Hurley Medical Center

VIP: Violence/Trauma Intervention Program
 
Hurley Medical Center staff teamed up with City of Flint police to implement the Violence/Trauma Intervention Program (VIP). The purpose of the VIP is to provide early intervention and prevention of domestic crises before they result in injury or death. The VIP is a community-based intervention program that provides a teamwork approach between police and/or fire personnel and social workers who respond immediately to crisis situations. The VIP’s on-the-spot crisis intervention results in more effective conflict resolution in situations such as domestic violence, problem teenagers, substance abuse, or families left homeless by fires. Through this program, Flint police and fire personnel notify a social worker and he/she reports to the scene of the incident. The social worker (VIP specialist) talks to individuals involved in the crisis and refers them to appropriate community agencies, then follows up one week later.

Early intervention and case management help prevent repeat calls to the police department. The ultimate goal is to provide individuals involved in violence and trauma with other means and methods to respond to stress and conflict besides violence. In Flint, the root of many domestic violence incidents is poverty, inability to meet basic food and housing needs. VIP social workers refer these families to community agencies for help. By relieving the stress of poverty, the VIP helps decrease chances of repeat violence. VIP emphasis is also placed on providing services for children who witness domestic violence, in hopes of breaking the cycle.
 

For more information about this program, please contact:

Coleen Determan, MSW
VIP Program Coordinator
cdeterm1@hurleymc.com