Steve Volk

1 month ago | inquirer.com | Steve Volk

In fall 2021, Tytianna Hawthorne received a phone message from an investigator with the Philadelphia Department of Human Services: Someone may have abused her 1-year-old daughter. The investigator was acting on a confidential tip to ChildLine from a caller who said a photo of Su’Layah on a social media account showed “hookah charcoal burn marks” on Su’Layah’s inner thighs. Hawthorne, a first-time mother at 20, had spent time in foster care herself and had no love for the system.

1 month ago | inquirer.com | Steve Volk |Julie Christie

A story like this could begin in dozens of places. It could begin with Elliot, an infant shaken so badly that he suffered a traumatic brain injury; or Adeen, another boy, submerged in scalding water; or Samaya, held down and burned with an iron. A story like this could also begin with a mom, like Tytianna Hawthorne, whose daughter Su’Layah Williams was removed from her care by the Philadelphia Department of Human Services and placed in a private home where the girl was allegedly murdered.

2 months ago | wesa.fm | Julie Christie |Steve Volk |Resolve Philly

Counties across Pennsylvania are taking millions of dollars in Social Security benefits owed to kids in foster care, a practice some child advocates equate to stealing. These local agencies contend the practice is allowed under law and needed to offset the cost of care. But it’s often done without a child’s knowledge and how some counties use the money is unclear. “This money belongs to these kids,” said state Rep.

2 months ago | inquirer.com | Julie Christie |Steve Volk

Spotlight PA is an independent, nonpartisan, and nonprofit newsroom producing investigative and public-service journalism that holds power to account and drives positive change in Pennsylvania. Sign up for our free newsletters. Counties across Pennsylvania are taking millions of dollars in Social Security benefits owed to kids in foster care, a practice some child advocates equate to stealing. These local agencies contend the practice is allowed under law and needed to offset the cost of care.

2 months ago | dailycourier.com | Julie Christie |Steve Volk

Counties across Pennsylvania are taking millions of dollars in Social Security benefits owed to kids in foster care, a practice some child advocates equate to stealing. These local agencies contend the practice is allowed under law and needed to offset the cost of care. But it’s often done without a child’s knowledge and how some counties use the money is unclear. kAm“%9:D >@?6J 36=@?8D E@ E96D6 <:5D[” D2:5 DE2E6 #6A] #:4< zC2;6HD<: Ws][ !9:=256=A9:2[X H9@ =2DE J62C :?EC@5F465 2 3:A2CE:D2?