Earlier today, the Philadelphia Department of Human Services (DHS) announced the end of child support collection for youth in detention and delinquent placement, which was to be the subject of today’s Joint Hearing of the Philadelphia City Council Committees on Legislative Oversight and Public Safety.
Councilman Kenyatta Johnson (2nd District), who had called for the hearing, released the following statement in response to this change:
“I’m smiling today because Philadelphia has taken a crucial step forward in juvenile justice reform. Our youth must have a full opportunity at redemption when they return home from detention, and suing their parents for the costs of confinement undermined that goal. Credit is due to Philadelphia’s outstanding juvenile advocacy community — including Kevin Bethel at Drexel University’s Juvenile Justice Research and Reform Lab, Temple University’s Beasley School of Law’s Justice Lab, the Youth Sentencing and Reentry Project, and the Juvenile Law Center — for pressing this issue, and to city and state authorities for doing the right thing when called upon to do so.”
Philadelphia DHS Commissioner Cynthia Figueroa also submitted updated testimony to the Joint Committee Chairs to reflect this change.
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Councilman Kenyatta Johnson, a former Pennsylvania State Representative, represents the 2nd Council District which includes parts of Center City, South Philadelphia, and Southwest Philadelphia. More information at phlcouncil.com/KenyattaJohnson
