Child/Youth Welfare, Safety and Prevention

Northern’s Child Welfare and Youth Safety & Prevention divisions compliments its Behavioral Health division, providing an array of prevention and intervention services to children, youth and families, both off and on our campus - particularly those who have been or are at risk of abuse or neglect. Our programs and policies focus on the protection, care, and healthy development of children and youth.

Foster Care
Our Foster Care parents give children and youth (ages 0-21) with varying levels of emotional and behavioral support and the care, love, and nurturing family environments they need.
Change the life of a child. Make a difference in your community. Foster Care involves the placement of children and youth in a single or two-parent family. We offer strong support to foster parents and work collaboratively with them to meet the child or youth’s needs and provide a safe pathway to permanency.

Foster Parent Requirements:

21 years of age or older;
Single or married;
Open to LBGTQ+ youth, older youth, and children and youth who may have experienced trauma, grief, loss, etc.
Open to sibling sets of two children or more
PA Driver’s License and insured/ registered vehicle to transport child(ren);
Good physical and emotional health;
Can work cooperatively with a team;
Can help a child move to an adoptive home or reunite with their family.
Northern provides:

Ongoing training
Support Groups
24-Hour Crisis Response and intervention support
Monthly stipend (rates vary).
For more information, please contact Nisaa Johnson, Foster Care Supervisor, at 215-482-1423 ext. 1137 or nissajohnson@northernchildren.org
Inquire
Adoptions & Permanency
Northern Children facilitates adoptions between loving families and children from infancy to 21-years-old. The children are each in need of safe, supportive and stable environments.
Make a difference in a child or youth’s life. We are always looking for families who are willing to care for siblings and older children. Join us for an information session!

Adoptive Parent Requirements:

21 years of age or older;
Single or married;
PA Driver’s License and insured/ registered vehicle to transport child(ren);
Open to LBGTQ+ youth, older youth, and children and youth who may have experienced trauma, grief, loss, etc.
Good physical and emotional health;
Can work cooperatively with a team;
Willing and able to transport a child or children to necessary appointments, visits, etc.
Can help a child move to an adoptive home or reunite with their family.
Northern provides:

Ongoing training
Possible subsidies
Strong support through caring and knowledgeable staff and through specialized support groups and other resources
Special activities and events for families throughout the year
For more information please contact Amanda Ollison, Adoptions Supervisor, at 215-482-1423 ext. 1002 or aollison@northernchildren.org
Inquire
Juvenile Justice Supportive Services Program
This program supports youth at the Philadelphia Juvenile Justice Services Center (“PJJSC”) School through a collaborative, strength-based process that ensure that the needs of youth are addressed during their time at PJJSC.
For more information please call Kia Butler, Senior Director of Safety & Prevention, at 215-482-1423 ext. 1261 or email knbutler@northernchildren.org.
Inquire
Youth Promoting Peace Program (YP3)
YP3 engages gender and age-specific groups (ages 11-13, 14-17 and 18-24) once weekly over 12 weeks.
Youth Promoting Peace Program (YP3) engages youth ages 11-24 residing in Philadelphia in activities that aim to decrease exposure to violence and trauma symptoms while building life and leadership skills designed to broaden their experiences, perspectives, and possibilities.

Youth will learn:

Recognizing and addressing trauma

Conflict resolution strategies

Community issue mapping

Digital storytelling

Youth leadership skills

Continuing education and career paths

Financial literacy

Physical and mental fitness

Impact of gun violence within our communities

Healthy social media engagement

The power of peer and mentor relationships

Participating youth will receive a stipend for successful completion of the program. Transportation, dinner, and snacks will be provided.

For more information, please contact Danene Bowman,YP3 Supervisor, at 215-482-1423 ext. 1220 or dbowman@orthernchildren.org
Inquire

Child/Youth Welfare, Safety and Prevention

Foster Care

Our Foster Care parents give children and youth (ages 0-21) with varying levels of emotional and behavioral support and the care, love, and nurturing family environments they need.

Adoptions & Permanency

Northern Children facilitates adoptions between loving families and children from infancy to 21-years-old. The children are each in need of safe, supportive and stable environments.

Juvenile Justice Supportive Services Program

This program supports youth at the Philadelphia Juvenile Justice Services Center (“PJJSC”) School through a collaborative, strength-based process that ensure that the needs of youth are addressed during their time at PJJSC.​​

Youth Promoting Peace Program (YP3)

YP3 engages gender and age-specific groups (ages 11-13, 14-17 and 18-24) once weekly over 12 weeks.

This program supports youth at the Philadelphia Juvenile Justice Services Center (“PJJSC”) School through a collaborative, strength-based process that ensure that the needs of youth are addressed during their time at PJJSC.