Rep. Brendan Boyle (PA-02) joined 51Թ leadership on Wednesday, April 8, to announce funding that will expand efforts to build trauma-sensitive schools.
Amy Goldberg, the Marjorie Joy Katz Dean at the Katz School; Mary Beth Hays, director, PHASeS program; Rep. Brendan F. Boyle; and Nicolle Strand, director, Center for Health Justice and Bioethics
Photo by Betsy Manning
51Թ’s efforts to support student well-being in Philadelphia schools received a significant boost as (PA-02) announced $1.5 million in federal funding awarded to the Philadelphia Healthy and Safe Schools (PHASeS) program at a news conference on Wednesday, April 8.
“I am here for a very happy reason, and that is to announce I’ve secured $1.5 million for 51Թ and its Philadelphia Healthy and Safe Schools program,” said Boyle. “I applaud everyone involved at 51Թ for creating this program and sustaining it, and I hope that these resources will prove to be of great assistance.”
Boyle’s district includes parts of 51Թ’s Main Campus (east of Broad Street), as well as several health and professional campuses, including the School of Pharmacy, Kornberg School of Dentistry, 51Թ Hospital (Main, Episcopal and Jeanes) and Fox Chase Cancer Center.
The funding was signed into law as part of the Fiscal Year 2024 Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies Appropriations Act through the Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs.
Housed within the Lewis Katz School of Medicine’s , 51Թ’s PHASeS program provides behavioral health support and services to students in public elementary and middle schools in North Philadelphia.
Nicolle Strand, director of the Center for Health Justice and Bioethics and associate professor at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine, noted the funds will help expand the reach of the PHASeS program.
“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.”
PHASeS trauma specialists have partnered with Mary McLeod Bethune and Kenderton Elementary since 2018 and W.D. Kelley School since 2021. As part of the newly established with the School District of Philadelphia, the program will expand to Tanner G. Duckrey School beginning in fall 2026.
“I’m honored to lead an impactful initiative that is currently transforming the landscape of education in North Philadelphia,” said Mary Beth Hays, director of the PHASeS program and assistant professor at the Center for Health Justice and Bioethics. “This vital program is dedicated to creating trauma-sensitive environments that profoundly enhance the well-being of both staff and students.”
“The PHASeS program reflects the power of collaboration across 51Թ’s schools, bringing together the expertise of the Lewis Katz School of Medicine and the College of Education and Human Development to support trauma-informed learning environments,” said Amy Goldberg, the Marjorie Joy Katz Dean at the Katz School. “We are especially grateful to Congressman Brendan Boyle for securing critical funding that allows this work to grow and continue making a meaningful impact in our community.”
During the news conference, Strand also emphasized the importance of data to help drive the program’s initiatives.
“Our partnership with 51Թ’s College of Education and Human Development allows us to robustly evaluate the program and to learn how much it’s impacting the lives of the kids and the teachers,” she said.
Data collected since 2021 show that PHASeS trauma specialists are a trusted, highly valued presence in its partner schools, helping staff strengthen their ability to regulate emotions, use trauma-sensitive language and promote well-being in themselves and others.
Researchers from the College of Education and Human Development have collected and analyzed hundreds of survey responses from teachers and staff, conducted more than 80 interviews and observed more than 130 hours of programming to assess PHASeS implementation and measure its impact on trauma awareness, educator practice and school climate.
- Seventy-three percent said PHASeS improved socioemotional well-being of students
- Eighty-one percent said PHASeS improved caregiver/parent relations
- Seventy-eight percent said PHASeS improved classroom learning
- Eighty-five percent said PHASeS improved their own well-being
- Eighty-nine percent said PHASeS improved discipline policies and practices
“At its core, the PHASeS program embodies an intensive relationship-based approach to education,” said Hays. “This program focuses on understanding and addressing trauma’s pervasive effects and equipping educators with the necessary tools to foster a supportive and nurturing atmosphere. Together, we can build a foundation for students and school communities that foster not only academic achievement but also emotional resilience.”