Philadelphia Voters Pass Ballot Measure Making Office of Youth Ombudsperson Permanent

The City of Philadelphia’s Office of the Youth Ombudsperson will be added to the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter as a permanent and required City agency.

Philadelphia, PA (May 19, 2026) – Tonight, voters approved a ballot measure that adds the City of Philadelphia Office of the Youth Ombudsperson to the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter, making it a permanent City agency. Young people in youth prisons, foster group homes, and behavioral health placements now have a permanent advocate they can reach out to report abuse or mistreatment without fear of retaliation.

The Office of the Youth Ombudsperson was created in 2022 through the budget process and an executive order. This is a decisive win for advocates who have pushed for a permanent and independent office for years. 

Councilmember Jamie Gauthier (3rd District) championed the ballot measure. 

"Tonight, Philadelphians voted overwhelmingly to make the City of Philadelphia's Office of the Youth Ombudsperson permanent," said charter change sponsor Councilmember Jamie Gauthier (3rd District). "Young people in detention, foster group homes, and psychiatric facilities deserve an independent voice for their safety and rights. No one cares about our kids as much as we do and Philly showed up for them at the ballot box."

Advocates across Philadelphia are celebrating this evening. 

“I am excited that Philadelphia is one step closer to having a permanent Office of the Youth Ombudsman,” said Juvenile Law Center Senior Attorney Malik Pickett. “This office has already provided essential education, monitoring, and protection services to our children. I look forward to all the work this office will continue to do in the future.”  

“This vote ensures that Philadelphia children in residential facilities will finally have a permanent, independent watchdog dedicated to protecting their safety and safeguarding their rights,” said Stefanie Arbutina, Vulnerable Youth Policy Director of Children First. “It’s not only a victory for those young people, but also a meaningful step forward for the entire city.”

Finally, the current Ombudsperson, Tracie Johnson, expressed deep gratitude. 

“The public has spoken, and we are deeply grateful,” said Philadelphia Youth Ombudsperson Tracie Johnson. “Philly voters have made clear that all youth in placement deserve to be safe, cared for, and supported with access to high-quality services and meaningful care. This moment strengthens our shared commitment to transparency, dignity, and system improvement for every young person in placement. Over the past three years, the Office of the Youth Ombudsperson has worked to shine a light on deeply rooted, long-standing systemic issues across the juvenile justice, child welfare, and behavioral health systems. That work has only been possible because of the trust, engagement, and support of the public and the young people whose experiences guide everything we do. With this newly secured permanency, we can continue this important oversight and accountability work without fear of placing the Office’s future and existence in jeopardy. We will soon release two new impact reports detailing systemic facility failures identified in 2025.We remain committed to keeping the public informed and engaged as this work continues.”