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 sections of the city, 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 (contact information below).
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