Latest
Understaffing continues to plague Philadelphia DHS
DHS notified hotline workers that they would be responsible not only for taking calls, but also conducting some investigations. (Read more.)
Our Kids
Latest
Crushing caseloads and low wages drive out foster care workers, but children pay the price
The trade organization for the industry, Pennsylvania Council of Children, Youth & Family Services (PCCYFS), was so concerned this summer about high caseloads that it warned Philadelphia DHS Commissioner Kimberly Ali that the problem would “create significant risk and potentially dangerous circumstances for the children and families we serve.” From: The Inquirer (Read more.)
Community and Family
Philly’s foster kids don’t need to sleep in DHS conference rooms
In 2016, Philadelphia closed its only juvenile psychiatric residential treatment facility — Wordsworth — after a 17-year-old died in a fight with staff. The city opened another in 2020, but that facility soon lost its license due to “multiple child right violations,” according to the state. Now, the city is asking providers to bid for a contract to create another facility. | From: The Inquirer (Read more.)
Community and Family
Philadelphia majorly undercounts homeless youth, advocates warn
Eighteen to 24-year-olds often “couch surf” if they can, and generally avoid agency services. | From: Billy Penn (Read more.)
Community and Family
For At-Risk Youth in Philadelphia, ‘Rapid Rehousing’ Is Anything But
The long waits, though, are just one of the problems the Philly Homes 4 Youth coalition is targeting in a bid to make rapid rehousing live up to its name, seeking stability for the city’s young people at an age when most of their peers can take such security for granted. | From: Next City (Read more.)
Community and Family
Foster care reform: Calls in Philadelphia, nationwide to change child welfare
“The field is ready, hungry for this type of change,” said the leader of the Child Welfare League of America. | From: Billy Penn (Read more.)
Community and Family
Committee grills head of Philly’s child welfare system
A Philadelphia City Council committee questioned the head of the city’s child welfare system Friday, over concerns about excessive family separations and mismanaged cases of abuse. | From: WHYY (Read more.)
Community and Family
Philadelphia child welfare system rampant with abuse, new report says
After a detailed investigation of the city’s child welfare system, a City Council committee issued an urgent call for wholesale reforms. | From: Billy Penn (Read more.)
Community and Family
Pa. lawmakers push for caps on child welfare lawsuits
Child welfare advocates say the cap won’t address the underlying issue: longstanding staffing shortages. | From: Billy Penn (Read more.)
Latest
Bill would bar Philly from keeping Social Security payments meant for foster children
The legislation would end a legal but controversial practice of transferring the money into the city’s $5 billion general fund. | From: The Inquirer (Read more.)