Saint Francis Hospital Announces $1.5 Million Federal Earmark to Expand Trauma Recovery Services

Saint Francis welcomed U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal to announce $1.5 million in federal investment to strengthen trauma recovery and victim services at the Curtis D. Robinson Center for Health Equity.

The funding will support the transition of two community-based, trauma-informed therapy programs, the Greater Hartford Family Advocacy Center (GHFAC) and our Hospital-based Violence Intervention Program (HVIP), into a single, coordinated system of care. This comprehensive approach is designed to create a safe, healing environment that strengthens resiliency for individuals and families impacted by trauma. 

“This investment allows us to respond to the growing and urgent need for trauma-informed care in our community,” said Carolyn Alessi, MBA, Regional Director, Community Health and Well Being, Trinity Health Of New England. “By expanding staffing and integrating innovative therapeutic approaches, we can meet people where they are and provide the consistent, culturally responsive support survivors need to heal.” 

“Too many people across Connecticut live with the lasting impacts of violence,” said Senator Blumenthal. “This $1.5 million in federal funding will help survivors access the comprehensive, trauma-informed care they need to heal and rebuild their lives. I am proud to support Saint Francis Hospital as they lead the way in delivering compassionate care to those who need it most.”

The new program will formally integrate somatic therapy with established clinical modalities, including Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EDMR), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), relational psychotherapy and Brainspotting. Somatic therapy is an evidence-informed approach that focuses on how trauma is stored and processed in the body, helping individuals address symptoms of PTSD, grief, anxiety and depression, both physically and psychologically.

The initiative is informed by the nationally recognized trauma recovery frameworks that have demonstrated higher engagement in mental health treatment and measurable improvements in post-traumatic stress, depression and daily functioning. These outcomes underscore the value of coordinated, survivor-focused models in improving long-term recovery and stability. 
The program combines the strengths of the GHFAC and community violence intervention programs into a unified wraparound model. While demand for services has continued to rise, staffing limitations and funding constraints, including federal and state cuts and the lack of staffing support from private funders, have limited program expansion.

From 2021-2023, GHFAC served more than 4,100 individuals with 1,156 receiving individual trauma therapy, underscoring both the scale of community need and the importance of sustained investment.

“This funding allows us to strengthen a system of care that addresses both acute and long-term trauma, particularly in communities that have been historically underserved,” said Valerie Powell-Stafford, MHSA, FACHE, President, Saint Francis Hospital and Mount Sinai Rehabilitation Hospital. “It represents a meaningful step toward equity, access and healing.”

By investing in a coordinated trauma recovery framework, this federal earmark advances shared priorities related to public safety, mental health access and equity. The initiative strengthens community-based capacity, supports victim services and helps ensure that survivors of violence across the greater Hartford region can access timely, effective care.

“In 2004, we partnered with Saint Francis Hospital to establish Connecticut’s first Hospital Violence Intervention Program, recognizing the importance of intervening at critical moments after trauma," said Andrew Woods, CEO, Hartford Communities that Care, Inc. “We congratulate Saint Francis on securing federal funding to further strengthen this work. This investment will expand complementary Trauma Recovery Center services, deepening our shared ability to reach survivors when it matters most, reduce barriers to care and support long-term healing for individuals, families and communities most impacted by violence.”