Program Overview

ReCAST — which stands for Resiliency in Communities After Stress and Trauma — is an initiative led by the City of Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services (DBHIDS) in collaboration with Temple University and other community stakeholders.  The ReCAST initiative promotes resilience and equity in communities that recently faced civil unrest with a focus on youth and young adults and their families by developing evidence-based violence prevention and community youth-engagement programs, as well as offering linkages to trauma-informed behavioral health services. Over five years (2021-2026), this program will work closely with residents and community leaders to provide services, resources, and initiatives that promote resilience and equity, improve behavioral health connections, and reduce trauma through a sustained community-change process. 

The Philadelphia ReCAST Initiative serves six specific neighborhoods.

• North Philadelphia: Nicetown-Tioga, Sharswood-Stanton, Strawberry Mansion
• West/Southwest Philadelphia: Mill Creek-Parkside, Cobbs Creek, Paschall-Kingsessing

Philadelphia ReCAST Mission: To promote resilience and equity, improve behavioral health, and reduce trauma through a sustained community change process.

ReCAST Grant and Overarching Goals:  The Philadephia ReCAST Initiative is funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration via a grant awarded to the Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility  Services. The ReCAST goals are to:

• Prevent or reduce community violence involving youth and young adults and their families
• Address stress and trauma experienced by youth and young adults and their families
• Strengthen community capacity to foster engagement among neighborhood residents

ReCAST Mini-Grant Funding Opportunity:  Funding for the ReCAST Mini-Grants is now available for up to $20,000.  Applications are being accepted through Monday, January 5, 2025 at 5:00 PM.

ReCAST Period of Performance: Please note that the program must operate between March 16 and September 18, 2026. Final invoices with receipts and reports will need to be submitted by September 25, 2026.

Eligibility Requirements: This funding opportunity is open to grassroots/community-based agencies, faith-based organizations, non-profit organizations and local small businesses located in one of the six ReCAST neighborhoods of focus, as well as members of the ReCAST Community Advisory Council and former grantees who have met all ReCAST reporting and invoice requirements. Applicants must have a proven track record of service in community that they serve.  Note:  Applicants cannot be a member of the ReCAST Mini-Grant Committee nor can they be government entity (e.g. city department, public school, public library, etc.). Organizations that have already received two or more ReCAST mini-grants are only eligible to participate as a collaborating partner, not as lead applicants.

ReCAST Priorities and Project Ideas: The funding can be used to support activities and programs for youth and young adults (14 to 24 years) and their families and to further the ReCAST goals as stated above. All approved programs and activities must include some element or component that addresses mental health and well-being of youth, young adults and their families (e.g. promoting mental health awareness, providing mental health resources, teaching mindfulness, offering yoga, individual or group counseling, mental health workshops, etc.) Here is a list of potential strategies. 

• creating safe spaces for youth/young adults and families to address mental health, stress, and trauma and build resilience  
• engaging families to strengthen social, emotional, and behavioral wellness promoting youth resilience, leadership, advocacy, healthy intergenerational communication and self-expression, etc.  
• promoting healthy communication and conflict resolution within and across generations
• providing gun violence prevention activities involving youth, including sports and outdoor recreational opportunities, creative outlets (e.g. music, dance, arts and crafts)
• teaching academic and life skills, including STEM education, workforce development, financial literacy , entrepreneurial skills, conflict resolution, etc.
• providing training on trauma, youth mental health, etc.  
• beautifying and increasing safety of neighborhoods by engaging youth/young adults
• building community capacity to address ReCAST objectives, including promoting effective information and resource sharing

Budget Restrictions:  Funding cannot be used for purchase of alcohol or tobacco, for construction or renovation projects or for purchase of buildings. Programs cannot charge participants any fees.  Please note that the U.S. DHHS/SAMHSA has specific limits on the following expenses:

• The cost of food is limited to $3.25 per person per day.  
• Participants incentives are capped at $30 per activity.
• Consultant fees are allowable; however stipends and honorariums are not allowable.  

Please note that an advance of up to 30% can be provided for start up, however, this is a cost-reimbursable grant, which requires receipts to show proof of purchases.

ReCAST Application Process: Applications will be accepted through Monday, January 5, 2026 at 5:00 PM. A complete application includes:  

• A completed Google Form application.  Click on this link to submit an application: ReCAST Cycle 4 Application
• Budget included as attachment, using budget template found here: https://bit.ly/recastbudget

To prepare your application, you can obtain a hard copy of the application by clicking on this link: Hard copy of application

To help prepare your budget form, you can obtain a sample budget form by clicking on this link:  Example of a ReCAST Budget Form

To help prepare your budget narrative, you can obtain a sample budget narrative by clicking on this link:  Sample budget narrative

Note:  Submission of a ReCAST application does not guarantee funding, as this is a competitive process.  Applicants are strongly encouraged to attend a application workshop prior to submitting a proposal.

Selection Process and Criteria:  The ReCAST Mini-Grant Committee will review and recommend applications for funding. DBHIDS in conjunction with Temple University will make the final decision for awards. Applications will be evaluated on their alignment of their proposed project with ReCAST goals, incorporation of youth in the design or implementation of the ReCAST initiative, proven track record of service and community involvement, as well as clear demonstration of fiscal accountability and management. DBHIDS reserves the right to negotiate the scope of work and budget with applicants.  

Expectations of Grantees:   If awarded funding, grantees will be expected to submit additional information including:

• a signed Professional Services Agreement contract for approved programming and budget Sample Redacted PSA

• a Certificate of Insurance Sample COI - Sample Redacted COI

• a W-9 Sample W9 Form

• banking information to establish appropriate payment methods via Temple's PaymentWorks system

• quarterly program reports based on participation data

• invoices with validated receipts (all receipts must clearly show the name of vendor, date, amount, and purpose of expense/clear line items)