Creating Culturally-Appropriate Care

Recognizing Philadelphia as a “city of neighborhoods,” DBHIDS launched the Person-First Task Force in 2008 to ensure high-quality behavioral health care is provided to the many different cultures and constituent groups. The task force includes:

•    Culturally diverse people who are experiencing behavioral health and substance use challenges
•    Family members and supporters
•    Care providers
•    Community leaders
•    The Mayor’s Office
•    DBHIDS staff

While the Task Force seeks to identify common themes and interests, the group is primarily focused on developing and providing recovery/resiliency-oriented services tailored to a person’s unique background, interests, and needs. These factors include:

Race Ethnicity Language capability Religion Gender Sexual Orientation

Gender identity Social role Age Physical ability Cognitive ability Economic status

The work of the Person-First Task Force has resulted in new practice standards and training that place a greater emphasis on culturally-appropriate care. While this initiative recognizes the city’s rich cultural diversity, the goal is to reduce and eliminate disparities so that every person has access to the highest quality of care and services.