Northern Children’s Services Marks 10 Years of Leadership Under President & CEO Renata Cobbs-Fletcher

PRESS RELEASE — FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Philadelphia, PA – June 22, 2025

In a field often defined by what’s broken, Northern Children’s Services demonstrates what can be built with trust, consistency, and care. This year marks the 10th anniversary of President and CEO Renata Cobbs-Fletcher, whose leadership has carried forward Northern’s legacy of service while guiding the organization into a new era of growth, innovation, and strengthened partnerships with funders, volunteers, and mission-aligned allies.

Her tenure has also nurtured a resilient and deeply committed staff of professionals whose dedication and growth have elevated the organization from the inside out.

When Cobbs-Fletcher stepped into her role on June 22, 2015, Northern was emerging from a public embezzlement scandal and confronting severe financial hardship, with the threat of a merger, relocation, or even closure on the table. Over the past decade, she has led the organization through a profound turnaround, restoring fiscal stability, rebuilding institutional trust, and positioning Northern as a critical voice in Philadelphia’s child welfare and behavioral health ecosystems.

As national attention continues to focus on system failures in child welfare, from tragic outcomes to deep racial inequities, Northern offers a powerful counterpoint. Under Cobbs-Fletcher’s leadership, the organization has doubled down on prevention, family preservation, and trauma-informed, community-based services that build resilience and opportunity from the ground up.

Key Accomplishments Under Her Leadership Include:

Expansion of Generations II, Northern’s transitional housing program for pregnant and parenting young women, providing housing stability, life skills, and wraparound services
Development and expansion of YP3 (Youth Promoting Peace Program), a violence-prevention initiative for youth ages 11–24 that fosters leadership, resilience, and long-term opportunity
Creation of Crossroads, a transitional housing program supporting young adults aging out of foster care as they build stable, independent lives
Receipt of the 2024 Child CBT Sustainability Award from the Penn Beck Community Initiative, recognizing Northern’s commitment to sustained clinical excellence
Launch of “A Place to Thrive” in 2025, a five-year campaign to modernize and revitalize Northern’s historic Roxborough campus

“Renata's leadership has ensured that Northern remains not only relevant, but vital to the children, youth, and families we serve.”
— Jamie Wyper, Vice-Chair of Northern’s Board of Trustees

“When Renata joined Northern, we were in a time of deep uncertainty. Her leadership brought stability, vision, and hope when we needed it most. As the first African American woman to lead Northern, she broke barriers and has led with grace, courage, and conviction. She rebuilt trust across our staff, funders, community, and most importantly, the children and families we serve. Renata didn’t just lead us through change; she transformed us.”
— Kia Butler, Senior Director of Youth Safety and Prevention at Northern

“Under Renata’s leadership, Northern is well-positioned to shape the future of community-based care for children, youth, and families.”
— Marco Vietti, Chair of Northern’s Board of Trustees

Founded in 1853, Northern Children’s Services serves over 1,500 children, youth, and families annually through a continuum of care, including community behavioral health services, child and youth welfare, safety and prevention programs, and residential support. All services are grounded in evidence-based practices and delivered with a deep understanding of the effects of trauma, poverty, and systemic harm.

With decades of lessons behind it and bold goals ahead, Northern invites collaboration. Whether you’re a practitioner, policymaker, journalist, funder, advocate, or other stakeholder, there are meaningful ways to engage with our organization’s work, share insights, and help shape a more just, healing-centered future for children, youth, and families.

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Media Contact

Melanie Newell
Associate Director of Development
Northern Children’s Services
mnewell@northernchildren.org
(215) 482-1423 ext. 1225