Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health and Mental Retardation Services appoints manager to lead trauma informed system transformation

The City of Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health/Mental Retardation Services (DBH/MRS) is developing and implementing a strategic plan that will usher the entire system towards being trauma-informed.  To accomplish this goal, the Department has convened The Trauma Advisory Group (TTAG) which is comprised of professionals, people in recovery, and family members in order to ensure input from a cross-section of stakeholders. TTAG will be the driving force that will guide this trauma-informed transformation movement. Dr. Carissa Ferguson-Thomas, who has been an employee of DBH/MRS for the past 10 years, has been appointed full-time as the Manager of Trauma Informed System Transformation, and will chair the TTAG. Carissa holds a doctorate in clinical psychology and is a licensed  clinical social worker.  Multiplying Connections’ Director, Leslie Lieberman, and partners Antonio Valdes and Kalma White have been asked to participate in TTAG.