Trained health educators, community health workers, case managers, and patient navigators work directly with individuals and families in their own communities.
Focused on health equity and culturally responsive services delivered by diverse staff.
We fulfill our mission through a unique combination of work that targets individuals and families, as well as the environment in which we live, work, and learn. Our goals are to reduce risk for injury and prevent disease, to help those living with chronic conditions successfully manage their health and to promote wellness.
Trained health educators, community health workers, case managers, and patient navigators work directly with individuals and families in their own communities.
In-person and virtual training, technical assistance, curriculum development, academic-community partnerships, and other services can help to strengthen organizations.
Support with development and implementation of policies and practices can enable healthy behaviors.
Focuses on improving the quality of life of individuals and communities.
Read moreFocuses on diabetes prevention and chronic disease prevention.
Read moreFocuses on youth advocacy for smoking cessation, anti-gun violence, and opioid-use prevention.
Read moreFocusing on tobacco cessation and use prevention.
Read moreFocuses on providing community and family-based support services.
Read moreThe SEPA Tobacco Control Project (SEPA TCP) is a comprehensive tobacco prevention and control program serving Berks, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Lancaster, Montgomery, and Schuylkill counties. The program aims to reduce the burden of tobacco control through; providing tobacco dependence treatment including free nicotine replacement therapy, implementing tobacco and smoke-free policies, educating the community about the benefits of a tobacco and nicotine free lifestyle, preventing the sale of nicotine products to individuals under 21, training a generation of youth advocates and working to reduce inequalities of the impact of nicotine use in our communities.
Tobacco Compliance Checks aim to prevent a lifelong addiction to nicotine by reducing or preventing access to nicotine products (cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos, smokeless tobacco, vapes, and e-cigarettes) among individuals under 21, Health Promotion Council conducts Tobacco Merchant Compliance Checks across the 7 counties of SEPA and Philadelphia. Compliance checks are unannounced visits to retailers in which a young person and adult ensure they merchant does not sell to individuals under 21 and follow up with citations to merchants not in compliance.
To anonymously report an illegal sale of a tobacco product to a person under age 21, click here to complete the online form, text the word “sales” to 1-888-99-SMOKE, or call and leave a message.
PA Tobacco Merchant Education Initiative: It is the initiative’s goal to education, both tobacco merchants and the general public, on the tobacco sales laws. We aim to reduce the sale of tobacco products to people under 21 and prevent their exposure to nicotine.
Smoking Treatment Accreditation & Recognition (STAR) is a tobacco dependence treatment accreditation program funded through a grant by the PA Department of Health and managed by Health Promotion Council, in partnership with the University of Pennsylvania. STAR’s mission is to facilitate the integration of tobacco dependence treatment into existing healthcare workflow. Our vision is to standardize best practices across PA healthcare systems.
Health Referral Network is designed to simplify the process of finding and enrolling in a lifestyle change program. If you or someone you know would benefit from participating in a lifestyle change program, there is no need to take on the task of finding a program. Contact us directly, and we can assist in connecting you with a program provider within our network based on your personal preferences and schedule.
If you or your organization is interested in receiving training or consulting services, please contact our team of health promotion professionals to help you develop, implement, and evaluate health promotion offerings.
Umbrella Hub Organization provides a financially sustainable system for billing and receiving claims from Centers for Medicaid and Medicare, Managed Care Organizations, and other payers on behalf of community based organizations affiliates delivering National Diabetes Prevention Program Lifestyle Change Program.
Increasing Rural Access to National DPP - HPC works with the National Association of Chronic Disease Directors (NACDD) to increase access to and utilization of National DPP in rural areas through funding from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). HPC supports delivery of National DPP in rural counties through recruitment, training of lifestyle coaches, and technical support to increase National DPP providers.
TCAP partnered with PHMC's Research and Evaluation Group to survey Philadelphians eligible for National Diabetes Prevention Program to learn what motivates people to enroll and remain in the program. Click here to read the report.
Pennsylvania Diabetes Prevention Action Plan - In August 2016, HPC, in partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Health and NACDD, convened key stakeholders in Hershey, PA to develop a statewide action plan to increase coverage, referrals, availability, and awareness of diabetes prevention programs at the Pennsylvania Diabetes Prevention Statewide Engagement Meeting.
HPC leverages its partnerships to improve communication between clinicians and community-based organizations that host DSMES and National DPP through the Health Referral Network.
The Advocacy Institute (AI) is a program that empowers Philadelphia youth to make sustainable community changes through policy, community, and media advocacy. Participants gain knowledge and opportunities to network and build their leadership skills.
The twelve-week program culminates in participants implementing an action project to address an issue that affects their specific community. Upon successfully completing the program, graduates are inducted into the AI Alumni Network, where they are given opportunities to expand their action plan and reinvest their experience in future cohorts and ongoing campaigns.
Youth Programming
#RealTalkTobacco (#RTT) is a youth engagement and advocacy program of the Advocacy Institute focusing on youth tobacco prevention. #RTT is designed to address issues that impact our health and social justice. Participants have an opportunity to learn about how tobacco impacts their community, including the health impacts of tobacco use, the impact of advertisements, and how tobacco companies have historically and presently target youth, women, LGBTQ+, low-income, and communities of color. Specifically in Philadelphia, 90% of schools are within 1,000 feet of a store that sells tobacco products (Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, 2020). This is more common in low-income neighborhoods than higher-income areas. The black community has also been heavily saturated with Menthol (mint flavored) tobacco brand advertisements. Youth in #RTT take a stand against big tobacco companies and have their voices heard on issues that impact them. Highlights of the program include meeting others from all over Philadelphia, a Community Mapping trip, and an annual outing to Harrisburg to meet with legislators.
Most recently, #RTT advocates were able to advocate for limiting e-cigarette flavors in Philadelphia. As a result, a local bill was passed by City Council that could protect youth all over the city by preventing stores from selling flavored and high-nicotine vaping products. Our #RTT Youth Leaders continue to lead the way for youth-driven tobacco prevention and policy advocacy here in Philadelphia.
This program is open to high school age-youth throughout Philadelphia. New and experienced advocates are welcome! #RealTalkTobacco is currently offering virtual cohort options to keep staff and youth safe during COVID-19.
#RTT members have had the opportunity to travel to Harrisburg to meet with legislators, testify at City Hall, advocate in Washington, D.C. against vaping companies, complete radio interviews, and participate in virtual advocacy.
The Alumni Network
Upon successfully completing the AI program, participants are inducted into the AI Alumni Network, an extension of all cohorts, where they are given opportunities to expand their action plan project and reinvest their experience with advocacy and public health in future cohorts and ongoing campaigns. Participants also get the opportunity to plan and attend events, meetings, and trips as part of the Alumni Network.
Past programs include:
Partners
The Advocacy Institute is proud to partner with the Philadelphia Department of Public Health (PDPH), the Philadelphia Public School District, local legislators, and local community-based organizations.