To the Core...Standards and Indicators for Injury and Violence Prevention Programs

Sarah Beth Abbott, BS, EMT-LP
Christa Thelen, MA, CHES

In 2016 Safe States Alliance, with support from the National Association for County and City Health Officials, launched an ambitious project with the purpose of strengthening Trauma Center injury and violence (IVP) programs and increasing the alignment of these efforts with public health practice. The goals of the project were to:

• Establish and build consensus on core components of Trauma IVP programs;
• Develop standards and indicators for Level I and II Trauma IVP programs;
• Identify opportunities to strengthen collaboration between public health and hospital trauma centers.

The Standards and Indicators for Model Level I and II Trauma Center Injury and Violence Prevention Programs was released in November 2017 to support the IVP professional and hospital leadership with tangible ideas for expanding or strengthening programs at all levels, moving beyond minimum requirements. It was the first to provide concrete, consensus-based descriptions of what constitutes a model Level I or II trauma center IVP program — one more likely to deliver the shared goals of reducing the burden and costs of injury and violence in communities across the United States.

These standards and indicators were part of a larger effort from Safe States and national partners to develop setting-specific standards and indicators and assessment tools for IVP practitioners. Earlier versions included standards and indicators for state health departments (Building Safer States developed in 1997; revised 2013) and local health departments (Standards and Indicators for Local Health Department Injury & Violence Prevention Programs developed in 2009).

During 2024, Safe States convened representatives from the various sectors to modernize and align the core components across settings and integrate anti-racism, health equity, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) principles into IVP programs as foundational elements of IVP efforts. The core components describe foundational elements essential for program success. Safe States is in the process of updating the setting-specific indicators (expected Spring 2025), and Injury Free Coalition for Kids members will be among the first to explore the revised indicators for hospital-based IVP programs. As with previous documents, it is expected the revised core components and standards and indicators will guide the work of injury and violence prevention professionals as they navigate building and strengthening their programs.

This workshop will introduce participants to the revised core components, standards and indicators, and supporting new material for garnering support from organizational leadership, as well as obtain feedback on the materials. The workshop will include an overview of the core components and standards and indicators, a facilitated discussion of the opportunities and barriers for utilization, and hands-on demonstration and practice on how to apply the assessment tools. Additionally, it will include an illustration from local hospital IVP staff on how they successfully applied the standards and indicators to strengthen support for their program.

1. Introduce revised core components, standards and indicators for injury and violence prevention programs
2. Discuss opportunities and barriers for utilization
3. Provide instruction on how to apply program assessment tools
4. Obtain feedback on materials provided
5. Practice techniques for engaging organizational leadership