AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center (ARMC) has received a $2 million grant to develop a hospital-based violence intervention program. Governor Phil Murphy, Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal and former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords recently announced AtlantiCare is one of nine hospitals in the state that will receive the federal Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) funding.
For the first phase of the 21-month grant, AtlantiCare has submitted its program plan to the Health Alliance for Violence Intervention, the training and technical assistance provider for the New Jersey Hospital-Based Violence Intervention Program. Pending state approval of the plan and meeting other grant requirements, AtlantiCare anticipates launching the program this summer.
The plan broadly addresses how AtlantiCare will connect with victims of gun and other violence with a goal of breaking the cycle of violence. “As a regional Trauma Center, we see the devastating toll violence takes on young people, families and our community,” said AtlantiCare Chief Operating Officer Margaret Belfield. “This important work will likely include sharing tools with, and giving support to victims while they are in the hospital. Our goal is to engage them in safe behaviors to protect them from future harm.”
“We are thrilled that AtlantiCare has been awarded this grant,” said Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small, Sr. “AtlantiCare has strong ties in the Atlantic City community and has continued to be active in promoting and encouraging safety and prevention for overall well-being. My administration’s goal is to decrease violence and be proactive while doing it. We look forward to continue working with AtlantiCare on this initiative and more.”
“We are extremely grateful to the Giffords for this generous donation and to the State of New Jersey for recognizing the needs of our region,” said Atlantic County Prosecutor Damon G. Tyner. “Of the 13 homicides that occurred in Atlantic County in 2019, five of the victims were between the ages of 10 and 20. The vicarious trauma experienced by their friends and family members can have a chilling effect, which can contribute to a lasting cycle of gun violence. Too many of our local homicide victims as a result of gun violence have had a familial relationship to previous homicide victims, which occurred as a result of gun violence. Sadly, this is not a coincidence. I am hopeful that this grant will help us put an end to this senseless loss of human life.”
For more information about AtlantiCare, call the AtlantiCare Access Center at 1-888-569-1000; visit www.atlanticare.org; or find AtlantiCare on Facebook.
