T.B. v. City of Philadelphia

Brought in 1988, this lawsuit challenged the inadequacy of Philadelphia’s program of aftercare probation, which was responsible for planning a child’s course of treatment while in an institution, planning for discharge from the institution, and supervising the child after discharge. The lack of planning caused Philadelphia youth to remain in care, even when there was agreement that the youth was ready for discharge.

The suit was settled, with Philadelphia Family Court, one of the defendants, agreeing to follow aftercare standards promulgated by the Juvenile Court Judges’ Commission.