Philadelphia officials report drop in children in placement, highlight pre-K and youth programs

Philadelphia City Council heard an overview from city officials on the Department of Human Services (DHS) and the Mayor’s Office of Education during a budget hearing, with department leaders reporting declines in child placement counts and describing expansions of early-childhood and youth programs.

Vanessa Garrett Harley, chief deputy mayor for social impact and strategic initiatives, told council members the administration has prioritized quality in early childhood programs and services that keep families together. “The Department of Human Services continues to make great strides towards keeping children and families at home and in their own communities,” she said.

Kimberly Ali, commissioner of the Department of Human Services, said the city is seeing the number of children in placement decline. “For the first time ever, the number of children in placement is close to 2,500, down from approximately 3,100 last year and from a high of approximately 6,100 back in 2016,” Ali said, adding that “almost half of the children in placement live with their families.” The administration described diversion programs and prevention services as central to that decline.

Officials also gave details on the city’s PHL Pre-K program and expanded out‑of‑school services. Ali said the city’s high-quality PHL Pre-K maintains 5,250 slots placed at 227 locations with a reported 92% enrollment rate. The administration also reported the launch of a Unified Preschool Search and Enrollment platform designed to allow parents to choose publicly funded pre‑K and to reduce mismatches between available seats and waitlists.

Dr. Deborah Carrera, chief education officer for the Mayor’s Office of Education, and Sean Perkins, director of early childhood (PHL Pre-K), described the extended day/extended year pilot that the mayor’s office and the School District of Philadelphia launched this year. Vanessa Garrett Harley said the program began at 25 schools (20 district‑operated and 5 charter schools) and “added over 7,000 new slots for after school, before school, and vacation enrichment type activities.” Officials said FY26 plans include adding 10 district schools and 5 charter schools.

The administration also described a new youth workforce program. Vanessa Garrett Harley said the Career Connected Learning program enrolled nearly 7,900 youth in its first year and provided stipends tied to work‑based learning experiences; officials said applications for the next cycle would open soon.

Why it matters: The city framed these programs as part of a strategy to reduce foster placements and expand educational and work opportunities for children and youth while improving program quality and access.

What council asked: Council members pressed for details about slots and expansion plans. In response, DHS and education officials emphasized quality improvement over expansion this fiscal year, citing an earlier state increase in per‑slot funding that the city had sought to match.

Ending note: Officials said written testimony had been submitted for the record and that staff were available to provide additional budget and program detail to council offices on request.