System Transformation: An Update on Progress and Outcomes of Trauma Services in Philadelphia, PA

The Philadelphia Alliance for Child Trauma Services III (PACTS III): Fortifying the Future is designed to change the trajectory of trauma experiences for children and youth and build an effective and sustainable trauma system for Philadelphia children, youth and their families. The initiative is led by the City of Philadelphia's Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services (DBHIDS) and Community Behavioral Health (CBH) and has been implemented in community behavioral health agencies in Philadelphia, PA. Here, we provide an update on the program's progress and outcomes. Since 2012, 601 clinicians and supervisors have been trained in trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT), approximately 23,000 youth were screened for trauma, and 8,420 youth received TF-CBT. Access expanded as the provider network grew from 3 to 21 agencies. An ongoing evaluation will determine the client-level impact of these efforts. Altogether, this system overhaul has greatly enhanced trauma identification and intervention.