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Department of Human Services

Working together with communities to support families and protect children.

Department of Human Services

Notice: The Department of Human Services is working to support Philadelphia’s children and families during COVID-19. View our updated policies, guidance, and resources.

What we do

Philadelphia’s Department of Human Services is the county child welfare and juvenile justice agency and is overseen by the Office of Children and Families. Our mission is to provide and promote safety, permanency, and well-being for children and youth at risk of abuse, neglect, and delinquency. Our main service areas include:

  • Prevention. We work with families to safely care for children in their own home to reduce child abuse and neglect.
  • Child Welfare. We operate Philadelphia’s child abuse hotline, investigate allegations of child abuse and neglect, and help children involved with DHS achieve a permanent home. We manage the private organizations (Community Umbrella Agencies) that provide case management and other support services in 10 geographic regions throughout Philadelphia.
  • Foster and Adoption. We contract with state-licensed agencies who certify homes as placements for children and youth who are not safe in their own homes. The goal of foster care is to reunite children with their families. When this is not possible, as determined by the courts, many resource parents choose to adopt the children who are in their care. Find out how to become a foster parent and how to adopt a child.
  • Juvenile Justice. We operate the county’s juvenile detention facility, manage contracts for court-ordered youth programs, and work to divert youth from the formal justice system through intensive prevention services.

Connect

Address
1515 Arch St.
Philadelphia, PA 19102
Email dhscommunications@phila.gov
Phone: (215) 683-4347 for information
(215) 683-6000 for complaints
Social

Announcements

Philadelphia Parent & Youth Resource Fair: April 27

Looking for free and low-cost summer activities that are safe and adult-supervised for children, teens, and families? Get the scoop when you attend the Philadelphia Parent & Youth Resource Fair. More details coming soon!

April 27, 2024
11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Pennsylvania Convention Center, 1101 Arch St, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA (Entrance at Broad & Race Sts.)

We hire year round!

The Philadelphia Department of Human Services is committed to supporting the placement stability of children and youth in the foster care and the juvenile justice systems. As part of this commitment, DHS regularly releases job announcements on the main phila.gov/jobs webpage to support our hiring efforts. Please either apply for an open position or sign up for job alerts. Please share these announcements with your networks.

You can also review this jobs booklet to learn more about working at DHS.

Class Code Class Title Starting Salary Application Link
5A05 Social Work Services Trainee (General) (Bilingual) $44,467 Apply now.
5A07 Social Work Services Manager 2 (General) (Bilingual) $58,316 Apply now.
5B21 Juvenile Detention Counselor Trainee (General) $47,319 Sign up for job alerts.
5B23 Juvenile Detention Counselor 2 (General) $52,898 Sign up for job alerts.

 

Events

  • Mar
    28
    CUA 3: Event/Giveaway: "Pop-up Resource Table"
    3:00 pm to 4:00 pm
    4300 Block of Frankford Ave, Phila, PA, 19124

    CUA 3: Event/Giveaway: "Pop-up Resource Table"

    March 28, 2024
    3:00 pm to 4:00 pm, 1 hour
    4300 Block of Frankford Ave, Phila, PA, 19124
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    Partnering with a non-profit called "House of W.I.N.INC (Women in Need) to provide resources in the community under the 15th Police District. Free items include clothes, Hygiene supplies and more!     

    Contact: a.adamscua3@elconcilio.net or i.silvacua3@elconcilio.net

    • Mar
      29
      NET CUA 1 & GPCA CUA 9 - WOW Talk Café: Speak Up for Yourself
      12:00 pm to 3:00 pm
      3901 Market St 1st floor, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA

      NET CUA 1 & GPCA CUA 9 - WOW Talk Café: Speak Up for Yourself

      March 29, 2024
      12:00 pm to 3:00 pm, 3 hours
      3901 Market St 1st floor, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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      Speak up for yourself: Learning how to advocate


      Join us for a special event focused on empowering YOU to advocate for yourself! Learn valuable skills to speak up confidently and make a difference. Don't miss out!
    • Mar
      29
      Speak Up For Yourself - CUA 1&9
      12:00 pm to 2:00 pm
      3901 Market St, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA

      Speak Up For Yourself - CUA 1&9

      March 29, 2024
      12:00 pm to 2:00 pm, 2 hours
      3901 Market St, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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      Teen Event - In Person for youth aged 12.5-19 year old

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