March 2017
In this month's edition:
  • New, improved Learning Management System introduced to DHS
  • The Winter Shelter concludes a successful season
  • Hoarding Task Force
  • Registration open for 2017 Project Prom for Gentlemen
  • NCJW/DHS Project Prom
  • New 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 . 
New, improved Learning Management System introduced to DHS

The Department of Human Services (DHS) has partnered with Cornerstone to implement a new Learning Management System (LMS) designed to increase learning and enhance skills.
The Winter Shelter concludes a successful season

For the first time, the Winter Shelter for individuals who are experiencing homelessness, formerly known as the Severe Weather Emergency Shelter, was open every night throughout the winter, regardless of weather. 
Hoarding Task Force

As stories of hoarding continue to permeate the media, staff at the Department of Human Services are working with other community organizations to seek solutions as part of the Allegheny County Hoarding Task Force.

Registration open for 2017 Project Prom for Gentlemen

On April 20, up to 100 young men will gather downtown at the Human Services Building for the sixth annual Project Prom for Gentlemen.
NCJW/DHS Project Prom 

The Project Prom shop, located at Thriftique in Lawrenceville, opened its doors March 18 through 25. This year, more than 200 girls received dresses, shoes and accessories for their special night. 

Starting Wednesday, April 5, the public will have the chance to purchase new and gently worn gowns for $25, $50 and $75 during Thriftique’s regular store hours. Proceeds will benefit Project Prom. Visit the Thriftique website for more details.
New reports 

Three reports have been posted to http://www.alleghenycountyanalytics.us

Conferencing and Teaming in Allegheny County: Participant Experience Update
Conferencing and Teaming is the Allegheny County Department of Human Services’ practice model designed to engage child welfare participants, and their natural supports, in a process of family strengthening through client-driven goal setting and achievement.  An analysis of participant experiences with Conferencing and Teaming was conducted in order to assess their satisfaction with the process and ways in which participation might be improved. The analysis was based on telephone surveys with more than 200 participants. 

Data Brief: Understanding the Foster Parent Training Experience
Eleven Allegheny County foster care provider agencies formed a training cooperative in order to improve the number and quality of training opportunities for foster parents. After increasing the number and variety of trainings, the cooperative requested feedback to inform quality and access improvements.  DHS staff conducted telephone surveys with foster parents and identified a number of recommendations for improvement.  This brief provides an overview of the survey process and findings.

Suburban Poverty: Assessing Community Need Outside the Central City – 2014 Update
The Community Need Index, a matrix for analyzing and illustrating relative need in Allegheny County communities outside the City of Pittsburgh, was developed by the Allegheny County Department of Human Services and introduced in 2014 in Suburban Poverty: Assessing Community Need Outside the Central City.  That analysis was updated in Suburban Poverty: Assessing Community Need Outside the Central City - 2012 Update. This data brief provides updated information through 2014, as well as an overview of recent changes in communities’ relative need levels based upon such factors as percentage of population below the federal poverty line, percentage of families headed by single females, percentage of unemployed males ages 16 through 64, and percentage of households with no available vehicle.  The brief is accompanied by the raw data set, so that readers may explore within specific census tracts and neighborhoods and incorporate the Index into other maps.

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.