based victim services and post-release follow-up support for long-term recovery and care. CVI providers administer oversight and monitoring, and collaborate with external researchers on data collection and monitoring.

CVI service providers have formed partnerships with two (2) Chicago hospitals located on the south and west sides to support victims of gun violence within healthcare settings. This multi-disciplinary program combines the efforts of medical staff with trusted community-based partners to provide safety planning, services, and trauma-informed care for violently injured people. These individuals within a hospital-based setting are particularly vulnerable because they are at an elevated risk for re-injury and violence perpetration.

Providing these victims with trauma-informed, victim-centered advocacy supports, resource navigation, intensive follow-up (after discharge) and long-term case management is critical to supporting the victim’s self-sufficiency and in promoting feelings of increased safety and well-being; while at the same time building protective factors to reduce their continued involvement in high-risk behaviors which can lead to their re-victimization from violent crime.

Successful CVI requires a strong linkage between this coalition of hospitals and the CVI provider network. CVI practitioners provide a hyper-local connection between their services and residents. CVI providers administer coordination, intensive site supervision, technical assistance, evaluation and oversight.

The primary goal of Light in the Night (LIN) is to cultivate safe, accessible places where community stakeholders can assume ownership and continue positive activities. In order for community stakeholders to be able to assume ownership, the public must be able to access and use the space for positive activities even when program providers aren’t there. Each LIN- funded CVI provider develops a customized strategy for activating public spaces in partnership with stakeholders in its designated community. CVI providers identify a community public space (e.g. Park, School, etc.) that can serve as the focal point of a community safety strategy.

The supplemental goal is to create safe space access for all community members to convene and build community relationships regardless of age, affiliation or status. This opportunity also engages and build relationships between community residents and other stakeholders including other community leaders, government officials, police, etc. The selection of the safe spaces is determined by community input and the prevalence of violence.

CVI providers also provide a platform of ancillary program services in the following areas: Behavioral Health Services, Workforce Development and Education; and Legal Aid.

Behavioral Health Services (BHS). 

Select CVI providers have a team of Clinical Supervisors and Mental Health Specialists who will provide behavior health services for CVI participants and their family members.

Clinical interventions include: Crisis interventions; Group counseling supports – which include the facilitation of healing circles and peer support groups; Social-emotional learning through a trauma- informed lens for helping clients learn critical skills for anger management; de-escalation; sensory stabilization; coping strategies; thoughtful decision-making; self-care; and Short-term clinical individual sessions.

CVI service providers uses Evidence-Based Practices (EBPs) that align with and support the delivery of high quality clinical services based on a Recovery and Resiliency model. The focus of this engagement addresses participant expectations and perceptions of services, and to help de-stigmatize perceptions of seeking therapy.

CVI service providers work to educate participants, partner stakeholders, and the wider community on the importance of social emotional wellness, the impact of trauma and living in communities with high levels of violence, and resiliency. The purpose of these short-term sessions is to clinically address participants immediate clinical needs, understand level of functioning and trauma through the completion of psycho-social assessments and establishing an initial treatment plan with recommendations for longer-term clinical interventions. CVI service providers also uses motivational interviewing to assist with tapping into the client’s internal resources, creating a collaborative environment driven by the participant, and allowing for a client-centered approach to disclosure of symptoms, trauma, history, etc.

Select CVI providers administer care coordination and advocacy supports to help clients navigate and access needed treatment services. For clients in need of longer-term mental health and or substance use treatment supports, staff directly transition clients to BHS resources available through their partner networks.

Workforce Development. 

CVI providers offer workforce development resources, across a work experience continuum to address skill sets/strengths, and career interests, to participants. CVI providers administer job coaching, intensive case management, employment training/placement, and retention services. They also offer transitional job placements and access to basic certificate training for participants interested in industry-specific jobs/sectors. Workforce development staff employ a holistic workforce approach focused on financial literacy, education, training and supportive services to ensure successful outcome of self- sustaining gainful employment. Teams also engage and incentivize participants to acquire their GED and provide academic coaching and supports to recipients in preparation for the GED examination.

Legal Aid. 

Select CVI service providers administer legal aid teams consisting of trained Staff Attorneys and Paralegals who provide education, training, legal service and advocacy supports for participants and their families. Program staff administer “community lawyering” services that provide immediate access to legal resources for populations with traditionally limited access to services. CVI legal staff provide services in designated communities at the CVI-provider site. Staff conduct Know Your Rights clinics/trainings, specifically targeting returning citizens and families impacted by incarceration. Staff engage residents in need of legal services and assess the need to provide more comprehensive legal representation – from brief application filings/legal documentation to more long-term legal efforts. Staff attorneys have expertise in diverse legal areas (expungement, civil rights, family law, housing; employment; victim rights, as examples) to adequately respond holistically to CVI participants and their families in the designated communities.