PHILADELPHIA, PA — In the heart of Philadelphia, the City Government is pushing boundaries, harnessing innovative approaches and applications to serve its community better.
In the most recent development, three City projects have been awarded funding through the Innovation Fund. These projects, tailored towards enhancing accessibility, criminal rehabilitation, and domestic violence awareness, are expected to redefine the existing services within the City.
The first project, “Accessible Signage for Philly Phlush Pilot Locations,” initiated by the Managing Director’s Office for Health and Human Services (HHS), received $3,012. The HHS team intends to install comprehensive signage for six “Philly Phlush” sites, which form part of the City’s public restroom pilot. The enhanced signage will include indications for amenities such as handwashing stations, menstrual products, and more. Furthermore, it will involve the creation of accessible map signage to guide blind or low-vision individuals and replace existing signs that are not high contrast enough for low-vision users to read easily.
Then, the District Attorney’s Office (DAO) was awarded $10,000 for their “Financial Support Pilot for Alternative Felony Disposition Program Participants”. This pre-trial diversion program is dedicated to individuals charged with carrying a gun without a license who have no significant criminal history. The awarded funding will assist in covering smaller costs that can often act as barriers to the success and completion of the program.
The final project, the “Accessible Domestic Violence Resources & Information” campaign, run by the Office of Domestic Violence Strategies (ODVS), gained $8,638 in funding. The ODVS plans to bridge the information gap for individuals with disabilities and those who speak languages other than English (LOTE). The project consists of creating printed resources and corresponding videos in multiple languages and American Sign Language (ASL), suitable for populations facing greater challenges in accessing services.
All three projects aim to enhance the City’s services, ensuring they are accessible and efficient, and meet the varying needs of all its residents. Their implementation could pave the way for other cities and communities nationwide, marking Philadelphia as a leader in public service innovation.
These initiatives have been enabled through the Innovation Fund, an internal city grant opportunity funded by the Philadelphia City Fund and managed by the Innovation Managers. The Fund reserves a sum of $25,000 per cycle and hosts two grant cycles per year, distributing micro-grants to City Departments to help launch creative initiatives.
This robust commitment to innovation symbolizes Philadelphia’s commitment to its citizens and its determination to continually enhance the quality of life across the city.
Stay tuned, Philadelphians, as we keep you updated on these projects and their respective impacts on the city.
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