Institutionalizing the annual publication of Report Card: The Well-Being of Philadelphia's Children and Youth, Community Report Cards/Specialty Report Cards and the bi-annual publication of the Children's Budget: Investments in the Children and Youth of Philadelphia as an ongoing Commitment to Assessing and Improving Outcomes for Philadelphia's Children and Youth.

WHEREAS, The annual release of

The Report Card

since 2000, has established Philadelphia as one of the first major cities in the country to develop and publish an annual report card charting how children are growing, thriving, and advancing in adulthood; and

WHEREAS, Publication of

The Report Card,

has now become an institutionalized commitment that must not end; and

WHEREAS,

Report Card

findings have been used to help develop new solutions to child and youth risks, using research-based strategies, trend analysis, and geo-mapping to advance prevention and best practices strategies that support the safe, healthy, and successful development of Philadelphia’s children, youth, and young adults; and

WHEREAS,

The Report Card

does not measure the work of any specific government agency or organization, but underscores the need for families, the business community, non-profit organizations, schools and the general public to work together to achieve the results that will lead children to a healthy and successful adulthood; and

WHEREAS, The engagement of City agency staff has become a mainstay in the development of

The Report Card

; and

WHEREAS, For the past seven years,

The Report Card

has become integral to development of the City budget as it is used by City agencies in preparation for City Council Budget hearings; and

WHEREAS, Due to the growth in

The Report Card’s

dissemination and use by; advocates, providers, and community non-profits to support calls for improvement of services and proposals for grants and other funding it is imperative to officially announce it’s value; and

WHEREAS, This valuable report should continue to be supported by a combination of publicly and privately supported funds to continue its status as a publicly owned product and continue to secure its independent integrity; and

WHEREAS,

Community Report Cards

present a comprehensive analysis and summary of key indicators of child and youth well-being within Philadelphia neighborhoods; and

WHEREAS, By using the

Community Report Cards

decision makers inside and outside of government can target neighborhoods and advocate for the development and growth of healthy community-based programs and projects; and

WHEREAS,

Specialty Report Cards

provide a more in-depth analysis of key issues faced by Philadelphia’s children and youth; and

WHEREAS,

The Children’s Budget: Investments in the Children and Youth of Philadelphia

is a comprehensive analysis of Philadelphia’s financial investment in children; and

WHEREAS,

The Children’s Budget

monitors federal, state, and city governments’ resource allocations for services that prepare children for healthy and productive lives; and

WHEREAS,

The Children’s Budget

also guides city officials, policy makers, advocates and community, and business leaders on strategic decision making related to funding critical to programs and services for children; and

WHEREAS,

The Report Card, the Community Report Cards/Specialty Report Cards and the Children’s Budget

need to be formally institutionalized by City Council as a commitment to tracking the state of Philadelphia’s children and youth; now therefore

RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Supports the institutionalization and annual publication of the

The Report Card, Community Report Cards/Specialty Report Cards

and bi-annual publication of the

Children’s Budget

as valuable self-assessment objectives, and transparent tools for the City of Philadelphia.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to representatives of the Philadelphia Safe and Sound; for their hard work and efforts in the promotion of children’s health, safety, education, and welfare as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body.

End