Application

Program Descriptions

The City of Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services (DBHIDS)’s Immigrant and Refugee Wellness Academy (IRWA) is a training program designed to empower and prepare Philadelphia's multilingual multicultural immigrants and refugees with the knowledge, resources, and tools to engage in activities that address mental health and behavioral challenges experienced within the immigrant and refugee community.

Program Targets

Immigrant and refugee multilingual and multicultural leaders, employees and volunteers of community-based and faith-based organizations, behavioral health providers, and college students who are interested in the program. Candidates must meet the following criteria:
  • 18 and older
  • Proficient in English and other languages preferred
  • Ability to commit to the entire ten-week program
Program Goals
  1. Promote education, increase awareness, and reduce the associated behavioral health and intellectual disability stigma among the multilingual and multicultural communities
  2. Support leadership and professional development for immigrant and refugee communities.
  3. Promote access to behavioral health and intellectually disability services for the communities
Training Topics:
  • Immigration and Wellness
  • Trauma Informed Care
  • Opioid Overdose Prevention and Narcan Rescue
  • Crisis Intervention & Suicide Prevention
  • Problem Gambling Awareness and Prevention
  • Mental Health Interpretation
  • Understanding One’s Leadership Skills
  • Mental Health First Aid (MHFA)

Participant Benefits
  • IRWA Certificate of Completion
  • Enhanced leadership, interpretation, and networking skills
  • Increased awareness of behavioral health and intellectual disability services and how to access them
  • Access to other training and employment opportunities
Program Implementation Timelines

The IRWA will run weekly on Wednesdays, from April 15th to June 17th, 2026. It consists of an orientation, eight-week sessions and a graduation ceremony. The IRWA is hybrid, with both in person and virtual sessions. The standard sessions will run from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. There are two special sessions; Mental Health Interpretation (4 hours) and Mental Health First Aid (all-day session).

The sessions will enhance participants’ leadership skills, increase knowledge about behavioral health and intellectual disability challenges, and empower graduates with the tools to access local resources for themselves and their communities. These interactive sessions reinforce collaborative learning through presentations, discussion activities, and meaningful dialogue to build personal and community resilience and wellness.

Please direct questions to Sarorng Sorn at Sarorng.sorn@phila.gov and Kori White at Kori.white@phila.gov

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