Philadelphia Moves to Make Youth Ombudsperson Office Permanent

City Council advances plan to solidify independent watchdog for youth in residential care facilities.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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The Philadelphia City Council has advanced a measure that would make the city's Office of the Youth Ombudsperson a permanent fixture, cementing its role as an independent agency tasked with improving the safety and quality of services for young people in residential treatment facilities. The office was established in 2022 following a series of abusive incidents brought to light, and advocates say it is vital to defend the rights of the city's "most vulnerable children."

Why it matters

The youth ombudsperson serves as a crucial advocate and watchdog for at-risk youth in Philadelphia's residential care system, which has faced longstanding issues of abuse and maltreatment. Making the office permanent would solidify its role in ensuring proper oversight and accountability for the treatment of these vulnerable young people.

The details

The Office of the Youth Ombudsperson was created by an executive order signed by former Mayor Jim Kenney in 2022. The office is tasked with promoting the health, welfare, education, safety, and well-being of Philadelphia youth placed in juvenile justice, child welfare, or behavioral health residential care facilities. Councilmember Jamie Gauthier, who is leading the effort to make the office permanent, cited research showing widespread physical, sexual, and verbal abuse of children in Pennsylvania's residential facilities, with 44% of reviewed facilities having repeated violations.

  • The Office of the Youth Ombudsperson was established in 2022 under an executive order signed by then-Mayor Jim Kenney.
  • On Monday, February 10, 2026, the Philadelphia City Council advanced a measure to make the youth ombudsperson office permanent through a change to the city's charter.

The players

Jim Kenney

The former mayor of Philadelphia who established the Office of the Youth Ombudsperson via executive order in 2022.

Jamie Gauthier

A Philadelphia City Councilmember who is leading the effort to make the youth ombudsperson office permanent.

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What they’re saying

“The young people in congregate care facilities are Philadelphia's most vulnerable children. We owe them a thorough, effective process for evaluating the quality of care we are providing, and the youth ombudsman's office is a critical part of meeting that obligation.”

— Jamie Gauthier, Philadelphia City Councilmember (whyy.org)

“The mission of the Office of the Youth Ombudsperson is to promote the health, welfare, education, safety, well-being and re-entry of Philadelphia youth placed in juvenile justice, child welfare or behavioral health residential care facilities.”

— Jamie Gauthier, Philadelphia City Councilmember (whyy.org)

What’s next

The City Council's measure to make the youth ombudsperson office permanent must still be approved by the full City Council and signed into law by the mayor.

The takeaway

Establishing the youth ombudsperson as a permanent fixture in Philadelphia's government demonstrates the city's commitment to protecting the rights and wellbeing of its most vulnerable youth in residential care facilities, where issues of abuse and neglect have persisted for years.