TEC: Addressing Trauma, Achieving Equity, Engaging Community
DBHIDS is committed to TEC, which is the lens we use to prioritize our work:
Addressing Trauma – transform operations to be trauma-responsive and trauma-mitigating
Achieving Equity – transform systems to reduce behavioral health disparities and promote racial equity among Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) by intentionally addressing structural and systemic racism
Engaging Community – shift services to become increasingly community based which will ensure long-term and sustained impacts of programs
Trauma
TEC: Addressing 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.
Equity involves the centering of opportunities and changes to a system so marginalization doesn’t unjustly predict one’s success. DBHIDS believes in a shared understanding and awareness of structural and institutional racism with the end goal of its work being to transform systems to reduce behavioral health disparities and promote racial equity among Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), ultimately improving outcomes for all.
Meaningful, inclusive community engagement is vital to overall wellbeing. By incorporating diverse voices, community members are empowered to participate in the programs and services that impact their daily lives.
At DBHIDS, we believe that an engaged community is an informed community. With an emphasis on collaboration and partnerships that create bidirectional opportunities for learning, our goal is to increase access, remove barriers, and develop outcomes that ensure individuals and communities thrive.
DBHIDS engages with community in a variety of ways in order to fully address the Social Determinants and Drivers of Health and ensure access to health-related resources for all Philadelphia residents.
In order to continue to engage with our community in new and dynamic mediums, DBHIDS Commissioner Jill Bowen has created TEC Talk Community Conversations, which features the Commissioner engaging with Community partners and thought leaders in dialogue based around addressing trauma, achieving equity, and engaging community.
Commissioner Bowen also conducts internal TEC Talks with DBHIDS staff members discussing how their work aligns with TEC.
Watch TEC Talk Community Conversations with DBHIDS Commissioner Jill Bowen
The Systems Integration unit seeks to align, coordinate, integrate, and connect information across the Department and city agencies to address the behavioral health needs and challenges of the residents of Philadelphia.
Included in this work are two pillars: internal integration and external integration, and three focus areas: Prioritizing to Address Our Changing Environment (PACE), the DBHIDS strategic plan; addressing the Social Determinants/Drivers of Health; and addressing Trauma, achieving Equity, and engaging Community (TEC). Our work is collaborative and achieved with all divisions across the Department.
Internal Integration
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
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)
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.
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)
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
DBHIDS supports and participates in research about the behavioral health and intellectual disability system and services in Philadelphia. Findings from these research efforts inform the Department in programmatic decision-making, policy discussion and development, and in addressing population-level needs. The purpose of DBHIDS supported research is to provide analysis and findings to decision-makers including Department and City leadership, local and state policy leaders, provider agencies, advocates, persons in recovery, and family members to continuously advance the behavioral health and intellectual disability system in the City of Philadelphia.
As the public behavioral health system of Philadelphia, DBHIDS oversees a vast network of providers to provide services to more than 180,000 Philadelphians annually who receive behavioral health and intellectual disability services. Use the links below to find information about DBHIDS and other relevant research.
The Department has a long and strong history of collaboration with academic partners, locally and nationally, to conduct research on questions of interest to the Department and the City of Philadelphia. DBHIDS supported research has explored and examined questions about different populations in need of behavioral health and intellectual disability services, including school children and youth, forensic and justice-involved individuals, Medicaid population, among others. Use the topic area links below to locate research findings and publications about DBHIDS system and services.
If you would like to propose a research study that involves data, staff, programs, or providers of DBHIDS, you will need approval from the Research Proposal Committee. The Committee ensures that the Department is an active partner throughout your research process, inclusive of the findings.
If you want to use human subjects for your research, you will also need approval from the Institutional Review Board (IRB). The IRB requirement includes unit approval from the department(s) that you are working with, therefore any research involving DBHIDS will need unit approval from DBHIDS.
To use DBHIDS data and publicize your findings, the City of Philadelphia requires a Data License Agreement (DLA) between your research institution and DBHIDS. The DLA includes a requirement to provide DBHIDS with your final manuscript or presentation for a specified amount of time as notice to publicize your findings. Therefore, you will also need approval from DBHIDS if you plan to publish or present your research findings. DLA requirements can be found here.
DBHIDS has a Centralized System for Requests (CSR) to manage requests from external partners and entities for data and information. Please submit your request to DBHIDScentralizedrequest@phila.gov and include the information indicated below.
Research idea/proposal – Attach your research idea or proposal as a Word file. Your document should specify what support you are seeking from DBHIDS, including data, staff participation, provider cooperation, etc. Your proposal should include how the findings can be of use to DBHIDS. Your idea/proposal will be reviewed by the Research Proposal Committee at an upcoming meeting, with a decision communicated to you as soon as possible.
Data Request for research – Attach your research proposal as a Word file. Your document should include the purpose of your request, who the data will be shared with, and your intended due date. Turnaround time will vary based on the data being produced and the urgency of the request. Your document should also specify what data/information you are seeking from DBHIDS, including variables or fields (if known), all parameters (e.g. time period) and if you are seeking identified or deidentified data.
Unit approval for IRB application – Attach the filled out unit approval form. If you have previously received approval from the Research Proposal Committee, attach the approval communication. Indicate the date that you need the unit approval by in your email.
Notice of publication intent – Attach the final manuscript or presentation. Include the reference number of the executed DLA in your email. Turnaround time for DBHIDS review of final manuscript or presentation is indicated in Section 8 of the DLA.
For letter of support requests, please refer to this policy.
A narrative description of the study (if not included with the IRB application materials).
A letter of support from all City departments contributing data.
Any state- or federal-level approvals, if necessary.
DBHIDS will provide data to the non-City principal investigator when the DLA is fully executed. For publication or public presentation of research findings, the DLA requires that you provide your final manuscript or presentation to DBHIDS. For these two processes, DBHIDS have a centralized request system. Click here for more information.
The year 2015 marked the Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services’ 10th year anniversary of our system transformation efforts.
In 2005, the City of Philadelphia made the decision to transform its behavioral health and intellectual disability services systems to improve the health status of Philadelphians in need of behavioral health and intellectual disability services. Since then, DBHIDS and the city of Philadelphia have been at the forefront of international efforts to transform systems of care with an emphasis on recovery and resilience for behavioral health services, and self- determination for individuals with intellectual disabilities.
From its inception to the present, many Transformation Champions have been integral in exemplifying the transformation principles and supporting recovery, resilience, and self-determination for individuals, families, and communities.
A message from former DBHIDS Commissioner Dr. Arthur Evans
Transformation Decade Events
Over a ten month period, between February and November of 2015, DBHIDS-led events ten events (and additional celebrations across the city of Philadelphia) representing system transformation milestones.
Monthly Themes
[simple_tooltip bubbleposition=’right’ content=’Transformation Decade celebration kickoff, marking the successes, lessons learned, & origins of DBHIDS system transformation initiatives
[simple_tooltip content=’Dedicated to promoting the broad range of supports and services available to individuals with intellectual disAbilities, with emphasis on promoting self-determination, meaningful personal relationships, and community participation
[simple_tooltip content=’Observing the wide variety of community-based partnerships and Person-First outreach, engagement, and prevention activities and strategies, directed at creating communities of recovery and resilience
Community Mental Health & Wellness[/simple_tooltip]
[simple_tooltip content=’Recognizing the transformation of treatment and supportive services for children and youth, reinforcing the importance of resilience-oriented care
[simple_tooltip content=’Highlighting DBHIDS interdepartmental partnerships, focused on enhancing services & coordinating care (e.g. School District of Philadelphia, Dept. of Human Services, Philadelphia Police Dept., etc.)
[simple_tooltip content=’A two-part series, celebrating the diverse innovations & improvements which have shaped the transformation of service delivery strategies within the DBHIDS system (e.g. Practice Guidelines, evidence-based practices, Affordable Care Act, etc.)
Align, Coordinate & Integrate: Innovations & Improvements in Service Delivery
(Part 1)[/simple_tooltip]
[simple_tooltip content=’A two-part series, celebrating the diverse innovations & improvements which have shaped the transformation of service delivery strategies within the DBHIDS system (e.g. Practice Guidelines, evidence-based practices, Affordable Care Act, etc.)
Align, Coordinate & Integrate: Innovations & Improvements in Service Delivery
(Part 2)[/simple_tooltip]
[simple_tooltip content=’Commemorating the transformative efforts of substance use prevention, intervention, treatment, and recovery advocacy in Philadelphia
[simple_tooltip content=’Acknowledging the influence of peer support/leadership services and family member inclusion in building communities of recovery, resilience, and self-determination
[simple_tooltip content=’Culminating month, officially celebrating DBHIDS Transformation Decade champions, including key stakeholders (internal & external) and additional community members throughout the City of Philadelphia
Current licenses for all clinical staff members (Psychiatrists, Psychologists, BSC, etc.)
Board Certification status for child/adult psychiatrists
Current Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) certificates for all prescribing practitioners
Facility License(s)
Accreditations, if any
Program descriptions
Any memos of understanding (MOUs) with external organizations Prior to the site review the agency is required to submit the following information to the NIAC unit:
Submit incident reporting rates on all the following high-risk behaviors including:
Suicidal/homicidal attempts
Physical/mechanical/chemical restraints
Elopements
Naloxone administration
Bio-medical/physical health concerns requiring urgent care, etc.
A blank template of all Assessment Forms utilized within the agency
Written policies on the following:
Clinical Supervision; Performance Evaluation; Collection of Feedback from Program Participants, Families, Allies and Program Alumni; Measuring the Effectiveness of Services; the Role and Impact of Peer Support; the Completion of High Risk Behavioral Assessments;; Prescribing of Benzodiazepines; Use of Antipsychotic Medication in Children and Youth; Use of Psychotropic Medications in Children and Adolescents (FDA approved & off label); Screening for and Treatment of the Components of Metabolic Syndrome; the Full Range of Treatment Services Provided by Methadone Treatment Centers; Preventative and Diagnostic Healthcare; On-site Maintenance, Administration and Prescription of Naloxone; Tobacco Free; Confidentiality, Sexual Harassment; Review of Interim Services; Priority Populations; Single County Authority (SCA) Procedures; Family Inclusion
II. Site Visit
III. Debriefing
Units across DBHIDS are informed of the findings
Referrals for Technical Assistance are made as necessary
IV. Report generation
The components of NIAC reports are derived from several site review activities: the Self-Appraisal, living reviews, clinical chart reviews, facility tours, discussions with staff members, discussions with individuals receiving services, staff file reviews, an interview with an executive level staff member, review of written policies and general observations.
Each report requires the agency to submit a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP).
V. Presentation to the CBH Board of Directors (if funded by CBH) for review and determination of final re-credentialing status as well as the NIAC Credentialing Committee (if funded by other funding streams) for review.
Transformational change requires a new way of leading. Stakeholders must have more than a voice. They need opportunities to shape and direct the transformation process rather than simply react to it. These Planning Documents are the product of Philadelphia’s collaborative planning efforts:
Continuing to transform how children and adults receive mental health, addiction treatment and other assistance is the goal of the Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services in marking its 12th anniversary.
