Internal Integration

• PACE: The DBHIDS strategic framework that is guided by the Systems Integration Unit and DBHIDS Division of Administration, Finance, and Quality’s Quality Management unit guides the priorities and activities that move these key performance indicators forward: Prevention and Early Intervention, Treatment and Services, Health Economics, Infrastructure and Intelligence, and Innovation. With this work we seek to create efficiencies, increase effectiveness, and maximize the impact of our work for communities. For additional information, please contact DBHIDS-PACE@phila.gov.
  RESOURCES
  – PACE landing page – contains links to strategic framework PDF and One Pager
  – PACE at a Glance – internal-only page where DBHIDS staff can find internal information about a PACE such as archived communications, PACE champions for each department, PACE e-learnings, and more.
• PACE Priority Advisory Group: A cross-divisional group that aims to strategically align resources with PACE priorities, including all aspects of DBHIDS TEC (addressing Trauma, achieving Equity, engaging Community) and SDOH (Social Drivers/Determinants of Health). This group works toward addressing current needs and anticipating future trends to create a more proactive strategy for addressing the behavioral health needs of Philadelphians.
• DBHIDS Program Directory: In collaboration with the DBHIDS Division of Administration, Finance, and Quality’s  Quality Management unit, the DBHIDS Program Directory was developed in 2021. The Program Directory is a tool hosted on the Qlik App that allows staff to search, filter, and access information on current programs funded through DBHIDS.
• Organizational Mapping: This project aims to gather and map out information important to making strategic organizationwide decisions. As a unit, Systems Integration is taking the time to meet with unit leaders across DBHIDS to gather information about the work and responsibilities of each unit. Our analysis will be used to answer a few questions: Where are activities currently housed and how are they implemented? Where is there capacity for additional projects? What recommendations can we make about reducing or reassigning work appropriately? Is there opportunity to eliminate duplicate work and/or align priorities? Upon analysis, we will present our findings to members of Executive Management for feedback. We will also create a visual representation of the information for DBHIDS staff to use in their work. For more information about this project, please contact DBHIDS-PACE@phila.gov
  

External Integration

• City Engagement Coordination Meeting: This group is comprised of DBHIDS staff across the Department with the goal of coordinating activities specific to addressing the substance use disorder (SUD) crisis in Kensington. Activities include participation in encampment resolutions and information sharing and discussion amongst DBHIDS external-facing teams, such as the Opioid Response Unit and the Managing Director’s Office. For more information, please contact the Systems Integration Unit at DBHIDSSystemsIntegration@phila.gov.
• Interagency Resource Sharing Group: this group is comprised of staff across several city agencies that meet to share resources, upcoming events, and new bulletins to better serve the residents of Philadelphia. For more information, please contact the Systems Integration Unit at DBHIDSSystemsIntegration@phila.gov.
  

Social Drivers/Determinants of Health (SDOH)

Using a whole-person health approach, DBHIDS invests in resources that address basic needs to help people achieve and sustain their behavioral health goals. Our key areas of investment include employment, housing, food security, technology, and transportation. This work is managed by several divisions across the Department and is coordinated through the SDOH Workgroup. Below are the activities and materials that guide this work.

DBHIDS SDOH Workgroup: The DBHIDS Social Determinants of Health Workgroup is comprised of management and team members across our seven DBHIDS divisions. Together, we collaborate, strategize, and operationalize our approach to population health and address the social determinants of health for our members across Philadelphia. Through sharing our respective areas of expertise, in areas such as housing, food insecurity, peer culture, and immigrant and refugee affairs, we meet monthly to review and set new goals with an innovative approach to increase access to services and treatment. If you are interested in joining us, please email DBHIDS.SDOH@phila.gov.

• Employment

Culture of Employment Workforce Committee: The Culture of Employment Workforce Committee is comprised of 22 internal and external services providers and stakeholders representing job seekers, employment providers, and representatives of criminal justice, education and training, LGBT, children and youth, information technology, intellectual disabilities, and others. The DBHIDS Workforce Committee meets once a month to focus on grant readiness, data evaluation and special populations, i.e., LGBTQ, veterans, and more. If you are interested in joining us, please contact DBHIDSWorkforce@phila.gov.

Workforce Clearinghouse: The Workforce Clearinghouse was established in 2021. The goal of the Workforce Clearinghouse is to identify, track, and assess recovery capital and outcomes related to assisting participants who experience or have experienced homelessness, substance use disorder, behavioral health challenges, and criminal justice involvement. The Clearinghouse allows the Systems Integration Unit to coordinate the connection of employment, training, education, and volunteer opportunities to educate and strengthen participant recovery. Qualitative data is combined with quantitative via the Clearinghouse as a tool to help improve existing programs and identify service gaps related to individuals seeking employment, training, education, and volunteer opportunities. For more information, please contact DBHIDSWorkforce@phila.gov.

DBHIDS Universal Employment Referral Resource Guide: Click to download PDF.

First Step Staffing

This video will serve to orient job seekers and others to First Step Staffing which serves as a rapid job placement program that also provides enhanced wraparound services. First Step uses an alternative staffing model to place individuals experiencing homelessness or other barriers to employment into jobs throughout the region. Positions are entry-level and middle-skilled jobs in the light industrial sector, hospitality, and janitorial sectors. As individuals are enrolled and placed into jobs they receive several support services, including ongoing job coaching and transportation services. These supports are critical in helping individuals obtain and retain employment. Please learn more by watching the video. Please direct any questions or concerns to DBHIDSWorkforce@phila.gov,

COMHAR

The video will serve to orient people to The Open-Door Clubhouse which is designed to provide psychiatric rehabilitation to individuals with serious and chronic mental illness. Employment is one of the primary modalities of rehabilitation used in the clubhouse model. The goal is to engage Clubhouse members into seeking opportunities and experiences that will increase their sense of self-worth and result in greater self-determination. Please learn more by watching the video. Please direct any questions or concerns to DBHIDSWorkforce@phila.gov.

Consortium

The video will serve to orient people to The Greenhouse Supported Employment program, which provides employment support services to Philadelphia residents with behavioral health diagnoses. Services include assistance with resume writing and job interview skills, identification of job leads, use of the internet for job searches, and support for when an individual starts a job. Job clubs are offered where members can gain peer support, share concerns about working, and share prospective job leads. Basic computer skills training is offered to facilitate effective online job search, online application completion, and email communication. The Greenhouse Supported Employment program utilizes Evidence-Based Practice principles, which has been shown through research to be the most successful approach to help individuals with behavioral health challenges find and keep employment. Please learn more by watching the video. Please direct any questions or concerns to DBHIDSWorkforce@phila.gov.

Horizon House

The video will serve to orient people to supported employment Program. The program provides a comprehensive array of services designed to assist individuals in choosing a career path and obtaining and maintaining a job of their choice in competitive employment. The program is based upon the SAMHSA evidence-based practices along with customized employment. Supports are provided throughout the process of choosing a career path, job seeking, and post-employment supports with no time limits. Ultimately, the goal is to help increase the likelihood of economic self-sufficiency through attainment of employment. Please learn more by watching the video. Please direct any questions or concerns to DBHIDSWorkforce@phila.gov.

• Food Security

DBHIDS FEEDS (Food Engagement through Efficient Delivery Services): In partnership with Food Connect, a Philadelphia-based food justice organization with the logistical infrastructure and social network to assist with fulfilling food box delivery work orders in a timely and efficient manner, we plan to serve 100 families on a bimonthly basis for one year with food box delivery to their homes. Each food box will consist of 50 percent fresh and 50 precent shelf-stable items and will be adaptable and attentive to the needs of members who may have cultural or allergen dietary restrictions. For more information, please contact DBHIDS.SDOH@phila.gov.

• Transportation

DBHIDS MASS (Mobility Access through Supplemental Services): In partnership with SEPTA, we plan to serve 30 families monthly for one year with Transpass distribution. These members will be able to access appointments in the community including behavioral health, employment, housing, childcare, technology, and other SDOH needs. Members can also engage with natural supports and build social support networks, thereby reducing isolation and other negative impacts of reduced mobility. For more information, please contact DBHIDS.SDOH@phila.gov.

• Technology

DBHIDS TEA (Technology Equipment Access): Through this pilot, 100 households in Philadelphia will receive Chromebooks to access telehealth and SDOH supports. We will seek to couple the equipment with free WiFi services through Comcast, our local cable provider, who is working with the City’s Office of Innovation and Technology. Not only will each individual household benefit from this grant, but local healthcare systems and community-based organizations can be more easily engaged and contacted by the people whose mission it is to serve, connect, and protect. For more information, please contact DBHIDS.SDOH@phila.gov.

• Prevention

Behavioral Health/Intellectual disAbilities (BHID) Quickscreen: In partnership with the DBHIDS Division of Intellectual disAbility Services (IDS) and the Office of Homeless Services (OHS), the BHID Quickscreen is used to briefly screen for mental health and/or substance use disorder history and needs. Individuals who access IDS and OHS at their “front doors” can be linked to the DBHIDS Division of Community Behavioral Health (CBH) Member Services through a streamlined referral system, which provides connection to other helpful resources and levels of care through CBH. For more information, please contact DBHIDS.SDOH@phila.gov.

• Mindfulness and Substance Use Prevention with DBHIDS, OHS, and the DEA

Through a recently established partnership with the Office of Homeless Services (OHS) and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), DBHIDS is pleased to offer virtual substance use prevention and mindfulness training for third through sixth graders at Philadelphia’s family shelters. DBHIDS is seeking to serve all of Philadelphia’s family shelters. Sessions are held for one hour and include 15 minutes of substance use awareness and prevention and 45 minutes of mindfulness training.

Children learn the real-life effects of substance use and how to use coping skills such as visualization and mindful breathing techniques as an adaptive mechanism for stress. They are also offered a delicious dinner and fun bracelet-making kit. The bracelet serves as a tangible reminder to use mindfulness skills every day to maintain health and wellness. Follow-up mindfulness sessions may be offered based on level of interest at each shelter. Movement classes may eventually be added to the roster as well. For more information about this, please contact DBHIDS.SDOH@phila.gov.

Trauma, Equity, and Community (TEC)

DBHIDS is focused on and committed to addressing Trauma, achieving Equity, and engaging Community in all our work. For more information, please visit the DBHIDS Trauma Initiatives and Resources page