Congratulations to Dr. Jill Bowen for being named as Commissioner of the Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services (DBHIDS). We’ve had the opportunity to work with Dr. Bowen in her role as Deputy Commissioner and are thrilled to continue our partnership as she moves into her new role.
The DBHIDS Commissioner plays a critical role in the health and wellbeing of Philadelphians. They are responsible for ensuring access to high quality mental health and addiction services. At the end of an unprecedented year with significant consequences for behavioral health, we know that DBHIDS will have to focus on the following:
- Integrating a racial justice lens into everything the Department does
- Expanding access to services that can address stress and other needs related to the COVID-19 pandemic
- Improving treatment options and harm reduction strategies to address the opioid epidemic
- Finding innovative practices for public safety that both empower and heal communities
- Collaborating with other government agencies, providers, and residents
- Collecting the right data to inform decision making
- Building a diverse, resilient, and supported behavioral health workforce
- Investing in programs that use an upstream approach to promote health and well-being
With a budget of over $1billion, we know that DBHIDS has the power to make tremendous positive change for Philadelphians. The Scattergood Foundation remains steadfast in our commitment to partnering with DBHIDS, the provider network, and the community to ensure the success of the new commissioner.