Community-Based Violence Intervention and Prevention Initiative
Since its launch in 2024, Community-Based Violence Intervention and Prevention Initiative (CVIPI) has advanced a collaborative, healing-centered response that combines rigorous research with meaningful community participation to shift the paradigm of violence prevention toward equity and long-term sustainability.
Firearm violence is a pressing public health issue in Louisiana, where firearm-related injuries account for 85% of all homicide deaths and leave lasting impacts on individuals, families, and communities. Addressing it requires more than short-term solutions. It demands sustainable approaches that address root causes and promote healing.
The CIVIPI in New Orleans brings together city agencies, community organizations, hospitals, and researchers to address firearm violence through a collaborative approach. Key partners collaborate to strengthen local prevention infrastructure and provide direct support to those most at risk.
Approach
CVIPI builds on a healing-centered, community-driven model of care. Ubuntu Village and the New Orleans Health Department work in partnership with local service providers to connect participants to resources that reduce risk factors and build protective factors for long-term safety and well-being. Tulane’s role centers on evaluating program implementation, supporting data capacity, and ensuring that findings inform both local practice and national policy.
Emphasis
Community leadership and trust: Implementation is led by Ubuntu Village outreach workers who share lived experiences with participants and neighborhoods most affected by violence
Cross-sector collaboration: City departments, healthcare systems, community-based organizations, and academic researchers are partnering to implement and evaluate the program across all levels.
Rigorous evaluation: VPI and Vera are conducting a comprehensive evaluation to assess program fidelity, participant impact, and system-level change. This includes surveys, interviews, focus groups, and analysis of citywide crime and health data.
Healing-centered practices: CVIPI allows participants to define their own healing needs while receiving culturally responsive and asset-based support.
Goals
Reduce rates of fatal and non-fatal firearm violence in New Orleans
Support participants in making positive life changes and reducing risk factors for firearm violence
Strengthen coordination across government agencies, community-based organizations, and health systems
Elevate community voice and leadership in shaping solutions
Build sustainable systems for violence prevention rooted in equity and community engagement
Partnerships
CVIPI is driven by strong local partnerships. Key collaborators include:
- Ubuntu Village NOLA – lead community partner delivering direct support to participants
- New Orleans Health Department – coordinating citywide strategy and alignment
- Tulane University Violence Prevention Institute – evaluation and research partner
- University Medical Center and community-based providers, city agencies, and grassroots organizations – offering a continuum of care and services
Evaluation & Impact
CVIPI’s evaluation will generate evidence on what works to reduce gun violence and sustain community trust. Key areas of study include:
- Program consistency and acceptability: Are interventions being delivered as intended, and do participants and staff view them as effective and culturally relevant?
- Individual outcomes: Do participants demonstrate changes in firearm-related attitudes and behaviors over time?
- Community outcomes: Are fatal and non-fatal firearm violence rates declining across the city?
- System change: Is collaboration across agencies and organizations leading to more effective and sustainable violence prevention strategies?
Beyond reducing gun violence in New Orleans, CVIPI is designed to inform local, state, and national policy. Findings will be shared with community members, practitioners, and policymakers through annual community events, policy briefs, conference presentations, and a national convening in New Orleans. By centering those most affected by violence in both design and evaluation, CVIPI is working to build safer, healthier, and more resilient communities for generations to come.
Address
1440 Canal Street, Suite 1510, New Orleans, LA 70112
social media
@tulanevpi