Connecticut Children's SCOPE Project Awarded $1 Million to Protect Hartford Children from Gun Violence

Connecticut Children’s Foundation Announces $1 Million Grant from The Tow Foundation to Protect Vulnerable Youth from Gun Violence

Connecticut Children’s, the state’s only healthcare system dedicated exclusively to the care of children, has received a $1 million grant from The Tow Foundation to support the hospital’s efforts to identify children with high levels of violence exposure and connect families to community-based resources and violence intervention and prevention services.

The City of Hartford has seen an increase in gun violence in recent years. In 2022, 21 children were shot and injured, and 15 children died. Of the 60,000 children who visit Connecticut Children’s Emergency Department each year, about 10,000 are residents of Hartford. Connecticut Children’s is uniquely positioned to help prevent future violent injuries and promote the safety, health and well-being of Hartford’s most vulnerable children.

"We are so grateful to The Tow Foundation for their support of the Strengthening Connections to Opportunities for Prevention Engagement (SCOPE) project to enable us to address the critical issue of violence prevention for Hartford children and youths,” said Paul Dworkin, MD, Executive Vice President for Community Child Health at Connecticut Children’s. “This funding will enable us to identify children and youth at high risk of violent injuries; assess the concerns, needs and priorities of their families; and employ care coordinators to ensure linkage to community-based programs and services."

The SCOPE project’s integrated approach to screening and early detection, service referral and follow-up addresses gun violence at all levels—including preventing violence before it occurs and breaking the cycle for those who have already been involved in gun violence.

“Every child should have the opportunity to grow up in a safe, healthy and violence-free environment,” said Emily Tow, President of The Tow Foundation. “We look forward to seeing Connecticut Children’s SCOPE project ensure that children and families affected by violence in Hartford have the care and support they need.”

About Connecticut Children’s

Connecticut Children’s is the only health system in Connecticut 100% dedicated to kids. That means high-quality care across more than 30 pediatric specialties in 40+ locations throughout Connecticut, Eastern New York and Western Massachusetts. One team on a mission to improve access to healthcare from before birth and into adulthood. One team pushing the limits with breakthrough research and community partnerships so we can help you focus on what matters most: your family’s wellness journey. When you choose Connecticut Children’s, you can expect Care Beyond Imagination. www.connecticutchildrens.org

Connecticut Children’s is a not-for-profit organization with a mission to improve access to health care for all children.

About The Tow Foundation

The Tow Foundation was established in 1988 by Leonard and Claire Tow as a way to give back to the communities that shaped them. Its five primary impact areas are equity and justice, medicine and public health, arts and culture, higher education, and civic engagement. Grounded in its decades of work in Connecticut and New York and based in New Canaan, CT, the foundation supports visionary leaders and nonprofit organizations to find and enact innovative solutions to persistent inequality. It works to ensure people can become full participants in their communities, achieve transformative and lasting progress, and develop approaches that allow everyone to reach their full potential. www.towfoundation.org