Sentara partners with VCU Health to prevent deaths and injuries
GRACY teaches consequences of reckless behaviors, including impaired driving
The Level I trauma program at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital is partnering with a program at VCU Health in Richmond, Virginia, to prevent deaths and injuries from reckless behaviors, including impaired driving and alcohol- and drug-related activities.
The program, called GRACY, stands for Get Real About Choices and Consequences for You. GRACY primarily accepts youth and adults referred by the courts, but it is open to anyone who might benefit from the program’s message. GRACY shows participants the consequences of reckless behaviors through psychoeducational programming and visits to hospital trauma departments and inpatient rehabilitation programs.
“GRACY is an evidence-based program that has been shown to make a difference,” said Michel Aboutanos, MD, medical director for the Level I trauma program at VCU Medical Center. “For us, taking care of so many injured patients from causes that are easily preventable, this program is invaluable.”
Funding from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles is allowing GRACY to expand its partnerships from Richmond to participating Virginia courts in the Hampton Roads area.
The General District and Juvenile & Domestic Relations courts in Norfolk, and the Juvenile & Domestic Relations court in Virginia Beach, have partnered with the GRACY program at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital to refer youth and adults to the program. Physicians and other providers can also recommend participants.
“Preventable injuries are the leading cause of death for those aged 14 to 25 years,” said Jerry Van Harris, manager of the GRACY program for VCU Health. “Many adults and adolescents are risk-takers who don’t weigh the consequences of their behaviors. GRACY tries to raise awareness and wisdom by showing participants what can happen if they don’t make responsible choices.”
For instance, alcohol is involved in about 40% of all fatal car crashes. GRACY homes in on the consequences of drug and alcohol use, especially in driving.
“We see the results of impaired driving every day,” said Valeria Mitchell, R.N., manager of the trauma service at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital. “Anything we can do to help reduce alcohol and drug-related injuries will be a plus for the community.”
GRACY participants take part in a wheelchair obstacle course, navigate with “Fatal Vision” alcohol impairment goggles, and use ignition locking systems that keep a vehicle from starting if the driver has a blood alcohol concentration above a certain level.
Participants also keep a journal of their experiences and complete at-home exercises, including writing their own obituary, attending a 12-step meeting, and discussing their GRACY experience.
The final phase is community service, when participants perform ten hours of meaningful community service within five weeks of completing the GRACY program. Participants receive certificates of completion and are monitored for relapses for a year.
“GRACY isn’t a perfect solution,” said Jerry Van Harris. “But we’ve proven over time that it has a positive effect on participants. Most of them wind up making better choices, and that’s a win for everyone.”
You can contact GRACY Hampton Roads at 757-388-6482 or GRACYSentara@vcuhealth.org
The program, called GRACY, stands for Get Real About Choices and Consequences for You. GRACY primarily accepts youth and adults referred by the courts, but it is open to anyone who might benefit from the program’s message. GRACY shows participants the consequences of reckless behaviors through psychoeducational programming and visits to hospital trauma departments and inpatient rehabilitation programs.
“GRACY is an evidence-based program that has been shown to make a difference,” said Michel Aboutanos, MD, medical director for the Level I trauma program at VCU Medical Center. “For us, taking care of so many injured patients from causes that are easily preventable, this program is invaluable.”
Funding from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles is allowing GRACY to expand its partnerships from Richmond to participating Virginia courts in the Hampton Roads area.
The General District and Juvenile & Domestic Relations courts in Norfolk, and the Juvenile & Domestic Relations court in Virginia Beach, have partnered with the GRACY program at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital to refer youth and adults to the program. Physicians and other providers can also recommend participants.
“Preventable injuries are the leading cause of death for those aged 14 to 25 years,” said Jerry Van Harris, manager of the GRACY program for VCU Health. “Many adults and adolescents are risk-takers who don’t weigh the consequences of their behaviors. GRACY tries to raise awareness and wisdom by showing participants what can happen if they don’t make responsible choices.”
For instance, alcohol is involved in about 40% of all fatal car crashes. GRACY homes in on the consequences of drug and alcohol use, especially in driving.
“We see the results of impaired driving every day,” said Valeria Mitchell, R.N., manager of the trauma service at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital. “Anything we can do to help reduce alcohol and drug-related injuries will be a plus for the community.”
GRACY participants take part in a wheelchair obstacle course, navigate with “Fatal Vision” alcohol impairment goggles, and use ignition locking systems that keep a vehicle from starting if the driver has a blood alcohol concentration above a certain level.
Participants also keep a journal of their experiences and complete at-home exercises, including writing their own obituary, attending a 12-step meeting, and discussing their GRACY experience.
The final phase is community service, when participants perform ten hours of meaningful community service within five weeks of completing the GRACY program. Participants receive certificates of completion and are monitored for relapses for a year.
“GRACY isn’t a perfect solution,” said Jerry Van Harris. “But we’ve proven over time that it has a positive effect on participants. Most of them wind up making better choices, and that’s a win for everyone.”
You can contact GRACY Hampton Roads at 757-388-6482 or GRACYSentara@vcuhealth.org
By: Dale Gauding