With City Council now in recess for the summer, the next fiscal year’s budget passed, and public pools starting to open, summer is now in full swing in Philadelphia!

While the weather is getting warmer and things are changing for the season, the work building a more equitable Philadelphia for every neighborhood continues.

#PhillyMayorThisWeek looks at five moments from the past seven days you might’ve missed. Take a few minutes to get updated!

1. PHLpreK enrollment for the 2017-2019 school year started.

An initiative funded by the Philadelphia Beverage Tax, PHLpreK is Philadelphia’s no-cost quality pre-K program. This week, enrollments for next year started. All children living in Philadelphia who will be 3 or 4 years old on September 1, 2017, are eligible. Call 866-PHL-PREK for more information or to enroll!

2. Mayor Kenney announced the Department of Commerce’s Fair Chance Hiring Initiative.

A program benefiting Philadelphia’s entrepreneurs and commercial leaders, the Fair Chance Hiring Initiative provides businesses reimbursements for hiring returning citizens. Qualifying employees include Philadelphia residents who were released from incarceration within the last five years and work a minimum of 21 hours per week for at least $12.10 per hour. A $5 per hour reimbursement is allotted for each qualified position, up to 40 hours per week with a maximum of 1,000 hours per position annually. Interested businesses should visit the Department of Commerce’s website for more information about participating!

https://www.facebook.com/PhillyMayor/posts/1687884384852507

3. The Mayor announced a new program benefiting Philadelphia Water Department that provides assistance for bills based upon income.

TAP, or the Tiered Assistance Program, is a new initiative that provides assistance for Philadelphia Water Department bills based upon income. TAP will replace the Water Revenue Assistance Program. By working with low-income and customers and those with special hardships on more manageable, affordable bill options, the City anticipates that the cost of the program may be offset by higher overall collections in the long run. “Philly is one of the largest cities in the country and many of our citizens struggle to make ends meet,” Mayor Kenney explained. “Having water service is fundamental.”

https://www.facebook.com/PhiladelphiaCityGovernment/posts/10150906576144959

4. Mayor Kenney accepted the final report from the City’s Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Advisory Group.

This week, the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Advisory Group presented their final report and recommendations to the Mayor. While cases of lead poisoning in Philadelphia have plummeted 75% over the past ten years — from over 1,400 to 341 — last year’s numbers are “still 341 too high” said Health Commissioner Dr. Tom Farley. The report includes recommendations for legislative, policy, and programmatic actions. You can read the report online.

https://www.facebook.com/PhillyMayor/posts/1688702308104048

5. The Mayor signed a pledge to transition Philadelphia toward 100% clean energy.

Following the Trump Administration’s decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement, states and cities have banded together to stand up for science, environmentalism, and the idea that climate change is, in fact, real. Part of that effort includes Philadelphia publishing pages on climate change that were removed from the Environmental Protection Agency’s website this year; another part is Mayor Kenney’s commitment to promoting sustainability and preparing Philadelphia for a hotter, wetter future. This week, the Mayor joined 99 other mayors and pledged to move Philadelphia toward 100% clean energy.

Get updates about the Kenney Administration sent directly to you: Sign up for Mayor Kenney’s email newsletter!