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Articles by Resolve Philly
Lawmakers, Shapiro admin push to end practice of counties taking Social Security money owed to foster kids
Lawmakers are renewing a push to end the practice of Pennsylvania counties diverting Social Security benefits owed to children in foster care into their own budgets, after new federal directives called on states to take action. An investigation published last year by Resolve Philly and Spotlight PA that analyzed four years of data found at least 1,300 children in Pennsylvania have had money taken from them this way, to the tune of at least $15.7 million. State Reps.
Pa. pushes to end practice of counties taking foster kids’ Social Security
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready... Lawmakers are renewing a push to end the practice of Pennsylvania counties diverting Social Security benefits owed to children in foster care into their own budgets after new federal directives called on states to take action. An investigation published last year by Resolve Philly and Spotlight PA that analyzed four years of data found at least 1,300 children in Pennsylvania have had money taken from them this way, to the tune of at least $15.7 million.
Philly City Council votes to hold hearings on DHS after Inquirer series on foster care failings
Philadelphia City Council has unanimously passed a resolution to hold hearings about the Department of Human Services in the wake of The Inquirer’s series on failings of the foster care system. Those articles, reported in collaboration with Resolve Philly, traced a wave of lawsuits against the city’s network of privately contracted foster agencies back to DHS itself.
How Philly can look to New Jersey to fix its child welfare system
The problems bedeviling Philadelphia’s child welfare system — too many kids in foster care, worker vacancies, and lawsuits stemming from child injuries and deaths — have all steadily waned in New Jersey in the last two decades. So what can Philly learn from the Garden State? In the 1990s, New Jersey’s child welfare system was among the worst in the nation, with too few caseworkers for the number of kids in need.
Foster care agencies in Pa. took millions owed to kids in their care, often keeping them in the dark
Counties across Pennsylvania are taking millions of dollars in Social Security benefits owed to kids in foster care, a practice some child advocates equate to stealing. These local agencies contend the practice is allowed under law and needed to offset the cost of care. But it’s often done without a child’s knowledge and how some counties use the money is unclear. “This money belongs to these kids,” said state Rep.
Foster care agencies in Pa. took millions owed to kids in their care, often keeping them in the dark
Spotlight PA is an independent, nonpartisan, and nonprofit newsroom producing investigative and public-service journalism that holds power to account and drives positive change in Pennsylvania. Sign up for our free newsletters. Counties across Pennsylvania are taking millions of dollars in Social Security benefits owed to kids in foster care, a practice some child advocates equate to stealing. These local agencies contend the practice is allowed under law and needed to offset the cost of care.
Foster Care Agencies in Pa. Took Millions Owed to Kids in Their Care, Often Keeping Them in the Dark
Spotlight PA is an independent, nonpartisan and nonprofit newsroom producing investigative and public-service journalism that holds power to account and drives positive change in Pennsylvania. Sign up for our free newsletters. Counties across Pennsylvania are taking millions of dollars in Social Security benefits owed to kids in foster care, a practice some child advocates equate to stealing. These local agencies contend the practice is allowed under law and needed to offset the cost of care.
Julie Christie and Steve Volk | Resolve Philly for Spotlight PA
New Trash Hauling Service Begins for 5 Centre County Townships. Here’s What to Know
Focusing on ‘joy’ in Philly schools will reduce racial discipline disparities, group says – Metro Philadelphia
This article was first published in Chalkbeat. A Philadelphia group wants schools to focus more on being places of joy as a way to overhaul the culture in district schools, and it’s relying on parents and community voices for help.
Focusing on ‘joy’ in Philly schools will reduce racial discipline
A Philadelphia group wants schools to focus more on being places of joy as a way to overhaul the culture in district schools, and it’s relying on parents and community voices for help. Lift Every Voice, the organization behind this year’s Joy Campaign, is backing the creation of a “joy-based budget” for schools to bolster access to recess, the arts, counselors, and the district’s program to bolster student mental health known as the Support Team for Educational Partnership.
Focusing on ‘joy’ in Philly schools will reduce racial discipline disparities, group says Original
by Special to the Capital-Star, Pennsylvania Capital-Star August 10, 2024 By Lucy Tobier, Resolve Philly, Chalkbeat A Philadelphia group wants schools to focus more on being places of joy as a way to overhaul the culture in district schools, and it’s relying on parents and community voices for help.
Federal education department promises a fully functional FAFSA in December
Sign up for our free monthly newsletter Beyond High School to get the latest news about college and career paths for Colorado’s high school grads. For the second year in a row, students and families won’t have access to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid on Oct. 1, when it’s traditionally released, but federal officials have promised a fully functional form on or before the start of December.
NYC school dress codes: What families need to know for the 2024-25 school year
Sign up for Chalkbeat New York’s free daily newsletter to keep up with NYC’s public schools. A New York City Council resolution passed last month stirred some confusion over whether the city’s public schools would soon adopt a universal dress code policy. Despite some headlines after the resolution’s passage, the resolution cannot mandate action, and the city’s Education Department has so far given no indication it will implement such a policy during the next school year.
Philadelphia schools need ‘joy-based’ budget for students, group says
A Philadelphia group wants schools to focus more on being places of joy as a way to overhaul the culture in district schools, and it’s relying on parents and community voices for help. Lift Every Voice, the organization behind this year’s Joy Campaign, is backing the creation of a “joy-based budget” for schools to bolster access to recess, the arts, counselors, and the district’s program to bolster student mental health known as the Support Team for Educational Partnership.
‘Fair chance’ hiring helps formerly incarcerated people find work
Header photo: Temple University's first annual Reentry Job Fair and Resource Village provided services to formerly incarcerated people on Friday, April 19, 2024. Solmaira Valerio. On a recent afternoon in April, more than 50 employers gathered at Temple University with one mission: to meet and hire qualified applicants for open positions at their companies. Within a few hours, discount clothing store Forman Mills hired 50 people.
‘Fair chance’ hiring helps formerly incarcerated people find work
On a recent afternoon in April, more than 50 employers gathered at Temple University with one mission: to meet and hire qualified applicants for open positions at their companies. Within a few hours, discount clothing store Forman Mills hired 50 people. Unlike other jobs fairs, though, all the applicants had one thing in common: They’d previously been incarcerated. “You have so many choices of who you want to work for here,” Tahbril Cleveland said while attending the fair.
Philly still keeps the benefits of foster care youths despite a 2022 law banning the practice
A year ago, after a Resolve Philly/Inquirer investigation revealed that the city Department of Human Services routinely took millions of dollars belonging to youths in foster care, City Council passed a law banning the practice. But despite the law, DHS acknowledges that it’s still keeping the money — about $1.3 million in Social Security benefits for 380 foster kids in a typical year, according to the investigation — and plowing it back into the city’s general fund.
Resolve Philly Co-Founders Win Prestigious ONA 2023 Impact Award
Resolve Philly co-founders, Jean Friedman-Rudovsky and Cassie Haynes were recently recognized by the Online News Association with the 2023 Impact Award for their trailblazing work building Resolve Philly, a local newsroom designed for community impact. Jean and Cassie accepted the award at the 2023 Online Journalism Awards; below is a redacted version of their acceptance speech.
Water Rate Board Special Meeting
In November 2012, Philadelphia voted to amend the Home Rule Charter to allow City Council to establish an independent body: Philadelphia Water, Sewer and Storm Water Rate Board. The Board was formed to replace the Water Department as the entity responsible for setting water, wastewater, and storm water rates. This Rate Ordinance became effective January 20, 2014. No documents available
Philadelphia’s child welfare system faces age-old crisis of staff shortages – Metro Philadelphia
Usually, a stranger called Lexi Andino on her cellphone — “They would just tell me I’m getting a new caseworker.” Andino, now 25, received that call throughout her 11 years in foster care. “I would guess it was 15 or 20 caseworkers I had.
Understaffing continues to plague Philadelphia DHS – Metro Philadelphia
The Department of Human Services is understaffed and the primary culprit is low starting salary and overwork, says the union representing Philadelphia’s child protective service employees. “They’ve got our workers doing too much,” says David Wilson, President of AFSCME Local 2187.
Crushing caseloads and low wages drive out foster care workers, but children pay the price
Briana Royal became a case manager at Turning Points for Children two years ago with “a superhero complex,” she said. “You’re going to change the world.” Royal, now 28, had hoped to offset the low $44,000 salary with the joy of helping children and families blossom. Her job placed her near the front lines of the city foster care system.
What drives Philly Poll workers to show up year after year?
Hint: It’s not the money. By: Lydia McFarlane | Resolve Philly As the midterm elections approach and people get ready to cast their votes, most voters don’t know all the work done behind the scenes before polling places open. Preparation for Election Day starts months earlier, with training, elections, meetings, and more. On Election Day, poll workers this year will trade up to 15 hours of their day for between $210 and $255 and a lot of hard work.
What drives Philly Poll workers to show up year after year?
Hint: It's not the money. By: Lydia McFarlane As the midterm elections approach and people get ready to cast their votes, most voters don't know all the work done behind the scenes before polling places open. Preparation for Election Day starts months earlier, with training, elections, meetings, and more. On Election Day, poll workers this year will trade up to 15 hours of their day for between $210 and $255 and a lot of hard work.
How Resolve Philly measures impact at a community level
How Resolve Philly measures impact at a community level Share | By Cassie Haynes, Resolve Philly May 26, 2022 “The best way to understand how our work affects people’s lives is to ask them.” Who We Are Resolve Philly is challenging our industry to be more equitable, collaborative, and based in community voices and solutions.
Bill would bar Philly from keeping Social Security payments meant for foster children
City Councilmember Helen Gym plans to introduce legislation this week in response to a December Inquirer report that found the city has been taking millions of dollars in Social Security benefits belonging to children in foster care and plowing them back into the city’s general fund. Gym’s legislation would end the practice, requiring the city to save the money for the youths themselves. “I was deeply upset reading the story,” said Gym.
Using texting diaries to discern the information needs of Philly residents
How do you listen to an entire city? It's a question I have mentally pinned-a big-swing aspiration to making journalism that's truly responsive to the needs of citizens. Picking that question apart reveals layers of daunting logistical and technical challenges: How do you scale listening - typically an intimate, one-to-one act - to thousands, or even millions? How do you reach people you're not already connected to? Even if you could, how would you make sense of what they were saying?
Philly took $5 million in foster children’s Social Security payments without telling them
By: Steve Volk and Julie Christie | Resolve Philly Photo Credit: Tyger Williams | Philadelphia Inquirer Vaughn Jackson wanted his new foster sons to feel welcome, so he marked their first weekend together by loading them into his car and driving them to a family party at his mother’s house. “I always enjoyed kids,” he said of his decision to take the boys in, “and felt like I had something to give.
Keeping it Together
Resolve Philly’s Co-Executive Directors, Jean Friedman-Rudovsky (left) and Cassie Haynes speak at a June 2021 event hosted by Permit Capital Advisors. As nonprofit leaders, we’re taught to share our wins widely come December and end the year on a high note. Executive directors often put together public-facing summaries rightfully highlighting progress, professional wins, and the milestones achieved.
Philly took $5 million in foster children’s Social Security payments without telling them
Vaughn Jackson wanted his new foster sons to feel welcome, so he marked their first weekend together by loading them into his car and driving them to a family party at his mother’s house. “I always enjoyed kids,” he said of his decision to take the boys in, “and felt like I had something to give.
Can student journalists and local media collaborations work together? Here’s what we learned
One of the photos produced for the Temple University collaborative reporting project. Photo by COLLEEN CLAGGETT By Amelia Winger, Madison Karas and Eugene Sonn Collaborative reporting doesn’t always feel instinctive. Especially in a university environment where the student media organizations are isolated in different buildings across campus with little history of working together.
How Resolve Philly’s Equally Informed bridges the city’s digital divide
Strengthening engagement strategies means learning from trial and error. Lily Medosch, Gabriela Rivera, Kristine Villanueva Information access is always important. But during a pandemic, it becomes a matter of life and death. In March 2020, as the coronavirus made its way to Philadelphia, our team at Resolve Philly knew that this moment in time would bring about change, uncertainty, and rapidly evolving public health guidance.
Did you miss a chance to say goodbye because of COVID?
By Eugene Sonn, Resolve Philly February 19, 2021 Month after month, we hear report after report about how one of the more painful parts of losing a loved one to COVID is not having the chance to truly say goodbye. Sometimes the illness progresses too rapidly to even allow for a remote farewell. In other cases, family and friends of those who’ve fallen ill are able to Facetime, Zoom, or talk over the phone to let them know how much they are loved and how much they will be missed.
Op-ed: Did you miss a chance to say goodbye because of COVID?
Sign up for our Daily Email newsletter to stay up-to-date on the latest local news throughout Philadelphia. By Eugene Sonn, Resolve Philly Month after month, we hear report after report about how one of the more painful parts of losing a loved one to COVID is not having the chance to truly say goodbye. Sometimes the illness progresses too rapidly to even allow for a remote farewell.
Philadelphia area dashboard: How are local hospitals managing COVID-19 ICU patients?
Facebook Twitter Email Below you can see how hospitals in the Philadelphia area are coping with COVID-19, based on data released by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The data is updated every Monday and reflects the previous week’s information. The data contains some limitations, including the fact that U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Defense Health Agency, and Indian Health Services hospitals are not included in this analysis.
Delco bars serve customers during Eagles game despite PA's indoor dining ban
At least four taverns in the Philly suburbs had customers enjoying drinks inside on Sunday, a reporter found. Ximena Conde / WHYY 💌 Love Philly? Sign up for the free Billy Penn email newsletter to get everything you need to know about Philadelphia, every day. At least four Delaware County bars were serving patrons Sunday afternoon, a day after Pennsylvania’s new indoor dining ban went into effect.
A diorama of Four Seasons Total Landscaping will sell for $15,000 in Berlin
Artist Tracey Snelling, who has never been to Philadelphia, specializes in multimedia sculpture. Courtesy Tracey Snelling 💌 Love Philly? Sign up for the free Billy Penn email newsletter to get everything you need to know about Philadelphia, every day.
As shutdown deadline looms, 175 residents in Philly's COVID prevention sites still need permanent housing
Anyone who hasn’t found a place to live after Dec. 15 will be offered temporary shelter, say officials, who’ve successfully placed 50 people so far. Courtesy Felix Pérez Peña; Holiday Inn Center City: Kimberly Paynter / WHYY 💌 Love Philly? Sign up for the free Billy Penn email newsletter to get everything you need to know about Philadelphia, every day. Felix Pérez Peña is excited to be moving into a place he’ll be able to call home.
Translation of live-saving content requires much more than word-swaps
Meet a new resource for bringing consistency and clarity to English-to-Spanish news translations By Gabriela A. Rivera Editorial Associate At the end of February, I found myself, like many others, relying on mainstream news outlets to stay informed and up to date with the constant influx of information pertaining to COVID-19.
PAFA board backs CEO in Black Lives Matter controversy
💌 Love Philly? Sign up for the free Billy Penn email newsletter to get everything you need to know about Philadelphia, every day. The Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts is bucking a call from faculty, staff and alumni to fire its CEO and president. The demand came after the nation’s oldest arts school and museum reminded employees not to affiliate it with ongoing protests around institutional racism and police department funding, as first reported by Billy Penn.
Is it linguistically possible to report objectively on protests against police brutality?
By Aubrey Nagle Photo by Spenser on Unsplash Traditionally, journalists are meant to hold the idol of objectivity on the highest of pedestals. To be objective is to be unquestionable, unimpeachable. To be objective is to be right. To be subjective is to be wrong. To be subjective is falling for spin, being an advocate, taken for a ride. To be subjective is to be a fool.
Introducing Replicate, Resolve Philly’s Documentation Diary
Yup, we’re bloggin’. Our beloved, dearly missed office. Look at all those people, elbow to elbow! (Photo by André Natta) The Resolve Philly team is full of sharers. (See: our Zoom show-and-tells featuring paintings of boiled eggs, photos of ourselves as teens, rare bobblehead dolls and crows legs.) Sharing, of course, is part of collaboration, which is at the heart of everything we do, from Broke in Philly to Reframe to our COVID-19 information campaign.
Collaborative Case Study III: Resolve Philly
Four years into their partnership, news organizations in Philadelphia quickly pivoted to help each other cover the coronavirus, which included translating more than 70 stories into Spanish. A workshop in pre-pandemic times at Resolve Philly’s offices. (Photo courtesy André Natta) (This is the third post examining how solutions-focused news collaboratives are meeting the challenge of the coronavirus coverage. In this installment: a look at Resolve Philly.
In the midst of crisis, the opportunity for journalism to engage differently
Purpose 56 seconds ago A recent award of $1M will enable Resolve Philly to create a crisis response plan that prioritizes getting information out to communities most at risk of COVID-19's consequences, say Jean Friedman-Rudovsky and Cassie Haynes.
Philly police radio dispatchers fear coronavirus outbreak as they field 911 calls with 'makeshift masks'
PPD Commissioner Outlaw acknowledged conditions are “not ideal.” Zoom Screenshot Apr. 08, 2020, 12:55 p.m. As Philadelphia police officers try to practice social distancing on the streets, the civilian staffers fielding 911 calls are working in cramped conditions with limited protective gear. On Wednesday, Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw addressed complaints that have swirled among more than 240 police radio dispatchers about hazardous conditions at the department’s headquarters.
10 best episodes from the news podcast Philadelphians should be listening to
In 2019, the news cycle is relentless. Trying to keep up with the churn can feel hopeless if not depressing — with the added twist of not having enough time to really process what’s actually going on. Enter The Why, which dives deep on a single topic each day. The podcast, which is produced at Billy Penn parent organization WHYY, celebrated its first birthday with bagels last month. Now we’re celebrating by listening back through the archives.
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