Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services

Overview of BHJD

In 2020, The Behavioral Health and Justice Division (BHJD) was launched as the seventh DBHIDS division after years as the Behavioral Health and Justice Related Services unit. As the seventh division, BHJD is committed to working towards reducing justice involvement for Philadelphians with behavioral health challenges including serious mental illness. BHJD organizes its work according to the Sequential Intercept Model, identifying opportunities to intervene at various points of criminal justice involvement to divert individuals from further penetration of the system and connect them to supports and services. BHJD also aligns with Stepping Up and focuses its efforts on lowering the number of individuals with SMI and co-occurring substance use disorders in county jail, admissions to county jail, the length of stay in county jail, and recidivism, and increasing connections to treatment and support. Vision: BHJD envisions a Philadelphia where every individual achieves health, well-being, and self-determination. Mission: Building on the Department’s overall mission, the Behavioral Health and Justice Division works to provide equal opportunities for treatment, support, and community integration for justice involved Philadelphians with behavioral health challenges by changing system outcomes. Goal: Reduce justice involvement for Philadelphians with serious mental illness.

BHJD UNITS

• Criminal Justice Program Unit
• Clinical Unit
• Planning, Policy, and Development Unit

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DBHIDS Postdoctoral Residency in Forensic Psychology

Interested in advanced training in forensic behavioral health assessment and policy? Consider the Behavioral Health and Justice Division Postdoctoral Residency in Forensic Psychology. See our BHJD Residency brochure or contact Chris.von.zuben@phila.gov for more information. Application deadline is Dec. 1, 2023.