MCW Comprehensive Injury Center - Division of Community Safety Policy and Engagement
The prevention of intentional injury and violence is a public health priority for the Comprehensive Injury Center at the Medical College of Wisconsin. Firearm-related injury has been the leading cause of death in children in the U.S. and the third leading cause of death in the U.S. among 15-34 year-olds since 2020. We are committed to addressing disparities in violence victimization through strategic partnerships with local communities, government, and public health.
Mission
The mission of the Division of Community Safety Policy and Engagement in the Comprehensive Injury Center at the Medical College of Wisconsin is to advance public health solutions for the prevention of violence through strategies that promote health equity and community well-being.
Goals
- Enhance capacity of local, state, and national partners to advance policy, research, and practice in the areas of community safety and violence prevention.
- Increase knowledge regarding the impact of intentional injury and violence and strategies to address it.
- Facilitate public and private investment to support public health approaches for community safety and violence prevention.
Programs
The Division of Community Safety Policy and Engagement is the home of several programs and initiatives including 414 LIFE and the Wisconsin Community Safety Fund (WCSF).
414 LIFE
414 LIFE is a community violence intervention program focused on reducing conflict and retaliatory gun violence in the city of Milwaukee. A program of the City of Milwaukee’s Office of Community Wellness and Safety, the CIC Division of Community Safety has served as the program’s implementation partner since 2021. 414 LIFE also provides services to survivors of gun violence and their families at Froedtert, Ascension St. Joseph Hospital, and Advocate Aurora Sinai Hospital. This public health approach to breaking the cycle of violence was inspired by Goal 1 in Milwaukee’s Blueprint for Peace. This focuses on individuals and neighborhoods experiencing the highest rates of gun violence in Milwaukee.
Wisconsin Community Safety Program (WCSP)
Community safety is achieved when everyone has the opportunity to reach their full potential for health and wellbeing within thriving, equitable communities. In collaboration with local and national partners, the Wisconsin Community Safety Program (WCSP) raises awareness, improves coordination, and builds capacity for violence prevention. Our mission is to advance a unified, statewide approach to community safety across Wisconsin.
Learn more about the WCSP's work:
The Comprehensive Injury Center is committed to improving health and safety outcomes for Wisconsin residents. The Division of Community Safety Policy and Engagement works in partnership with the Division of Suicide Research and Healing and the Division of Data Analytics and Informatics to advance the mission of the Comprehensive Injury Center to prevent and reduce intentional injury, violence and suicide throughout the state.