Lt. Gov. Austin Davis announces $3 million for hospital-based violence intervention programs

Nearly $3 million in funding has been allocated to support hospital-based violence intervention programs (HVIPs) in Pennsylvania, according to an announcement from the Shapiro-Davis Administration. The investment aims to assist patients who have suffered violent injuries, providing them with critical support both during their hospitalization and after discharge.

Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis revealed the funding at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, where he was joined by state and local officials. The grants were approved earlier in the day by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD), which Davis leads. The PCCD had previously secured a competitive grant from the U.S. Department of Justice in 2024, enabling expansion of HVIPs across the state.

"Every Pennsylvanian - whether you live in West Philly or Westmoreland County - deserves to be safe and feel safe in their community," said Davis. "As the federal government backs away from supporting violence prevention work, we're increasing our investments at the state level. Addressing the epidemic of gun violence is a top priority for our Administration, and we're going to keep fighting to make Pennsylvania communities safer."

The event featured remarks from several leaders, including Kevin B. Mahoney, CEO of University of Pennsylvania Health System; State Senator Joe Picozzi; Dr. Elinore Kaufman, Assistant Professor of Surgery and Medical Director of the Penn Trauma Violence Recovery Program; and Natasha Daniel de Lima McGlynn, Executive Director of the Anti-Violence Partnership of Philadelphia.

The newly announced funding follows ongoing efforts to address gun violence within Pennsylvania communities through targeted intervention strategies that involve healthcare providers working closely with victims during vulnerable periods following injury.