Somebody Call 988! A look at how Philly is adapting to a new mental health emergency hotline

Read full article on 34st.com Fifty years ago, people had to remember the different local seven–digit phone numbers to reach their police, fire, or medical services. Accidental (and preventable) deaths and injuries had become an epidemic. Enter 911, the standardized national number for emergency services. Fast forward fifty years, and 988 hopes to be the […]

‘Trigger’: Curbing Gun Violence Through Storytelling

See full report on nbcphiladelphia.com Philly Live’s Sheila Watko finds out how the film “Trigger” is looking to curb gun violence in Philadelphia one screening and conversation at a time.

Medical Assistance and CHIP: Unwinding Stakeholder Toolkit

From: Pa. Department of Human Services As you may know, effective April 1, 2023, the Pa. Department of Human Services returned to normal renewal processing procedures for Pennsylvanians enrolled in Medical Assistance and CHIP. All Medical Assistance and CHIP recipients will need to complete an annual renewal to see if they are still eligible for […]

Be Ready for Your Medicaid or CHIP Renewal

You have to compete a Medicaid or CHIP renewal each year to make sure you still qualify for coverage from the state. Don’t miss this important packet – watch for information from DHS about your renewal and be ready to complete your renewal packet when it arrives. If you do not complete a renewal, you […]

Mental Health Crisis Hotline is a Resource for Philly’s Marginalized Communities

Read full article in Philadelphia Gay News In light of the need for increased awareness of mental health resources, the Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual Disability Services (DBHIDS) rolled out their version of the national 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline support system in the summer of 2022. For people experiencing a mental health crisis, including […]

Helping Young Girls of Color Navigate the Trauma of Gun Violence

Read the full article on KYW NewsRadio Conscious Queens workshop focuses on mental health awareness  PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Growing up and coming of age already has challenges built in for young people, but when they experience gun violence in their community, their lives become even more stressful. And that violence has ripple effects that stretch […]

50 Unhoused Philadelphians Will Get A Proper Burial

Listen to podcast at City Cast Philly The remains of 50 unhoused Philadelphians will be laid to rest at Mount Peace Cemetery in North Philadelphia on Tuesday, May 23rd. Host Trenae Nuri talks with Michele Wexler, program manager of homeless services at the Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services, and Quibila Divine, […]

Don’t Risk Losing Your Medical Assistance Coverage

Your Action is Needed!! You will be required to renew your Medical Assistance eligibility. You will receive your renewal packet in the mail from the Department of Human Services (DHS). You will need to send your renewal packet timely to ensure you do not risk losing your Medical Assistance coverage.• 90-days prior to your annual […]

City Agencies Giving Proper Burials to People who were Homeless

Published by KYW Newsradio Lester Ross was well known among the homeless community in Philadelphia. People who knew him said he had an infectious smile and an outgoing personality. Ross died from COVID-19 in 2020, and it was discovered that his ashes were left unclaimed in the city morgue. “We had a New Orleans-style celebration […]

DBHIDS Launches Forensic Equity Unit

The Behavioral Health and Justice Division (BHJD) of the City of Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services (DBHIDS) is officially launching a new Forensic Equity Unit. The new unit will address the deep racial inequality within the justice system for people with serious mental illness by preventing incarceration for those at risk […]