PHOTO GALLERY    

The Philadelphia Compact Youth Committee and staff joined the DBH/MRS team at the Greater Philadelphia NAMI Walk on May 30th. The weather was beautiful and the strength of the community was powerful.

For the past two years the Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health has sponsored four murals through the Mural Arts Program. On Wed June 17th at 16th and Jackson the third completed mural was unveiled to the public. The themes of the murals were designed to help strengthen divided communities, reduce stigma, and promote mental wellness and safety among families and children. The title of this mural is "Keeping Kids Safe". Earlier this spring members of the Philadelphia Compact Youth Committee and staff joined efforts to complete the mural.

The Mothers, Fathers, & Caregivers Conference was held on November 7, 2008. The event was sponsored by BHTEN, Drexel University College of Medicine, DBH/MRS, and the Philadelphia Compact. The symposium provided a unique opportunity to learn about current research as well as local practices and experiences regarding critical issues facings parents and children in today's society. The conference was attended by over 300 participants including parents, caregivers, direct care professionals from many systems, and program and system administrators.

Resilience: Promoting the Strengths of Children, Families and Communities conference was held on September 26, 2008 at the Marriott Hotel in Philadelphia.

Youth Committee Member, Keith Wilson, and Deputy Mayor Dr. Don Schwarz at a recent PhillyStat meeting.

The Philadelphia Compact's Council of Advocates held their second quarterly meeting in June. They heard updates on the Compact's progress including the Youth Committee's work and honored the winner's of the recent poster contest.

The Philadelphia Compact participated in the first annual Greater Philadelphia NAMIWAlk on May 31st, 2008. There was both a Compact Team as well as a Compact table staffed by family and youth.

The Philadelphia Compact hosted an informational expo for families and teens in celebration of Mental Health Awareness Month and Children's Mental Health Awareness Day. Local providers staffed tables with information on mentoring, recreation, behavioral health services, family supports and other materials. There was entertainment and a fabulous weather!

The Philadelphia Youth Compact Committee presented at the R & R Conference presented by the Department of Behavioral Health/Mental Retardation Services and others. Members of the National Guard working with DBH/MRS's Children's Unit participated in the session.

Release event for the Blue Ribbon Commission on Children's Behavioral Health's Final Report and announcing the Philadelphia Compact.