Two nonprofits have dropped out of Philly’s child welfare system. The disruption will cost the city $66M.

Two Organizations Decline to Renew Child Welfare Contracts with Philadelphia

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Emphasized:

1. Goal 1: No Poverty
2. Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being
3. Goal 4: Quality Education
4. Goal 5: Gender Equality
5. Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities
6. Goal 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

Introduction

• Two organizations responsible for child welfare casework in Philadelphia have chosen not to renew their contracts with the city.
• This decision is expected to have a significant impact on taxpayers, costing them approximately $66 million, and affecting several hundred families.

The Department of Human Services and Community Umbrella Agencies (CUAs)

• The Department of Human Services (DHS) outsources child welfare casework to nonprofit providers known as Community Umbrella Agencies (CUAs).
• CUAs are responsible for checking on children in foster care and kinship care in 10 different geographic areas of the city.
• This privatized system was established following the tragic death of 14-year-old Danieal Kelly, who died of starvation while under DHS supervision.

Departure of Turning Points for Children and Tabor Community Partners

• Turning Points for Children managed four regions within the CUA network until deciding to leave the program in late 2022.
• Tabor Community Partners, responsible for one region in Northwest Philadelphia, is also transitioning out of the CUA network.

Insurance Costs and Challenges

• Insurance costs for child protective work have been increasing, and lawsuits against government agencies and nonprofit providers are common.
• Tabor agreed to pay $11 million to settle a lawsuit involving an infant who suffered severe brain injuries while under their supervision.
• Turning Points paid $6 million after being accused of improperly allowing three sisters to be returned to their sexually abusive father.

Financial Liability and Indemnification

• DHS Commissioner Kimberly Ali stated that Turning Points left the CUA program because the city refused to indemnify them for their own negligence.
• The city and state have increased support to nonprofits to help with rising insurance premiums, but Turning Points’ request went too far.

Disruption for Families and Transition Process

• The departure of two CUAs has caused disruption for several hundred families involved in the child welfare system.
• The city is not considering abandoning the CUA program and is currently reviewing bids from organizations to replace Tabor.
• The transition process is costly, with DHS planning to spend $66 million over two years to build capacity for new providers.

Call for Change and New Providers

• A coalition of Philadelphia providers is lobbying for changes to the system to provide more financial protection for CUAs.
• Four other nonprofit providers have been selected to replace Turning Points’ role in the network.
• The city is striving to reduce disruption by having new providers hire employees from their predecessors.

Conclusion

• The departure of two CUAs due to financial reasons highlights a significant problem in the child welfare system.
• The city remains committed to the CUA program and acknowledges the progress made since its implementation.
• Efforts are being made to ensure a smooth transition for families and minimize disruption.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 1: No Poverty
• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
• SDG 4: Quality Education
• SDG 5: Gender Equality
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 1.3: Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all, including floors, and by 2030 achieve substantial coverage of the poor and the vulnerable.
• Target 3.2: By 2030, end preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age, with all countries aiming to reduce neonatal mortality to at least as low as 12 per 1,000 live births and under-5 mortality to at least as low as 25 per 1,000 live births.
• Target 4.2: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys have access to quality early childhood development, care, and preprimary education so that they are ready for primary education.
• Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation.
• Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status.
• Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable, and transparent institutions at all levels.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator 1.3.1: Proportion of population covered by social protection floors/systems, by sex, distinguishing children, unemployed persons, older persons, persons with disabilities, pregnant women, newborns, work-injury victims, and the poor and vulnerable.
• Indicator 3.2.1: Under-five mortality rate.
• Indicator 4.2.1: Proportion of children under 5 years of age who are developmentally on track in health, learning, and psychosocial well-being, by sex.
• Indicator 5.2.1: Proportion of ever-partnered women and girls aged 15 years and older subjected to physical, sexual, or psychological violence by a current or former intimate partner in the previous 12 months.
• Indicator 10.2.1: Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by age, sex, and persons with disabilities.
• Indicator 16.6.1: Primary government expenditures as a proportion of original approved budget, by sector (or by budget codes or similar), disaggregated by sex, age, and persons with disabilities.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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