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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

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.  Each year, the ReCAST initiative provides opportunities for organizations to apply for mini-grant funding.  The ReCAST Mini-Grant 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.  Sign up for the ReCAST newsletter which includes notifications about when the mini-grant funding becomes available, email philarecast@temple.edu.

ReCAST Events:   If you want to know what events are happening in the ReCAST communities, check out this e-bulletin board:  https://padlet.com/phillyrecast/recast-padlet-uiaz75huxlq5x5gy.

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 Funding.  Each year, the ReCAST initiative provides opportunities for organizations to apply for mini-grant funding.  The ReCAST Mini-Grant 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

Note:  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.  

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. 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.).

ReCAST Application Process: Applications are no longer being accepted at this time.  Please sign up for the ReCAST newsletter to keep abreast of ReCAST opportunities.

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.  

Note:  Submission of a ReCAST application does not guarantee funding, as this is a competitive process.  Selected applicants must also be prepared to submit additional information (e.g. W-9, child abuse clearances, insurance certificates or waiver). 

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Previously Awarded Grantees

Here is a list of previously awarded ReCAST grantees.

Research & Publications

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

Contact Information

Lenfest Center for Community Workforce Partnerships 

Ritter Annex, 4th Floor

1301 Cecil B. Moore Avenue 

Philadelphia, PA  19122 

Office:   (215) 204-7491

e-Mail:  philarecast@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.