Beyond Violence

boy painting wall

Beyond Violence (BV) is a hospital-based violence intervention and prevention program that seeks to interrupt the cycle of violence and reduce the total number of people injured by interpersonal violence, reduce re-entry of people into criminal justice systems, and link people with local resources that help them live non-violent lifestyles. In existence at John Muir Health since 2010, and under membership with The Health Alliance for Violence Intervention, BV is a collaborative program that provides support and resources to some of Contra Costa County’s most marginalized individuals and communities via connecting to nonprofit partner organizations and a robust network of support services.

Our Beyond Violence Community Partners:

 

Q: How does Beyond Violence (BV) work?

A: The program utilizes a collaborative model both internally and externally. Within JMH, the Community Health Improvement (CHI) department, Trauma, Emergency, and Social Services all work in collaboration to support healing of individuals who have been deeply affected by violence and trauma. Externally, we partner with five Contra Costa County community-based organizations: RYSE Center (Richmond), One Day at a Time (Antioch and Brentwood), Center for Human Development (Concord), Contra Costa Family Justice Center (Antioch and Richmond), and Fred Finch Youth and Family Services (West, East, and Central County). Each partner has 1-2 Intervention Specialists who reside in the communities they serve and meet with program clients regularly to provide support, engage in activities, and coordinate care.

 

Q: What are the qualifications for BV?

A: (Youth Program Eligibility)

  • Patients up to age 25 who are injured by any form of assault (shooting, stabbing, etc.)
  • Patients treated at JMH Walnut Creek or JMH Concord Medical Center
  • Any patient class (including trauma, non-trauma, observation, peds, ED discharges)
  • Injured in or resides in CCC (West, East, or Central are all included)

A: (Adult Program Eligibility)

  • Patients ages 26 and over injured by any form of assault (shooting, stabbing, beating, etc.)
  • Patients treated at JMH Walnut Creek or JMH Concord
  • Any patient class (including trauma, non-trauma, observation, peds, ED discharges)
  • Injured in or resides in the cities of Richmond or Antioch ONLY
John Muir Health Walnut Creek Medical Center entrance signage

Q: What is an Intervention Specialist

A: At the core of the BV program is the referral of patients to an Intervention Specialist. Intervention Specialists reside in the communities
they serve and are physically located within the partner organizations their clients utilize for program activities. They meet with program clients regularly to provide support, engage in activities, and coordinate care. Intervention Specialists help clients access a robust network of support services. They connect the client, their families and others who were impacted by the violent event to health care services, mental health resources, job placement and educational programs, housing and food resources, legal services and other support programs that assist in recovery and ultimately resiliency.