January 2018
In this month's edition:

  • Community HealthChoices implemented in southwestern PA
  • DHS receives grant to assist foster youth
  • Photo: KEYS Service Corps - AmeriCorps
  • DHS, CMU students partner to improve court experience
  • Holiday Project continues to bring seasonal cheer to local youth
  • Kudos: Samantha Dilla, Vicki Naccarato, Kristy Sherosky and Tara Terlecki (December 2017 One Good Apple Award recipients)
  • Kudos: Genafie Jones
  • Kudos: Hannah Shenkle
  • Kudos: Holiday Project
  • Research and Reports

 News articles are uploaded to the DHS website as soon as they become available. For the most up-to-date news, visit  DHS News online . 
Community HealthChoices implemented in southwestern PA

This January 1 brought changes for people receiving long-term care services through Medical Assistance (MA) and people with both Medicare and MA .
DHS receives grant to assist foster youth 

Allegheny County Department of Human Services (DHS) received nearly $1 million as one of three sites selected nationally to implement YVLifeSet, an evidence-informed program developed by Tennessee-based Youth Villages to assist young adults ages 17 to 22 who have been in foster care or out-of-home placement and are eligible for Independent Living (IL) services .
KEYS Service Corps - AmeriCorps

KEYS (Knowledge to Empower Youth to Success) continued its tradition of honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by presenting two events over the long holiday weekend .
DHS, CMU students partner to improve court experience

Over the last several months, the Department of Human Services (DHS) and the Allegheny County Family Court have been involved in an exciting partnership with Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) design students .
Holiday Project continues to bring seasonal cheer to local youth

This past fall, community members and DHS staff once again banded together for the DHS Holiday Project, creating a festive holiday season for youth served by the Office of Children, Youth, and Families (CYF) .
Kudos: Samantha Dilla, Vicki Naccarato, Kristy Sherosky and Tara Terlecki (December 2017 One Good Apple Award recipients)

Samantha Dilla, Vicki Naccarato, Kristy Sherosky and Tara Terlecki were selected as the December 2017 DHS One Good Apple Award winners .

The One Good Apple Award recognizes DHS and Great Lakes Behavioral Research Institute employees who have exhibited exemplary work, directly or indirectly, in the field of child welfare. Any DHS or Great Lakes employee may submit a nomination for the award , and recipients are recognized quarterly. Additional information on the award is available on the DHS Intranet under Staff Resources.
Kudos: Genafie Jones

Amy Sula, manager of integration support in the Office of Children, Youth, and Families (CYF), received an email recognizing Genafie Jones, managed care liaison . 
Kudos: Hannah Shankle

The Honorable Jennifer McCrady, Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas, sent an email commending Hannah Shankle, caseworker III . 
Kudos: Holiday Project

A relative of DHS clients recently sent a letter thanking the Holiday Project for making Christmas special for her family members . 
Research and Reports

The following items have been posted to www.alleghenycountyanalytics.us .

  • Adoptions and Involuntary Termination of Parental Rights Cases: The DHS Office of Children, Youth and Families provides adoption services for children who are unable to be reunified with their birth parents. This data brief examines termination of parental rights petitions and adoptions from January 2014 through December of last year. 

  • The Involuntary Commitment Process in Allegheny County: An involuntary commitment may be necessary to stop someone from harming themselves or others. Learn about how the process works, who the petitioners are, and where the people petitioned are living. 

  • Free Tax Preparation Services at the Allegheny County Department of Human Services: The Allegheny County Department of Human Services (DHS), in partnership with the United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania, has been offering free tax preparation in several locations throughout the County since 2011. Thirteen trained volunteers helped 343 clients in need prepare returns last year. Collectively, these clients received a total federal refund of $519,645, at no cost to them. This brief includes demographic information about the taxpayers who received DHS tax assistance services and the overall results of the 2017 program.

We welcome your story ideas, employee news and comments. If you’ve got news you’d like to see in DHS News, please contact Mark Bertolet at mark.bertolet@alleghenycounty.us or 412-350-3439.