Authorizing the Committee on Parks Recreation & Cultural Affairs and the Committee on Education to hold joint hearings on the state of young people in the City of Philadelphia.

WHEREAS, Philadelphia through its numerous programs provides services that benefit the City’s youth in a multitude of ways; and

WHEREAS, One of the most important services in which the City plays a role is in education where the School District of Philadelphia is educating over 192,000 students in 2004; and

WHEREAS, Through our Recreation Centers and the Children’s Investment Strategy thousands of children each year are provided safe environments to recreate and learn; and

WHEREAS, The Department of Human Services and the Health Department through adoptions, immunizations and a plethora of other strategies do a tremendous job given their resources to improve the health, welfare and safety of our youngest citizens; and

WHEREAS, There have been many success stories that this City can be proud of, including:

- Since 1995 the infant mortality rate has dropped 25%

- The pregnancy rate for women aged 15-17 has dropped 35% since 1995

- Child abuse cases have dropped 40% since 1996; and

WHEREAS, Despite the Herculean efforts of this government there are still many young people who are not getting the help they need; and

WHEREAS, Examples of needs that must still be addressed can be found in the 2004 Children’s Report Card which states that:

- The number of juveniles arrested for drug offenses in 2003 was 80% higher than 1996

- Homicides of youth ages 7-17 increased by 67% in 2003, the highest level since 1997

- Nearly 45% of 9th graders do not graduate in four years; and

WHEREAS, It is necessary for this Council and the citizens of Philadelphia to have a firm grasp of what the City is doing right, where the City may not be doing not enough, and what gaps could or should be filled in terms of services for our youth; now therefore

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That the Committee on Parks Recreation & Cultural Affairs and the Committee on Education are authorized to hold joint hearings on the state of young people in the City of Philadelphia.

End