Candace Putter, MSS, LCSW

Candace Putter has spent her career working to improve the lives of troubled teens.  She currently serves as the manager of the Philadelphia Reintegration Initiative, on behalf of the Philadelphia Departments of Human Services and Probation.  The initiative has transformed the way delinquent youth are transitioned back into the community after a juvenile delinquency placement, with a particular focus on improving placement and aftercare services for youth at the six residential placement sites in Pennsylvania with the largest population of Philadelphia youth.  Through this initiative, Putter has developed strong relationships with the probation departments in Philadelphia and Allegheny Counties, the Philadelphia School District, the Philadelphia Youth Network and other youth-serving organizations.   

Prior to this initiative, Candace worked as a social worker and administrator at St. Gabriel's Hall, a facility for delinquent boys and one of the nine residential facilities that will be the subject of the project.  Candace reports that it was during her period at St. Gabriel's Hall that she became convinced that delinquent youth would continue to fail in disastrous numbers without significant systemic change.

Her work in Philadelphia is chronicled in the most recent edition of Pennsylvania Progress.  "Preparing Youth for Productive Futures"  details the ways in which Philadelphia and other counties in the state are experimenting with new methods to ensure that delinquent youth are prepared to reconnect with their communities following out-of-home placement.