Over the past decade, the City of Philadelphia has supported evidence-based practices, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, by funding training initiatives and creating infrastructure in the local mental health system.
In 2017, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania surveyed hundreds of therapists in community mental health organizations in Philadelphia to understand their experiences in using evidence-based practices.
Their most striking finding? Many clinicians shared that they are “not at all” rewarded or recognized for implementing evidence-based practice.
In February 2018, we launched a month-long Your Big Idea Challenge to learn more about this topic from frontline clinicians. We asked, how can your organization help you use evidence-based practices in your work? Therapists from across the city submitted 66 ideas.
The Challenge Committee, led by Commissioner Jones, selected six winning ideas to be presented at an IDEA Gala in May 2018.
The gala was a great success, celebrating the winning clinicians and their innovative contributions. The event brought together health services researchers, mental health clinicians, and administrators to discuss new ideas for facilitating more extensive use of evidence-based practices in Philadelphia's mental health system.
Click here to learn more about the event and the winning submissions.
The IDEA Gala award winners and Challenge Committee members. (l to r) David Jones, Pedro Molteni, Shivan Mehta, Lisa Gaub, Kamilah Jackson, David Medina, Arturo Zinny, Michael Wintering, Cherie Brummans, Katrina Kirby, Alison Buttenheim, and Molly Stubbs. Photo credit: Hoag Levins, LDI.
