Page 6-7 - 2012-2013 Bi-Annual Report

WHAT WE HAVE
ACHIEVED
The number of child abuse cases in Philadelphia has been shrinking, if slightly, in recent
years, and yet our caseload is ever increasing. We want to take care of these most
vulnerable children. We are only able to respond to their needs with the help of our
countless supporters – hundreds of volunteers, thousands of donors, key leaders
throughout the region and our dedicated staff – who provide the time, funding, advice
and counsel, vision and leadership. The life of every child we serve is made better by you.
Together, we change the story.
CLIENTS, VOLUNTEERS, OUTCOMES
IN FY13, CHILD ADVOCATES REPRESENTED
824 CHILDREN AND TEENS
This is an increase from the 810 served
in FY12. Most of these cases (84%) came
to us as Dependent Court appointments;
the remainder of our clients included
child victims of criminal abuse, children
in domestic relations proceedings, and
children in need of immigration status.
OUR CLIENTS WERE REPRESENTED BY
MORE THAN 300 VOLUNTEER ATTORNEYS
IN EACH OF THE LAST TWO YEARS
328 attorneys donated their time and
services in FY12, while 301 helped change
the story in FY13.
BOTH IN FY12 AND FY13, WE SECURED
PERMANENT, NURTURING HOMES FOR
OVER 90% OF OUR CHILD CLIENTS
Typically, most of our clients remain with,
or move to the homes of family members.
The only cases that close without
permanent homes are those involving
older teens who make the decision that
they no longer need our services. Through
our Teen Program, Staff Attorney Marti
Little provides special representation to
many of these clients, and advises other
staff members on their particular needs
and entitlements.
NEW CASE MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE
In 2012, we launched our new customized,
highly adaptable platform of MS Dynamic
CRM allowing us to manage our caseloads
more diligently. Thanks to the generous pro
bono work of 2012 Distinguished Advocate
John Pavain and MaxQ, this software
was designed in-house specifically to
encompass Child Advocates’ unique blend
of social work and legal representation.
OUR PROJECT FOR MEDICALLY NEEDY
CHILDREN EXPANDED FROM 88 CHILDREN
IN FY12 TO 125 CHILDREN IN FY13
Through this project, sponsored by The
Abington Foundation, Altria, The Claneil
Foundation, Fridolin Charitable Trust, The
George W. Rentschler Foundation and
ViroPharma, Inc., we are able to advocate
for children whose medical or behavioral
health needs and disabilities make
permanency and educational achievement
much more challenging. Cases closed in
the Project for Medically Needy Children
ended up with even higher rates of
permanency (97%) than the remainder of
our caseload.
MORE CHILDREN ARE ATTENDING SCHOOL
We are proud to announce that in the past
year, almost 90% of our clients attended
school regularly.
THE PERCENTAGE OF CLIENTS WHO
OBTAINED BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
ASSESSMENTS IMPROVED TO 94% IN FY12
Through our Outcomes in Behavioral
Health Project, funded by the Pew
Charitable Trusts and others, we raised
our percentage of clients who received
assessments from 81% in FY11 to 94% in
FY12. We also increased the numbers of
clients who received behavioral health
treatment from 60% in FY11 to 84% in FY12.
THE PERCENTAGE OF OUR CLIENTS
WITH HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE
INCREASED TO 95%
Since FY09, the number of children who
receive regular health and dental care has
grown each year. Last year, nearly 90%
of our preschool clients in need of Early
Childhood Assessments received them.
FISCAL YEARS 2012 - 2013
(JULY 1, 2011 - JUNE 30, 2013)