Through community partnerships, mental health services, social and educational opportunities for youth, and hospital-based violence intervention programs, organizations and state and local governments across the country are using trauma-responsive approaches to address and interrupt cycles of violence. The Pathways Learning Network convened on Tuesday, June 13 to learn about how policymakers, community leaders, and advocates are working to prevent violence and provide trauma-responsive services to individuals and communities affected by violence to support the healing process. Read key takeaways from the session here.

During this session participants learned from Abigail Hurst, Director of Trauma-Informed Programs at Everytown for Gun Safety, about recent research exploring the far-reaching impacts of gun violence on individuals, families, and communities. Andrew Woods, CEO of Hartford Communities That Care, discussed hospital-based violence intervention programs and actions state Medicaid programs can take to address violence. Nannette Dix, Program Manager at the Louisville Office for Safe & Healthy Neighborhoods, shared how her office provides community-based programming and trauma-informed services and referrals to build more resilient communities.

Meet the Speakers

Andrew Woods, MSW, VPP

CEO, Hartford Communities That Care 

Andrew Woods is the CEO of Hartford Communities That Care (HCTC), a nonprofit 501 (c) (3), community-based organization founded in 1998, whose mission is to create a thriving, non-violent and drug free environment for youth and families. As a leader and advocate for victims of violence and trauma in underserved communities, HCTC identifies, develops and implements culturally appropriate, high quality and evidence-based crisis response, mental health and supportive programs, partnerships and policies to improve the lives of youth and adult victims of crime and their families. In 2004, Mr. Woods established the Hartford Care Response Team (HCRT), a Connecticut-based hospital-linked violence intervention program (HVIP). In recent years, the HCRT partnered with physicians and skilled nurses to provide in-home wound care for shooting victims released from area hospitals, while coordinating their out-patient care with behavioral health and primary care physicians. In 2019, the HCRT became the first Connecticut HVIP to secure Victims of Crime Act funds and under his leadership, Connecticut enacted legislation authorizing Medicaid to reimburse trained and certified Violence Prevention Professionals. Mr. Woods also serves as a senior advisor for Training & Technical Assistance at the Health Alliance for Violence Intervention. A former chair of the 2021 Connecticut General Assembly’s Gun Violence Intervention and Prevention Advisory Committee, Mr. Woods now co-chairs the Partnership, Programs, Stakeholders and Community Engagement Subcommittee of the Connecticut Commission on Community Gun Violence Intervention and Prevention.

Abigail Hurst, MSW

Director, Trauma-Informed Programs, Everytown for Gun Safety

Abigail Hurst, MSW, is the Director of Trauma-Informed Programs for Everytown for Gun Safety and comes to the gun violence prevention movement by way of the anti-domestic violence movement. In this role, Abigail leads the organization’s trauma-informed initiatives to support people and partners in the gun violence prevention movement. Throughout her career Abigail has been passionate about creating systemic change through collective storytelling and advocacy. Abigail has managed the Everytown Survivor Network Fellowship Program– a national leadership program for people who have been personally affected by gun violence and has previously served as a lobbyist and Policy Specialist for the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence representing survivors of domestic violence at the state and federal levels.

Nannette Dix

Program Manager, Louisville Office for Safe & Healthy Neighborhoods

Event Info

  • Location: Virtual
  • Date: June 13, 2023
  • Time: 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm ET
  • Phone: