Illinois Department of Human Services Reports
Introduction
Since the office was created in 2021, IPCE has been proud to partner with the Illinois Department of Human Services, Office of Firearm Violence Prevention (OFVP). OFVP addresses the statewide public health emergency that is firearm violence through increased community capacity to address root causes of violence, provide those most at-risk access to evidence-based and trauma-informed services and advance equity and racial justice.
About the Partnership
Firearm violence is a multifaceted challenge that requires a public health approach to stop the cycles of violence in disproportionately impacted communities. The Office of Firearm Violence Prevention (OFVP) was created as a result of the Reimagine Public Safety Act (RPSA) (430 ILCS 69), which was passed by the Illinois General Assembly in 2021. The RPSA is a comprehensive approach to violence prevention in response to the State of Illinois’ heightened experience of loss, harm, and trauma by the hands of firearm violence
IPCE Director Joe Hoereth serves as the Chair of the OFVP Firearm Violence Research Group (FVRG). The purpose of the FVRG is to advise the office on its research needs, including identifying eligible communities for funding in accordance with the RPSA, advising on outcome measures for RPSA funded programs, and informing the office on metrics and data collection practices that best measure impact at a community level. FVRG helps OFVP staff make better, and more data informed decisions with input from experts and grantees.
The IPCE team also provides general support to OFVP staff. IPCE assists with compiling program data for its end of the year reports, technical assistance to grantees with regard to data, and with planning and hosting NOFO information sessions and the Convener’s Summit.