Resolution 180311

..Title Recognizing and honoring the Philadelphia Children's Alliance and the Department of Human Services for their partnership and commitment to bring healing and justice to victims of child sexual abuse in Philadelphia and declaring April 2018 to be Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month in the City of Philadelphia. ..Body WHEREAS, For over the past 28 years, the Philadelphia Children's Alliance and the Department of Human Services has advocated for a team-based approach, built cooperative relationships, introduced efficiencies into the system to provide rapid response, and effectively changed how abused children are served and cared for in Philadelphia; and WHEREAS, The Philadelphia Children's Alliance became a full member of the National Children's Alliance (NCA) in 1992 and was accredited by the NCA in 2001. Today, Philadelphia Children's Alliance not only meets all National Children's Alliance standards, but is a national best standards model for peer agencies nationwide; and WHEREAS, In 2013 the Philadelphia Children's Alliance, the Department of Human Services, Police Special Victims Unit, the District Attorney's Office, and medical providers co-located in one facility within the Seventh Councilmanic District to create a more effective and caring response to children who have been sexually abused. All are dedicated to providing justice and healing for sexually abused children, working to protect victims, ending the cycle of abuse, protecting children who have experienced minor sex trafficking, and improving the quality of abuse investigations. With the addition of SEPTA's newest Route 53, this facility not only is more accessible, but it also allows for more stream lined investigations and a less traumatic experience for children; and WHEREAS, In 2017 Philadelphia Children's Alliance and co-located partners conducted 1,916 forensic interviews, with 2,177 children and caregivers receiving victim advocacy. 182 children received mental health therapy on-site, and an additional 800 children were linked with trauma-focused therapy at mental health partner agencies throughout Philadelphia; and WHEREAS, St. Christopher's Hospital and the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) has established a medical clinic on-site at the co-located facility so that any child is able to receive the immediate attention and care they need five days a week. In 2017, 560 children received on-site medical evaluations; and WHEREAS, April is Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month and Philadelphia Children's Alliance, with the Department of Human Services, recognize this month by promoting increased knowledge of the resources available to parents and caregivers to prevent child maltreatment and promote well-being; and WHEREAS, The Philadelphia Children's Alliance and the Department of Human Services are respected organizations in Philadelphia focused on services to child victims of sexual abuse and minor sex trafficking; we recognize the critical need for these vital services to help protect the children and families they serve so that children can quickly get the help they need to live safe, fulfilling lives; and THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, That the Council of the City of Philadelphia hereby recognizes, congratulates, honors and celebrates the Philadelphia Children's Alliance and the Department of Human Services for their commitment to promoting healing and justice for victims of child sexual abuse in Philadelphia and declaring April 2018 to be Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month in the City of Philadelphia. We extend the sincere respect and admiration of this legislative body and thank you for your organization's contributions to better the lives of our City's youth. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That an engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to the Philadelphia Children's Alliance as evidence of the sincere respect and admiration of this legislative body. ..End