All children in our community deserve to grow up safe, healthy, and prepared for life. That’s why on the first day of his second term, Mayor Jim Kenney signed an executive order to establish an Office of Children and Families and appointed Cynthia Figueroa to lead the new office as Deputy Mayor for Children and Families.
The Office of Children and Families now oversees several existing City programs and services for children and families, including:
- The City’s Department of Human Services
- PHLpreK, the City’s free, quality pre-K program for three- and four-year-olds
- Community Schools
- Prevention Support Services (Out-of-School Time, Youth Workforce Development, Truancy, Philly Reading Coaches, School Break Meal Collaboration)
The Office of Children and Families is responsible for the newly announced Philadelphia Children and Families Cabinet, which will convene all City offices and departments that serve children. The Cabinet will align City efforts in order to improve outcomes for all Philadelphia children and families, build stronger communities, and support great schools in every neighborhood.
By aligning these programs, the Office of Children and Families will expand on many of the City’s successes during Mayor Kenney’s first term, including improved DHS services under then-Commissioner Figueroa, new investments in out-of-school time programs, the launch of PHLpreK and Community Schools, and the School District’s return to local control.
In the coming months, the Office of Children and Families will launch a new website with information about programs, services, and the Children and Families Cabinet. In the meantime, keep checking phila.gov for updates!
