Philadelphia Office of Children and Families

Looking for ways to get your children to try different colored fruits and vegetables? Well, we've got some ideas for you in honor of National Fresh Fruit and Vegetable month! Here's a tip - try pairing a new food with one they already like. And check out these delicious recipes to entice them even more! https://www.paharvestofthemonth.org/inde/recipes-joomrecipe

¡Pase su verano con @PhiladelphiaGov! ¡Los niños pueden aprender y jugar en cada vecindario junto con los programas en toda la ciudad que siguen las pautas de seguridad! Encuentre oportunidades de verano cerca de usted en phila.gov/PlayItSafePHL

Transitioning into adulthood isn’t easy and neither is finding affordable housing. Read how the new Philadelphia Department of Human Services Rental Assistance Program is helping Khadijah and Natanya, who are aging out of foster care, to secure housing. https://www.phila.gov/2021-05-26-rental-assistance-program/

2021 Community School Awards

Stay tuned in less than 10 minutes for the Community School Awards - streamed LIVE on Philadelphia Office of Children and Families! We're celebrating the students, community members, teachers, partners, and more who make #CommunitySchoolsPHL so great.

Most Philadelphia families qualify for a new monthly payment from the federal government of $250 or $300 per child starting as soon as July 2021! Find out what you need to do to receive the new Child Tax Credit payment. Spoiler alert: It's EASY! phila.gov/childtaxcredit

Grab your skates! City ice rinks are opening this month for free public skate time. Don’t forget to book your spot in advance and #MaskUpPHL! Learn more here: https://www.phila.gov/2021-02-04-public-skate-begins-at-pa/

ICYMISNAP benefits increased at the end of January and will continue for the next 6 months! And an important reminder Families with mixed immigration status... can and should apply for SNAP benefits if the children are US Citizens. These children are eligible regardless of the immigration status of their parents. Community Legal Services of Philadelphia Greater Philadelphia Coalition Against Hunger See more

Ask the experts about COVID-19 and sending your child back to child care. Learn more and sign up to attend this virtual event:

Want to boost your child’s reading level this school year? Sign up for Philly Reading Coaches for free, individualized, online reading sessions. These fun and interactive sessions are 1 hour per week and open to students in K3. Space is limited, register today! bit.ly/PRCVirtualReading

School will remain online for a while. Let us help with your child’s digital learning! Check out one of our Parks & Rec @ Home videos on our YouTube channel. There are so many fun activities to choose from. https://www.youtube.com/c/findyourpathphilly

Like everything else in 2020, Halloween celebrations will look a little different this year. As cases of COVID-19 continue to be diagnosed, it is important that we keep up the simple precautions that have successfully reduced community spread of the virus. https://www.phila.gov/2020-10-06-how-to-have-a-spooky-hall/

Share the love of reading with a K-3 student, virtually! Philly Reading Coaches volunteers read at least once a week with young students, to boost confidence and encourage a love of reading. bit.ly/BecomeAReadingCoach

Even during COVID-19, there are many services and opportunities out there for Philly teens. Check out these resources and supports for older youth: https://www.phila.gov/2020-10-16-fall-activities-and-oppor/

Store opioids and other hazardous materials up and away from children. In the first 9 months of 2020, there have been more child drug-ingestion related deaths than in the full calendar years for 2018 and 2019. Together we can keep our children safe.

Yep! Free, nutritious food for families, students and older adults is still available every week across Philadelphia with regular schedules again. Be sure to... go to phila.gov/food to confirm schedules and your location. And don't forget to #MaskUpPHL! #TogetherWeCan Philabundance Share Food Program See more

Looking for an early childhood education job? #PHLpreK centers are hiring! Check out this list of locations to apply to today https://www.phila.gov/2018-08-17-15-phlprek-programs-that-/

Families: Don’t forget to check out the new Find Your Fit page on the School District of Philadelphia website! Learn how to apply to: Special admission schools Citywide schools Neighborhood schools https://www.philasd.org/studentplacement//school-selection/

"We need people to realize that mental health is not just for people that are struggling, it’s for everybody." Here's how a mindfulness class at Gompers is helping Community School faculty, staff and students. https://www.phillytrib.com//article_3804ecda-5011-5feb-8e4

FYI! TOMORROW ONLY @schoolmealsnds will be distributing FREE boxes of food. Meal kits for virtual students will also be available! Saturday 10/17 - 10am-noon @usdagov #feedphilly

#E3PHL launched on October 1, offering expanded supports and access to Philadelphia’s young people! Read the news:

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Philadelphia’s paid sick leave law has been amended to include new protections that affect many workers in the city. Check out the guide to understanding paid sick leave. https://bit.ly/30v20q1

Want to boost your child’s reading level this school year? Sign up for Philly Reading Coaches for free, individualized, online reading sessions. These fun and interactive sessions are 1 hour per week and open to students in K3. Space is limited, register today! bit.ly/PRCVirtualReading

Household Hazardous Waste Events are back. Residents may drop off items labeled: toxic, flammable, corrosive or reactive at one of four events offered across the City. New PA state COVID-19 protocols require residents to pre-register and schedule an appointment to drop off materials at one of the four events. Learn more and pre-register at philadelphiastreets.com/hazardous-waste/

We recognized an ever-growing need for immediate support. Our Community School coordinators - including Liz and Janelle have continued to serve 10,000 students and their communities during COVID-19.

Congratulations to Jahaira Romero, a Philly Reading Coaches volunteer and 2020 Mayor’s Day of Service Recognition awardee. As a Philly Reading Coach (PRC), Jahaira helps students build confidence and a love for reading. During her first year, Jahaira volunteered at one of PRC's high need sites, PAL 25th, reading with students who spoke English as a second language and often times those who spoke only Spanish. Her high spirit and positive energy brought hope and light to ea...ch reading session and kept students motivated to come back each week. Jahaira went above and beyond her role as a volunteer and would arrive early to set up the reading sessions and create ways to make the program more engaging for the students at her site. Because of her dedication and genuine love for working with children, Jahaira was hired as a Site Coordinator the following program year, where she worked at McVeigh Recreation Center in Kensington. Jahaira is a freshman at Penn State -Abington campus. She graduated from Bodine High School for International Affairs and began volunteering with Philly Reading Coaches in 2018 and became a Site Coordinator with them her senior year. It is very important for Jahaira that she give back to her community and become a better version of herself through volunteering.

Did you know you can cast your ballot before Election Day? Philadelphia residents will have access to 17 satellite election office locations throughout the city where they can go to register to vote, request a mail-in ballot, receive their ballot, vote, and return it, all in one visit.