PHILADELPHIA, April 20, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) --
WHAT: First National Child Abuse Prevention Month Open House. Children's Art Contest, "My Family," Award Presentation. Displays, exhibits, historical documents and photographs. WHO: DHS Commissioner Alba Martinez PSSC Executive Director Helen Dennis and PSSC Clients Also attending: Rev. Wilson Goode, Sr. Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown City Council President Anna Verna And other community leaders WHEN: Tuesday, April 20, 2004 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Remarks at 4:00 Children's Art Contest Winners Presentation at 5:30 p.m. WHERE: Philadelphia Society for Services to Children 415 South 15th Street Philadelphia, PA 19146
Philadelphia Society for Services to Children, a private non-profit agency, is a recognized leader in the prevention of child abuse and neglect in the Delaware Valley. Serving more than 800 children annually, PSSC has been in the forefront of promoting the safe and wholesome development of children within their families and the community while reducing dependency on the public child welfare system.
-- In 2002, there were 1,336 substantiated reports of child abuse in the city of Philadelphia (including 12 deaths); during the same time, none of the children receiving PSSC services were reported to be victims of abuse. -- According to a recent survey of Philadelphia's Child Welfare System, 91 percent of the high-risk families PSSC served since 1996 remained out of Philadelphia's Children and Youth System for at least a year after receiving services. -- PSSC's average services cost around $2,500 per child each year; the minimum cost of a year in foster care is $13,000.
We invite you to join us to learn about the issues of child abuse and neglect, as well as PSSC's programs to help the children and families of Philadelphia from 1835 to today. For more information about PSSC, visit our Web site at www.pssckids.org.