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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

  • Dec
    10
    APM CUA 2 : Holiday Food Bank Giveaway" SF EVENT
    9:00 am to 11:00 am
    1116 E Luzerne St, Philadelphia, PA 19124, USA

    APM CUA 2 : Holiday Food Bank Giveaway" SF EVENT

    December 10, 2024
    9:00 am to 11:00 am, 2 hours
    1116 E Luzerne St, Philadelphia, PA 19124, USA
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    A community resource event that will focus in Concrete support by giving away perishables and fresh veggies and fruits to families in need.  For more information: amarilis.rodriguez@apmphila.org
  • Dec
    10
    CUA 8: Parent Café: "Let’s Taco Bout It!"
    12:00 pm to 2:00 pm
    Achieving Reunification Center, 1211 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA

    CUA 8: Parent Café: "Let’s Taco Bout It!"

    December 10, 2024
    12:00 pm to 2:00 pm, 2 hours
    Achieving Reunification Center, 1211 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
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    Making positive connections and sharing experiences.

    Register:
    khudgins-bey@bethanna.org
    267-290-3800 or tgladden@bethanna.org  
    267-524-2444
  • Dec
    10
    CUA 3 Concilio: Information Session
    4:00 pm to 5:00 pm
    Virtual via Zoom

    CUA 3 Concilio: Information Session

    December 10, 2024
    4:00 pm to 5:00 pm, 1 hour
    Virtual via Zoom
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    Learn about bringing the Cafe' model to your school, church, business, or treatment center.

    Zoom ID: 837 9684 5781

    For more information contact:
    Kendra Johnson: K.JohnsonCUA3@elconcilio.net
    Amarilis Rodriguez: amarilis.rodriguez@apmphila.org
    Lizaida Medina: lizaida.medina@apmphila.org

Our programs

Resources


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