The Department of Human Services (DHS) has recently received more than $2 million through three different grant awards to increase and/or improve behavioral health supports and services to residents of Allegheny County.

In November 2015, DHS implemented an onboarding program to more effectively integrate new hires into the work environment.

Congratulations once again goes to Team DHS Allegheny which joined this year’s NAMI Walk at the Waterfront in Homestead to fight stigma, raise awareness, and support individuals and families overcoming the challenges of mental illness. With a team of almost 20 walkers and support from across DHS, more than $2000 was raised through direct donations to individual walkers and the team, a breakfast bake sale, candy bar sale, and the “Change for Change” challenge. While the final count is not yet in, the team hopes to break into the top ten fundraising teams for NAMI Southwest PA for the second year in a row.  Thank you colleagues, family and friends!

First Georgia Hernandez Award presented

Georgia Hernandez, Chair of the DHS Office of Children Youth and Families Advisory Board, passed away on October 28. Earlier this year, DHS created a caseworker excellence award in her honor, and Kaitlyn Leo, caseworker III in the South Regional Office, was recently named as the first honoree. 

Carol Brackett, division chief in the Area Agency on Aging (AAA), received the University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work’s 2016 Outstanding Field Instructor Award.

Dr. Latika Davis-Jones, administrator of the Bureau of Drug and Alcohol Services, Office of Behavioral Health (OBH), was selected as the winner of the African American Leadership Association’s 2016 Bernadette Turner award.