Temple University has been awarded $1.5 million in federal funding for its Philadelphia Healthy and Safe Schools (PHASeS) program, Rep. Brendan F. Boyle announced on April 8.
The funding aims to support behavioral health services for students in North Philadelphia public schools, addressing trauma and promoting well-being among children, staff, and educators.
“I am here for a very happy reason, and that is to announce I’ve secured $1.5 million for Temple University and its Philadelphia Healthy and Safe Schools program,” said Boyle. “I applaud everyone involved at Temple University for creating this program and sustaining it, and I hope that these resources will prove to be of great assistance.”
The PHASeS program operates within the Lewis Katz School of Medicine’s Center for Health Justice and Bioethics at Temple University. It provides behavioral health support in elementary and middle schools across North Philadelphia. Nicolle Strand, director of the Center for Health Justice and Bioethics, said the new funds will allow the initiative to expand its reach: “I’ve seen firsthand how valuable the PHASeS program is,” said Strand. “The team provides social and emotional support to kids, parents, teachers, staff and principals. They change school culture, transforming them into safer places, where adults are sensitive to the trauma that kids face. PHASeS help us step toward our goal of achieving health justice for all. We’re so grateful to accept these funds. Thanks to Congressman Boyle’s advocacy, even more members of our community will benefit from the PHASeS program.”
Since 2018, trauma specialists from PHASeS have worked with Mary McLeod Bethune Elementary School as well as Kenderton Elementary School; W.D. Kelley School joined in 2021. The initiative will expand further through a partnership with Tanner G. Duckrey School starting fall 2026.
Mary Beth Hays, director of the PHASeS program at Temple’s Center for Health Justice and Bioethics said: “I’m honored to lead an impactful initiative that is currently transforming the landscape of education in North Philadelphia… This vital program is dedicated to creating trauma-sensitive environments that profoundly enhance the well-being of both staff and students.”
Amy Goldberg, Marjorie Joy Katz Dean at Lewis Katz School of Medicine added: “The PHASeS program reflects the power of collaboration across Temple’s schools… We are especially grateful to Congressman Brendan Boyle for securing critical funding that allows this work to grow…”
Strand also highlighted ongoing data collection efforts evaluating how much impact these programs have on student outcomes: “Our partnership with Temple’s College of Education and Human Development allows us to robustly evaluate the program…”
Data collected since 2021 show that trauma specialists are trusted figures who help school staff manage emotions better while fostering supportive environments among peers.
Researchers from Temple’s College of Education have analyzed surveys from teachers/staff members along with interviews/observations totaling over 130 hours assessing changes in awareness about trauma-informed practices.
