Community Violence Intervention (CVI) uses multidisciplinary strategies to engage individuals and groups to prevent and disrupt cycles of violence and retaliation. It establishes relationships between individuals and community assets to deliver services that save lives, address trauma, provide opportunity, and improve physical, social, and economic conditions to prevent violence.

Following the Illinois State Board of Education’s (ISBE) Whole Child Task Force in early 2022, the Illinois House passed legislation requiring the creation of “a community or district-level Children’s Adversity Index to measure community childhood trauma exposure across the population of children 3 through 18 years of age” by May 31, 2025.

In October 2023, the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) welcomed a new Secretary, Dulce Quintero, who wants to create a visionary yet achievable department-wide plan. IDHS administers several vital safety net and other programs including Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Early Intervention programs, and Immigrant and Refugee Welcoming Centers.