Advancing Comprehensive Victim Services at a Pediatric Trauma Center: Project Ujima

The Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) is committed to enhancing the nation’s capacity to assist crime victims and provide leadership in changing attitudes, policies, and practices to promote justice and healing for all victims of crime. The OVC FY 2018 Advancing Hospital-Based Victim Services Demonstration Initiative seeks to improve linkages between the victim services field and hospitals and other medical facilities to increase support for victims of crime, improve victim outcomes, reduce chances of further victimization, and provide dedicated technical assistance resources to support these efforts.

With this award, the Children's Service Society of Wisconsin will increase Project Ujima's ability to provide trauma-informed support and services for young crime victims ages 0 to 6 and their families. Project Ujima currently serves young crime victims aged 7 to 18 that enter the emergency department at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin in Milwaukee County. Hospital-based crisis intervention specialists provide immediate crisis intervention including safety planning, family support, and follow-up services for up to 18 months after discharge. This funding will be used to increase mental health services for young victims and their families, expand the population of youth served, and develop a comprehensive training and support program for hospital and Project Ujima staff.

CA/NCF