Blueprint for a Youth Violence Intervention Program in East Baton Rouge Parish: Adapting Hospital-Based Strategies

Authors

Kristina G. Little, Louisiana State University at Baton RougeFollow
Elizabeth Winchester, Louisiana State University at Baton RougeFollow
Judith L F Rhodes, Louisiana State University at Baton RougeFollow

Document Type

Report

Publication Date

6-2025

Abstract

Youth violence in East Baton Rouge Parish remains a persistent public safety and public health challenge. This report proposes an adapted, evidence-informed model for East Baton Rouge Parish that retains the core components of traditional HVIPs while leveraging existing legal, hospital, and social service resources. The model is grounded in a public health framework and emphasizes trauma-informed, bedside intervention at the “teachable moment” when youth are most receptive to change, and long-term wraparound case management. The report concludes with recommendations for implementing this adapted approach, including identifying a health system champion, building referral protocols, embedding training, and developing a long-term sustainability plan. While hospital-based violence intervention programs (HVIPs) in other cities have shown promising results in reducing retaliatory violence and re-injury, the infrastructure and resources needed for a full-scale HVIP are not currently in place in the Parish. With strong leadership and cross-sector collaboration, East Baton Rouge Parish can implement a practical, impactful intervention to reduce youth violence and improve community safety.

Recommended Citation

Little, K. G., Winchester, E., & Rhodes, J. (2025). Blueprint for a youth violence intervention in East Baton Rouge Parish: Adapting hospital-based strategies. Baton Rouge, Louisiana: Louisiana State University, Social Research and Evaluation Center.