Philly foster-care kids are getting fleeced | Morning Newsletter
And the vitality of men and women, down to a science.
The Morning Newsletter
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It’s a cloudy start to Wednesday, but it should be a nice one with temperatures in the high 50s.
Today we look at the millions of dollars in Social Security benefits that the city has siphoned from kids in the foster-care system.
Also, the scientific reason why women age better and live longer than men.
— Kerith Gabriel (@sprtswtr, morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)
When Vaughn Jackson fostered teen brothers in his Southwest Philly home, he received a monthly stipend from the city’s Department of Human Services for about $1,200 per child.
What he didn’t know, however, was that thousands more were available, additional money that already belonged to the brothers: Social Security payments stemming from the death of a woman who had adopted them more than a decade earlier.
Those payments were collected each month by DHS, which then swept the money into the city’s $5 billion general fund. According to records obtained by Resolve Philly and The Inquirer, DHS collected almost $5 million from hundreds of kids over the course of four years.
Here’s the kicker: While the practice is under scrutiny in many states and municipalities, taking benefits from children to essentially pay for their own foster care is a legal practice — one which many welfare providers don’t disclose to kids or caretakers.
If you can this morning, this report from contributors Steve Volk and Julie Christie should be one you spend some time with.
What you should know today
Philly Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw will not become New York’s next top cop after all.
Philly restaurant owners have mixed reactions about the city’s new vaccine mandate.
A barrage of bullets was fired in Nicetown that left one man in critical condition and hit the Philly offices of the NAACP and State Sen. Sharif Street.
Three more Philly members of the Proud Boys have been charged with involvement in the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection.
You’re going to want to read how the South Philly bake shop Termini Bros. saved Christmas.
Trade talks for Sixers point guard Ben Simmons could start heating up as early as today.
The Inquirer Editorial Board suggests even greater transparency is needed when it comes to the pensions of PSERS recipients.
Now that mask mandates are officially up to individual schools to decide, many schools within our region are responding very differently.
Local Coronavirus Numbers: Here’s your daily look at the latest COVID-19 data.
While it shouldn’t come as a surprise, it’s the reason that makes this story really interesting. Researchers are finding unexpected differences throughout our bodies, namely that some traits driving women’s vitality and longevity may come from having two X chromosomes.
When it comes to which is the healthier sex, these stats speak for themselves:
👵 85% to 90% of people 100 and older are women.
👵 All of the world’s 10 oldest people with credible birth records are women.
👵 In 2018, women died at a lower age-adjusted rate from 13 of the top 15 causes of death, according to the National Center for Health Statistics.
I’ve been saving this piece from our reporter Stacey Burling for a little while, and it’s a really fascinating look at the difference between men and women — and, at minimum, is a great conversation starter at work today.
🧠 Philly Trivia Time 🧠
The Kindy’s Christmas Factory in South Philly is not only an annual holiday pilgrimage, it’s now woven into this city’s fabric. Today’s question: Do you know what year Kindy’s opened? Check out our video tour of the factory for the answer and why it’s a place you have to check out at least once.
Photo of the day
Appreciate you starting your day with The Inquirer. Have a great one. 💯