Center for Violence Prevention at CHOP

06/18/2026

We love hearing from our former Injury Science REU interns on their adventures and advancements as they work toward their goals! We're excited to share that Se'maj Griffin, REU 25 has been awarded a research grant for Fulbright Canada next academic year! Se'maj will work with Dr. Wendy Gifford on her research team supporting qualitative research with indigenous populations in Alaska and Canada. At CHOP, Se'maj supported research on our UPLIFT Study with CVP. Congratulations!🎉

https://injury.research.chop.edu/training-opportunities/cirp-reu-alumni-stories/chop-reu-training-testimonial-semaj-griffin

06/17/2026

CVP Co-Director Dr. Stephen Leff recently spoke as part of a panel during the Intercultural Family Services Hope Symposium on Gun Violence Prevention in Philadelphia. Dr. Leff shared details on how CVP conducts community-focused research and develops innovative, evidence-based programs that are utilized in hospital, school and community settings.

06/16/2026

We look forward to following along with the amazing work of the Injury Science Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) interns this summer, as some work on violence prevention projects with CVP.

What a great start to the summer! 🎉 This week, we welcomed our 2026 Injury Science Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) interns and kicked off the program with a week full of introductions, learning, and new connections.

From arriving on campus to meeting mentors and research teams, interns began building the relationships that will support them throughout the summer. The week also featured sessions on research at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, human subjects research, and essential computer training, helping interns build a strong foundation for their projects.

Between training sessions, interns spent time working with their mentors, exploring their research environments, and beginning to engage with the work ahead. We're closing out the week with a networking event alongside CRISSP, giving students the opportunity to connect with fellow trainees and researchers.

We’re excited to see what this talented group accomplishes over the coming weeks and look forward to following their research journeys throughout the summer!

The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute

06/16/2026

Join is in congratulating CVP student Katherine Ardeleanu, LCPC on the successful defense of her dissertation for her PhD in May from Drexel University! Katherine has been working with the CVP team since early 2024 on a qualitative study for Stress-Less Initiative© implementation and impact in community mental health settings. Congratulations, Dr. Ardeleanu!

More about SLI: https://violence.chop.edu/stress-less-initiative

06/11/2026

The Pew Charitable Trusts recently awarded CVP's Violence Intervention Program (VIP) a grant to ensure stability and continued impact of program services. This support is allowing VIP to continue to advance research to expand the evidence of the impact of our hospital-based violence intervention services for CHOP patients and their families, creating tools and resources to support high-quality patient centered care. Thank you to The Pew Charitable Trusts for investing in our evidence-based research and helping us strengthen the impact of our work with youth and families in the community.

Learn more about our VIP program at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia: https://violence.chop.edu/research-and-programs/community-violence-trauma-support/violence-intervention-program

06/11/2026

What if the most important question isn't "What was intended?" but "What response would be most helpful in the moment?" Dr. Rui Fu discusses practical strategies for responding to identity-linked communication failures in her latest blog post. Read it here: https://ow.ly/ypOL50Zaalc

06/10/2026

Caitlin Axtmayer, LSW, MPH recently presented "Trauma-Informed Practices to Support Families and Staff" to Make-A-Wish Philadelphia, Delaware and Susquehanna Valley. CVP at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia provides trauma-informed care consultation and training for staff in a range of settings. Learn more: https://violence.chop.edu/trauma-informed-care-training

06/09/2026

Community Violence and Trauma Support team members Sylvia Renji, MSW, LSW and Tiziana Novruzaj attended a recent Open Wardrobe event and share more about Children's Hospital of Philadelphia's CVTS resources. Open Wardrobe is a day set aside each month to provide free clothing without an appointment time to a specific population.

06/08/2026

The Gun Safety and Community Violence and Trauma Support programs at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia shared resources with the community at last week's 3rd Annual Gun Violence Awareness Month event “Spread Love, Not Bullets” hosted by the Salvation Army Kroc Center Philadelphia.

06/06/2026

In honor of and weekend, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia buildings are lit up in orange this weekend. 🧡