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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
Phone: (215) 683-4347 for information
(215) 683-6000 for complaints
Social

Events

  • Oct
    14
    CUA 8 Parent Café: Stay in the race! Life-ing is a marathon.
    4:00 pm to 6:00 pm
    South Philly High School – 2101 S. Broad St. Phila. PA 19148 Room 222

    CUA 8 Parent Café: Stay in the race! Life-ing is a marathon.

    October 14, 2025
    4:00 pm to 6:00 pm, 2 hours
    South Philly High School – 2101 S. Broad St. Phila. PA 19148 Room 222
    map
    Discussions will focus on Resilience & Social Connections protective factors.

    For more information and to register, please contact:

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

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

  • Oct
    22
    CUA 8 Parent Café: Let’s get re-started! Everyday can be new beginning.
    4:30 pm to 6:30 pm
    Benjamin Franklin High School, 550 N Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19130, USA

    CUA 8 Parent Café: Let’s get re-started! Everyday can be new beginning.

    October 22, 2025
    4:30 pm to 6:30 pm, 2 hours
    Benjamin Franklin High School, 550 N Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19130, USA
    map
    The discussions will focus on these protective factors: Resilience & Knowledge of Parenting & Child Development.

    For more information and to register, please contact:

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

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

  • Oct
    28
    CUA 8: Virtual Foster Care & Adoption
    2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
    Virtual via Zoom

    CUA 8: Virtual Foster Care & Adoption

    October 28, 2025
    2:00 pm to 4:00 pm, 2 hours
    Virtual via Zoom
    map

    Must register to receive virtual link:

    dwright@bethanna.org
    267-294-0538

    bweaver@bethanna.org
    215-539-7410

Press Releases

Our programs

Resources

Pennsylvania child abuse clearances

Apply for PA Child Abuse History Clearance online.
Resources for parents

Explore a collection of guides, flyers, and other resources for parents who have children in the foster system.
Resources for foster parents

Explore a collection of guides, tip sheets, and other resources for foster parents.

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