The Bridge's Intensive Prevention Services (BIPS) is an after-school prevention program serving youth between 10 and 19 years of age who are at risk of penetrating the dependency and/or delinquent child welfare systems due to high-risk behaviors. BIPS has been serving around 150 Philadelphia youth each year since its start in 2011. Program goals include:
- Improving family relationships
- Preventing risky behaviors
- Developing drug refusal skills
- Developing alliances
- Reducing negativity and resistance
- Improving communication
- Increasing motivation for change
- Reducing school dropout potential
The program uses a hybrid model which consists of site- and home-based services for all youth enrolled in the program, allowing us to wrap our programming around our clients' needs. Programming is centered around evidence-based, trauma-informed services that help youth foster self-worth and resiliency, enabling them to have a greater sense of responsibility and future goals.
Site-based programming consists of the following components:
- Conflict resolution
- Social-emotional competency building
- Mentoring and life skills training
- Educational recreation/field trips
- Individual case management
- Community service/engagement
- Academic support
Eligibility Information
We offer services in the greater West Philadelphia area of the city from Mantua all the way to Overbrook and Wynnfield, covering the following zip codes: 19104, 19139, 19131, 19143 and 19151.
Eligibility requirements include:
- Exhibiting at-risk behaviors in school, at home, or in the community
- Discipline problems at school or recurring conflicts at home
- History of running away
- Youth who are being diverted from arrest via the School Police Diversion Program
- Chronically Truant or in danger of dropping out of school
- Youth who need a safe space to learn and grow
This is a grant funded program that is a partnership between the Philadelphia Department of Human Services' Juvenile Justice Services Division; the Philadelphia Police Department; the Philadelphia Family Court; and the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office and its contracted service agencies.
For more information, please reach out to the BIPS Program Director, Chris Kanyugi.
Phone: 267-350-7636 Email:
