Connecticut State Department of Public Health

Office of Firearm Injury Prevention

The mission of the Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) Office of Firearm Injury Prevention (OFIP) is to reduce firearm-related injury and death, fund and support effective programs, strengthen partnerships and collaboration, collect timely data on firearm-involved injury and death, evaluate effectiveness of programs, advocate for effective policies, determine community-level needs, and secure state and federal funding.

Through collaboration with experts, stakeholders, and community members, the office will spearhead innovative strategies and programs designed to prevent firearm injuries, support efforts related to community gun violence intervention and prevention, as well as reducing suicides by firearms and the use of firearms in intimate partner violence.

The office will also support the work of the Commission on Community Gun Violence Intervention and Prevention whose mission is to develop evidence-based, evidence-informed, community-centric gun violence prevention programs and strategies to reduce community gun violence in the state . The Commission was formed in July 2022 and is made up of health care providers, public health and violence prevention experts, law enforcement officials, and community leaders who are providing guidance to the Office.

The Office’s goals are to:

  • Build strong relationships with local organizations involved in community violence and gun violence prevention and intervention (VPI);
  • Use state funds to support effective community-based and hospital-based VPI programs for their growth and expansion to high-risk geographic areas throughout Connecticut;
  • Ensure trauma-informed care and wrap-around services are available to those most in need of these services;
  • Use enhanced surveillance data to design and target interventions and monitor progress in reducing firearm and sharp force-involved injuries and deaths; and
  • Have community-based VPI programs that use evidence-based/-informed and data-driven public health strategies to reduce and prevent injury and death.
  • Advocate for effective policies and protect CT national leading firearm safety legislation.
Resources

Data Reports

OFIP Annual Reports

 

Commission on Community Gun Violence Intervention and Prevention Site