CITY OF PHILADELPHIA
DIVISION OF SOCIAL SERVICES
DEPARTMENT OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND MENTAL RETARDATION SERVICES

M E M O R A N D U M

 

TO          :           Executive Directors of Agencies Participating
                          in the Behavioral Health System

FROM     :            Arthur C. Evans, Ph.D., Director
                          DBH/MRS

SUBJECT:            Request For Applications (RFA) for Facility Improvement

DATE     :            June 28, 2007

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The purpose of this memorandum is to transmit the Department of Behavioral Health and Mental Retardation Services (DBH/MRS) Request For Applications (RFA) For Facility Improvements.

The Department of Behavioral Health/Mental Retardation Services has sought to transform the system of care in Philadelphia through a variety of initiatives.  This transformation has been designed to promote a recovery-oriented service system for people with substance abuse and psychiatric disorders, encourage the use of evidenced based practices, improve the cultural competency of all providers of care throughout the system, eliminate behavioral health disparities and heighten sensitivity around the issue of trauma and its impact on the provision of behavioral health care.
 
In making these changes, DBH/MRS has attempted to improve public performance by creating a citywide culture based on expectations for high quality, client/consumer responsive services.  A component in the provision of these services is the expectation that the physical sites where services are provided maintain acceptable standards.  These standards pertain to life safety issues and cleanliness as well as to the establishment and maintenance of a welcoming environment where clients/consumers receive the message that they deserve to receive services in an appropriately well-maintained environment.

With the recognition that funds for physical plant improvements are often overlooked or given low priority, DBH/MRS, through this Request For Applications (RFA), intends to make available a pool of funds to be used for the specific purpose of making physical site improvements in programs operated by treatment providers that are funded by DBH/MRS.

We look forward to your participation in this exciting initiative.

ACE:mjd

Attachment:   as noted above

Copy:   Executive Management Group
            Polly Schaller
            Tim Wilson