Title
Honoring the PHILADELPHIA SOCIETY FOR SERVICES TO CHILDREN on 173 years of service in child abuse and neglect prevention services for vulnerable families.
Body
WHEREAS, Over 60,000 children residing in Philadelphia live with someone other than their biological parent; and
WHEREAS, The financial cost of child abuse and neglect in America is estimated at $94 billion dollars a year; and
WHEREAS, Prevention programs help build a healthy and functioning society, and is a much less expensive long-term investment; and
WHEREAS, As one of the oldest social service agencies in the country, the Philadelphia Society for Services to Children looks to ensure the well-being of children and parents/caregivers by providing responsive services and networks directed towards strengthening families; and
WHEREAS, The Philadelphia Society for Services to Children serves children and families through two main programs, Kids n' Kin and FAST (Families and Schools Together); and
WHEREAS, Kids n' Kin supports relative caregivers caring for their family members' children due to incarceration, substance abuse, death and/or illness, helping them to overcome these challenges and keep children "out of the system" and in a safe, nurturing home; and
WHEREAS, The FAST Program brings together school personnel, human service professionals, and substance abuse professionals with at-risk families at 37 schools throughout Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS, 83% of the high-risk children served over a seven year period through Kids 'N Kin remained out of the child welfare system, and school performance for children in FAST improved by an average of 45% over the last four years; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby honor the Philadelphia Society for Services to Children, building on a legacy of excellence in strengthening families and helping children grow up in safe, stable family environments.
RESOLVED FURTHER, That an E...
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