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Social Determinants of Health
Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) are the conditions in the environments where people live, work, worship, and play that may affect a range of health and quality-of-life outcomes and risks.
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 multiple divisions across the Department and is coordinated through the SDOH Workgroup. Below are the activities and materials that guide this work.
Click for PDF downloadDBHIDS 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.
SDOH Equity Unit
SDOH Equity Unit oversees all SDOH tasks and projects while developing and implementing new tasks and projects based on funding opportunities, current project outcomes, and trends discussed across the Department.
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.
First Step Staffing
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.
Horizon House Employment
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.
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% fresh and 50% 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, which include but are not limited to 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.
Trauma
Trauma is an emotional experience to a single or collection of distressing events that results in challenges managing spiritual, mental, and emotional wellbeing. Trauma poses a significant threat to the overall health and wellbeing of individuals, families, and communities.
The goal of DBHIDS is to transform our operations to be trauma-responsive and trauma-mitigating by reducing traumatic experiences within systems. DBHIDS maintains and develops partnerships, administers programming, and implements evidence-based practices and innovative approaches to address the effects of trauma in the City of Philadelphia.
Housing
Housing and Homeless Services manages DBHIDS resources focused on ending homelessness. Click to learn more about DBHIDS Housing and Homeless Services.
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.
