The most acute shortages are in the larger sizes, and there is a need for socks, underwear, warm winter coats and boys’ pants, said Michal Smith, executive director of the organization’s Philadelphia branch, which collects, sorts and distributes donated clothing. From: Metro Philly (Read more.)
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.)
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.)
Eighteen to 24-year-olds often “couch surf” if they can, and generally avoid agency services. | From: Billy Penn (Read more.)
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.)
“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.)
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.)
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.)
Child welfare advocates say the cap won’t address the underlying issue: longstanding staffing shortages. | From: Billy Penn (Read more.)
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.)
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