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Philadelphia ReCAST

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

ReCAST Mini-Grant Opportunity

On April 18, 2023, the City of Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services released its application for ReCAST Mini-Grant funding.

  • Tier 1: Up to $10,000 - Tier 1 funding is for individuals who reside in one of the ReCAST neighborhoods.
  • Tier 2: Up to $20,000 - Tier 2 funding is for a single organization serving at least one ReCAST neigborhood.
  • Tier 3: Up to $45,000 - Tier 3 funding is specifically for ReCAST Projects that involve at least two partner organizations and span across two or more targeted ReCAST neighborhoods.

ReCAST Project Ideas:  The funding can be used to support activities and programs geared to:

  • creating safe spaces for youth/young adults to address mental health, stress and trauma and build resilience
  • engaging families to strengthen social, emotional and behavioral wellness
  • promoting youth resilience, leadership, advocacy, etc.
  • providing gun violence prevention activities youth
  • teaching workforce and entrepreneurial skills 
  • 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

ReCAST Application Process:  Applications are no longer being accepted.  Next funding cycle will occur in Fall 2023.  

 

More Information

Neighborhoods of Focus

West Philadelphia

  • Cobbs Creek
  • Mill Creek-Parkside
  • Paschall-Kingsessing

North Philadelphia

  • Nicetown-Tioga
  • Sharswood-Stanton
  • Strawberry Mansion

Click here to see a map of the ReCAST neighborhoods:   https://bit.ly/recastneighborhoodmaps

Our Goals
  • Reduce trauma among high-risk youth and families in the six targeted neighborhoods through the implementation of evidence-based violence prevention programs, community- and youth-development programs, and linkages to trauma-informed behavioral health services.
  • Create opportunities for faith leaders and treatment providers of color to infuse the treatment system with practice-based culturally competent evidence.
  • Expand culturally competent trauma-informed behavioral health practices in schools and community youth programs through training in evidence-based practices designed for communities of color, such as PLAAY (Preventing Long Term Anger and Aggression in Youth).
  • Create youth support and leadership development. Philadelphia ReCAST will build an Emerging Leaders Community.
  • Ensure that community leaders and young adults have the tools they need to conduct evaluations without researchers driving the process.
Key Activities and Initiatives
  • Table Talks
  • Community Strategic Plan
  • Community Advisory Council 
  • Mini-Grants Program
  • PLAAY
  • SOS
  • Network of Neighbors
Funding Opportunity and Resources

ReCAST Mini Grant Opportunity

The City of Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services released its Spring 2023 Mini-Grant opportunity. Funding was available in three Tiers:

  • Tier 1: Up to $10,000 - Tier 1 funding is for individuals who reside in one of the ReCAST neighborhoods.
  • Tier 2: Up to $20,000 - Tier 2 funding is for a single organization serving at least one ReCAST neigborhood.
  • Tier 3: Up to $45,000 - Tier 3 funding is specifically for ReCAST Projects that involve at least two partner organizations and span across two or more targeted ReCAST neighborhoods.

Eligibility Requirements:  This funding opportunity was open to residents, grassroots/community-based agencies, faith-based organizations, non-profit organizations and local small businesses located in one of the six ReCAST neighborhoods of focus.  

ReCAST Project Ideas:  The funding can be used to support activities and programs geared to:

  • creating safe spaces for youth/young adults to address mental health, stress and trauma and build resilience
  • engaging families to strengthen social, emotional and behavioral wellness
  • promoting youth resilience, leadership, advocacy, etc.
  • providing gun violence prevention activities youth
  • teaching workforce and entrepreneurial skills 
  • 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

ReCAST Application Process:  Applications are no longer be accepted.  Future funding opportunity will be coming in Fall 2023.

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Research & Publications

Here are the needs assessments for each of the six ReCAST neighborhoods.

Contact Information

Cierra Freeman (pronouns: she/her)

Community Outreach Coordinator, RECAST

Lenfest Center for Community Workforce Partnerships 

Ritter Annex 479

1301 Cecil B. Moore Avenue 

Philadelphia, PA  19122 

Office:   (215) 204-0456 

Cell:       (267) 323-6085 

e-Mail:  cierra.freeman@temple.edu 

Funder

Our work is made possible thanks to the lead agency, the City of Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services.  DBHIDS's mission is to education, strengthen and service individuals and communities so that all Philadelphians can thrive.

Funding for the Philadelphia ReCAST Initiative comes from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services / Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Grant Number H79SM084863.