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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

  • Aug
    18
    NET CUA 1 Parent Café - "Thrive & Bloom"
    1:30 pm to 3:30 pm
    2701 N Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19132, USA

    NET CUA 1 Parent Café - "Thrive & Bloom"

    August 18, 2025
    1:30 pm to 3:30 pm, 2 hours
    2701 N Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19132, USA
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    Join us at our Parent Café for a vibrant day of connection and care as we celebrate the power of community and the importance of concrete supports in times of need!

    For more information: Kelly Martinez - kelly.martinez@net-centers.org

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

  • Aug
    20
    CUA 7: Caring Around The Clock
    1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
    2808 W Lehigh Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19132, USA

    CUA 7: Caring Around The Clock

    August 20, 2025
    1:00 pm to 3:00 pm, 2 hours
    2808 W Lehigh Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19132, USA
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    Join us for engaging discussions as we navigate the journey of parenthood with confidence and success focusing on resilience and social connections.
  • Aug
    20
    CUA 8 & CUA 4 Virtual Parent Café: Welcome Back! Headed back to school.
    2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
    Virtual via Zoom

    CUA 8 & CUA 4 Virtual Parent Café: Welcome Back! Headed back to school.

    August 20, 2025
    2:00 pm to 4:00 pm, 2 hours
    Virtual via Zoom
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    Protective Factors: Concrete Supports and Social & Emotional Competence of Children

    For more information, please contact:

    Khadija H. Bey
    267-290-3800
    khudgins-bey@bethanna.org

    Theodora Gladden
    267-524-2444
    tgladden@bethanna.org

Our programs

Resources


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