A qualitative analysis of innovation forums for community violence prevention: the Big Idea

Communication and collaboration between healthcare, community, and government organizations is key for community violence prevention. This qualitative study aimed to assess Innovation Forum (IF) participant solutions’ alignment with recommended strategies, to identify innovative solutions, and to identify the most common participant priorities. IF were held via teleconference in August 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana with participants from healthcare organizations, the community, and local government. Forum solutions were documented, coded, and categorized to eight recommended violence prevention strategies from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institute for Criminal Justice Reform (NICJR). Uncategorized solutions were considered innovative. Solutions were analyzed by descriptive thematic analysis to identify participant priorities. Seventy-seven participants and 11 facilitators participated in 10 IF. Participants generated 162 solutions. Twenty-two solutions were unable to be categorized according to the CDC and NICJR strategies. The most common participant priorities were: 1. Improve collaboration between existing community organizations and dissemination of resources (42, 21.9%), 2. Improve the community’s physical and social environment (27, 14.1%), 3. Increase public awareness and media campaigns (26, 13.5%), 4. Promote a nurturing environment and supports for children and youth (26, 13.5%), and 5. Increase employment, vocational skills, and trade programs (19, 9.9%). Innovation forums identified innovative solutions and participant priorities for violence prevention with representatives from healthcare, the community, and government organizations. Most solutions and priorities aligned with national recommendations, reinforcing their relevance at the community level.