Network of Neighbors November 2020 Training INFO SESSION

The Network of Neighbors--an initiative of the Dept. of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services (DBHIDS)--is Philadelphia's FREE citywide Trauma Response Network. This webinar will provide an overview of the Network of Neighbors initiative, our upcoming (virtual) training in November (2nd, 4th, 5th and 6th, 12 to 4 pm EACH DAY), and it will give you a sense of what volunteering with the Network is like!

The Network of Neighbors is made up of DBHIDS staff and trained agency and nonprofit personnel, school staff, city department representatives--and most importantly--Philadelphia community members! Together, the Network provides FREE trauma and evidence-informed support to communities in Philadelphia experiencing stress, trauma, violence, and loss. These communities include neighborhoods, blocks, schools, workplaces, civic associations, social groups, places of worship, rec centers, library branches, and many more.

The Network uses a unique approach called the ASK Model to build trust, restore safety, and empower the community by placing the community's natural leaders in the drivers seat. The ASK Model approach means that the Network MUST receive an invitation from a member of the impacted community before responding. After receiving the invitation, the Network works alongside the impacted community and its leaders to plan supports for that community. This approach requires a high level of collaboration. In addition, it is essential that we continue to train community members throughout Philadelphia that are trusted within their community and able to advocate on their behalf.

The training will be held from 12 pm to 4 pm each day: on November 2nd, 4th, 5th, and 6th. You must attend each day in order to receive your certificates and volunteer with the Network. At the end of the training, you will be certified in Psychological First Aid (PFA) and Post-Traumatic Stress Management (PTSM). PFA is a one-to-one stabilization technique used to assist an individual in crisis. PTSM is a series of community and group level interventions designed to decrease stress, promote peer connection and healthy coping, and identify community members in need of additional levels of support or behavioral health care.