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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

Events

  • Jul
    24
    CUA 7: Brothas and Sistas in the Park/ Man Cave meets Queen Hive
    12:00 pm to 2:00 pm
    2140 N 33rd St, Philadelphia, PA 19132, USA

    CUA 7: Brothas and Sistas in the Park/ Man Cave meets Queen Hive

    July 24, 2025
    12:00 pm to 2:00 pm, 2 hours
    2140 N 33rd St, Philadelphia, PA 19132, USA
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    Join us as Man Cave meets Queen Hive. There will be food and games available.
  • Jul
    24
    NET CUA 1 Event: "The Glow-Up Guide: Sexual Health, Confidence, & Consent"
    5:30 pm to 7:30 pm
    2701 N Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19132, USA

    NET CUA 1 Event: "The Glow-Up Guide: Sexual Health, Confidence, & Consent"

    July 24, 2025
    5:30 pm to 7:30 pm, 2 hours
    2701 N Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19132, USA
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    Write those questions down, come curious, and be prepared to get some new information with you and your parent or guardian. We are going to talk about sexual health, confidence, and consent.

    Ages 12+

    For more information: 

    Ebony Scott - ebony.scott@net-centers.org

  • Jul
    26
    CUA 8 Event: "Jewelry With Me, earring making workshop!"
    11:00 am to 2:00 pm
    Bethanna, 2501 Reed St, Philadelphia, PA 19146, USA

    CUA 8 Event: "Jewelry With Me, earring making workshop!"

    July 26, 2025
    11:00 am to 2:00 pm, 3 hours
    Bethanna, 2501 Reed St, Philadelphia, PA 19146, USA
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    With Bethanna Sponsoring Philadelphia’s own Joyce Mercer. 

    Please RSVP:

Our programs

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