Following years of advocacy from our partners at Juvenile Law Center’s Youth Advocacy Program, Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney recently established an Office of the Youth Ombusdsperson.
Philadelphia, PA (December 1, 2022) – Yesterday Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney signed an executive order officially creating the Philadelphia Office for the Youth Ombudsperson. Housed under the Office of the Inspector General, the OYO will provide additional oversight over the City of Philadelphia’s child welfare, juvenile justice, and behavioral health systems with respect to youth who are residing in Residential Treatment Facilities (RTFs) with a goal of continuing to improve the safety and quality of services. It will exist under the Office of the Inspector General.