PHILADELPHIA - A new report by a non-profit organization uncovered some of the disturbing impacts that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on children in Philadelphia.
The data compiled by Children First shows that students in Philadelphia are failing to meet basic educational benchmarks. There has also been a troubling 62% jump in calls by Philadelphia's youth to suicide hotlines, according to the report. "Our kids are not doing well," Executive Director of Children First Donna Cooper said. "All calls across the state rose about suicide, bullying, anxiety, depression." A panel of education and healthcare experts gathered Monday to discuss the report and answer questions.
Among the panelists were Dr. Ala Stanford, who founded the Black Dr. COVID-19 Consortium, and new Philadelphia Superintendent Dr.
Tony Watlington.MORE LOCAL HEADLINESIncluded in the report, researchers found that nearly 12,000 Philadelphia schoolchildren can't go to child care or pre-K because there are not enough teachers.