Philadelphia Safe and Sound collaborates with government, foundations, corporations and community groups to foster change and reform within major public systems that deliver services to youth. It strives to improve the health and well being of children through initiatives designed to increase youth development opportunities and reduce youth violence and substance abuse.

Philadelphia Safe and Sound's strategies aim to produce measurable improvements in targeted outcomes for children and youth by (1.) reforming government systems so that decision-making is driven by research, results and accountability; and (2.) by developing and evaluating innovative and successful prevention and youth development initiatives, such as the annual publication of the Report Card and Children's Budget; Children's Investment Strategy, Integrated Data System and Performance-Based Contracting. These various initiatives help the City of Philadelphia to evaluate conditions for children, focus resources and ensure the greatest chance of achieving measurable positive outcomes for children.

The annual publication of the Report Card and Children's Budget serve as yearly assessments of both the status of children's well being and government spending on child-related issues. These publications are invaluable in raising children's issues to the forefront of the public agenda in a direct and powerful manner, spurring corrective innovation and comprehensive solutions. These documents also help guide the policies, investments and future plans of various department heads and private partners.

Philadelphia Safe and Sound, the City and its private partners have crafted a comprehensive Children's Investment Strategy (CIS). CIS envisions the expansion and enhancement of youth development and after-school programs for all school age children who need such services. By combining new funding opportunities with redirected public dollars, CIS will substantially expand services to children and youth during non-school hours. This ambitious multi-year project seeks to reach at least 100,000 children and help encourage improved academic performance and reduce involvement in substance abuse, violence, and other delinquent behavior.

Additionally, Philadelphia Safe and Sound is providing technical assistance to the City with its integrated case management approach to social services by developing an integrated data system. The Integrated Data System, once implemented, will allow for Philadelphia citizens of all ages to receive appropriate, seamless and comprehensive services throughout the social service system. The project will integrate the data systems of five social service agencies with those of the School District and the Police Department. The combination of an integrated case management and data system will allow greater information exchange among city agencies to foster better coordination and effectiveness.

Lastly, Philadelphia Safe and Sound, in partnership with the City's Quality Management Division, will institutionalize a Performance-Based Contracting system of judging the performance of private service providers based upon the demonstration of measurable changes in client outcomes, rather than just the number of clients served. This initiative will radically change the public social service system, and will help to ensure that all client outcomes, including those specifically related to violence and substance abuse, are addressed in an effective and efficient manner.