HEALTHCARE

Riley Children’s Health added to Indy Peace’s Hospital Violence Intervention Program, creating what Indy Peace calls Indiana’s first pediatric HVIP

Indy Peace says its Hospital Violence Intervention Program expanded in October 2026 to include Indiana University Health Riley Children’s Health, which Indy Peace describes as Indiana’s first pediatric hospital violence intervention program. WISH‑TV and Indy Peace provided the details.

News BriefBy BusinessIndy News DeskCommentsPublished October 8, 2026 at 6:33 PM EDTLiving story · 2 sources

AI-generated illustration of the topic: Riley Children’s Health added to Indy Peace’s Hospital Violence Intervention Program, creating what Indy Peace calls Indiana’s first pediatric HVIP — AI illustration · Not a photograph of the reported event.

Indy Peace says its Hospital Violence Intervention Program (HVIP) expanded in October 2026 to include Indiana University Health Riley Children’s Health, creating what Indy Peace calls Indiana’s first pediatric HVIP.

Indy Peace describes the HVIP model as embedding specially trained Indy Peace Life Coaches inside hospitals to support patients impacted by gun violence and says the program offers intensive case management and support services lasting 18 months. Indy Peace lists partner organizations including the Indy Public Safety Foundation, the Indianapolis Office of Public Health and Safety, IU Health Methodist Hospital and support from the Health Alliance for Violence Intervention. WISH‑TV quoted Mae Sandberg of Riley’s community and child health office and reported Riley joins 11 other U.S. pediatric hospitals with violence intervention programs; WISH‑TV also reported patient-age statistics and collaborators for the Riley initiative.

WHY IT MATTERS

Hospital Violence Intervention Programs (HVIPs) place trained outreach workers or “life coaches” inside hospital settings to connect patients and families affected by violent injury with wraparound services after discharge. According to Indy Peace, its coaches provide intensive case management and support services for up to 18 months — a sustained period intended to address risks and needs that persist after medical treatment ends. WISH‑TV’s reporting highlights why hospitals pursue pediatric HVIPs: Riley leaders told the outlet there are “many lingering effects” after a child returns home from treatment, and the hospital’s addition places it among a small number of U.S. children’s hospitals offering hospital‑based violence intervention. For families, that can mean direct help navigating follow‑up medical care, counseling, housing or safety planning; for hospitals, embedding community partners changes who manages post‑discharge support. The next milestone to watch is how Riley and its partners operationalize referrals, staffing and the 18‑month case management pathway described by Indy Peace; the program’s community collaborators and participation levels will determine local reach and caseloads over time.

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Linked source published October 8, 2026 at 5:35 PM EDT. Published without independent factual verification. The linked source and public disclaimer identify that limitation. Prepared with AI assistance; source-dependent claims remain attributed in the article.

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