Promoting Healthy Social and Emotional Development for All Philadelphia's Children

The Philadelphia Compact is addressing a clear message that emerged from the Blue Ribbon Commission on Children's Behavioral Health:

The community wants to ensure that every child and family served by the behavioral health, child welfare and other child-serving systems is treated with dignity and respect. The community also called for children and their families to be empowered to participate in decision-making about their services, supports and treatment.

Philadelphia Compact Family Member Committee
The Philadelphia Compact Family Member Committee includes family members and caregivers of children under the age of 21 who are currently or have previously received behavioral health services. The focus of the Family Member Committee is to ensure family member voice and partnership in Compact related initiatives and activities. This includes participation on the Compact Council of Advocates, Department of Behavioral Health and Mental Retardation Services (DBH/MRS) committees and partnering with family support and advocacy organizations.

Philadelphia Compact Youth Committee
Under the direction of DBH/MRS, the Philadelphia Compact, the Youth Committee serves as a vehicle for the inclusion of Philadelphia's youth in the development and implementation of behavioral health initiatives designed to promote the healthy social/emotional well-being and resilience of all of Philadelphia's children, and to reduce the stigma associated with behavioral health issues. Youth members are trained to serve as advocates for youth issues in behavioral health, peer educators, mentors, and ambassadors for the Philadelphia Compact.