Helping Philadelphia Students Stay on Track
F
ifteen-year-old high school freshman
of the court system and the child services
White as another example of a BIPS success
Kendall White loves his world history
system.” Although it is a new program,
story. After coming to BIPS in March, White
class. He dreams of joining his school’s
students are already showing notable im-
resolved to better his academics. “I got a lot
football team next year and maybe the hip-
provement. For example, one set of parents
of help at BIPS,” says White. “My grades
hop club. When he grows up, he wants to
reports that their son’s “grades have gotten
definitely improved. If I could give freshmen
become an architect or an artist. But before
better, he comes to the program on a regu-
one piece of advice, it would be: ‘Go to class
White came to The Bridge Intensive Pre-
lar basis and he recently had a job interview
and go prepared.’”
vention Services (BIPS) program, he would
with a museum,” says Wood. “This popula-
often skip school and was in danger of failing.
tion, and the field as a whole, does not al-
Spring 2011 marked the start of BIPS,
ways produce immediate success, but with
a collaboration among PHMC affiliate The
patience change can happen.” Wood cites
For more information about BIPS, contact Sulaiman Wood at swood@phmc.org or 267.350.7634.
Bridge and Philadelphia’s Department of Human Services (DHS) and Family Court. It helps students like White avoid truancy and achieve academic goals. A comprehen-
Notables
sive after-school program serving West and
Honors, Awards and Achievements
Reduced Risk of Unrecognized HIV Infection
Southwest Philadelphia, BIPS provides
The Southeastern Pennsylvania Chapter of the
Among Black and Latino Men who Have Sex
intensive, in-home case management ser-
American Red Cross named the Honorable
with Men,” an article published online on
vices and counseling to students and their
Renée Cardwell Hughes, chair of the board of
July 31 by AIDS and Behavior. Lauby, with six
families. Staff members help youth develop
directors of Public Health Management Corpo-
other researchers, examined the hypothesis
social and civic skills, better their academic
ration, as its new Chief Executive Officer. Judge
that black and Latino men who have sex with
performance and avoid negative influences.
Hughes, who was chosen after a nationwide
men (MSM) and who have supportive social
“BIPS is very client-centered,” says Bridge
search, began her new position as CEO in May.
relationships with other people are less likely
Director Michael Ogden. “It’s specific to
Previously, Judge Hughes served as a trial
to have unrecognized HIV infection compared
each child. We want to help them achieve
judge in the Court of Common Pleas, the First
with MSM of color who report lower levels of
academically and also stabilize.”
Judicial District of Pennsylvania, which encom-
social support. The study used interviews with
passes the City of Philadelphia.
1,286 black and Latino MSM in three metro-
“The children here know that staff are genuinely concerned with their welfare,”
politan areas. The researchers found that men
says Program Director Sulaiman Wood.
On June 28, the DHS Parenting Collaborative
with supportive relationships were more likely
The BIPS staff includes Wood, three case
celebrated 10 years of providing parenting
to have recently taken an HIV test and were
managers, three counselors and other sup-
education as a means to prevent child abuse
less likely to report risky sexual behavior.
port personnel. DHS and the court system
and reduce the need for child protective
refer students to BIPS, which is located in
service interventions. The innovative public-
The August 2011 Best of Philly issue of Phila-
West Philadelphia. Participants begin each
private partnership uses parenting education
delphia magazine named Students Run Philly
weekday with a snack and homework. On-
to reinforce supportive behaviors of parents,
Style, a program of PHMC affiliate National
site staff assist students with homework
enhance parenting skills and teach alternative
Nursing Centers Consortium, the area’s “Best
before moving on to facilitate group ther-
approaches to child rearing. DHS Parenting
Kids’ Self-Esteem Booster.” The only program
apy sessions. Twelve students enrolled in
Collaborative operates through the support of
in Philadelphia that offers marathon training
the spring 2011 semester.
PHMC, United Way of Southeastern Pennsylva-
to help youth succeed in life, Students Run
nia, Institute for Family Professionals and the
Philly Style has served over 2,500 Philadelphia
Philadelphia Department of Human Services.
students, ages 12–18, since it began in 2004.
In addition to working directly with students, staff communicate with parents to facilitate growth and development. “We know
The program connects youth with an adult
that children thrive when they’re at home,”
Jennifer L. Lauby, PHMC’s senior research
mentor who helps them achieve both aca-
says Wood. “By working with the parents,
scientist, is the lead author of “Having Sup-
demic and fitness goals.
we hope we can better keep children out
portive Social Relationships Is Associated with
continued on page 10
Public Health DIRECTIONS SUMMER/FALL 2011 page 9