January 2019
In this month's edition:

  • ELRC update
  • Free education series for family caregivers offered at sites around Allegheny County
  • Two DHS offices receive recognitions
  • Holiday spirit flows in abundance, thanks to the Holiday Project
  • Kudos: Shelby Alston, Amanda Berube, Wayne Boyle, and Haley Koontz-Donohue (December 2018 One Good Apple Award winners)
  • Kudos: Tyler Connifey
  • Photo: AmeriCorps KEYS Day of Service
  • This month's Neighborland questions
  • 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 .  
The PA Department of Human Services has designated Allegheny County DHS as the entity responsible for administering state funding that will provide for an Early Learning Resource Center (ELRC) beginning in July 2019. The ELRC will serve as a single-entry point for families to connect with services for their children including family support, early intervention and access to child care. More information on the ELRC will be available in a future edition of DHS News.
Free education series for family caregivers offered at sites around Allegheny County

The Area Agency on Aging (AAA) is offering a free six-week education series, Powerful Tools for Caregivers, at senior centers around Allegheny County to educate nonprofessional caregivers about self-care .
Holiday spirit flows in abundance, thanks to the Holiday Project

The generosity of Allegheny County businesses and individuals once again made the season merry and bright for youth served by the Office of Children, Youth and Families (CYF) .
Two DHS offices receive recognitions

DHS's Office of Children, Youth and Families (CYF) and the Behavioral Health (BH)- CYF Community of Practice have both been recognized for their work .
Kudos: Shelby Alston, Amanda Berube, Wayne Boyle, and Haley Koontz-Donohue (December 2018 One Good Apple Award winners)

Shelby Alston, Amanda Berube, Wayne Boyle, and Haley Koontz-Donohue were selected as the December 2018 One Good Apple Award winners . 

The One Good Apple Award recognizes county employees and contracted staff who have exhibited exemplary work, directly or indirectly, in the field of child welfare. Any county employee or contracted staff may submit a nomination for the award , and recipients are recognized quarterly. 
Kudos: Tyler Connifey

An attorney sent an email recognizing Tyler Connifey, resource specialist supporting the Magisterial District Judges, for his exceptional efforts .
Photo: AmeriCorps KEYS Day of Service

AmeriCorps KEYS (Knowledge to Empower Youth to Success) continued its tradition of honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by participating in a day-long service project at the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. January and February are two of the leanest months of the year for the food bank, and the partial government shutdown caused an increased demand. To help meet community needs, approximately 30 KEYS members and staff packed 2,000 emergency food boxes for furloughed federal employees and others. 
This month's Neighborland questions

DHS has recently launched a website, built on a software platform called Neighborland, to gather community input in order to improve programs and services. This month we would like to know:

  • As a landlord, what would it take for you to rent your property to a person or family in an Allegheny County housing program?

  • What could we do to make it easier for you to become a foster parent to a child who needs you?
Research and reports

The following item was posted to  www.alleghenycountyanalytics.us.


Each year, the Allegheny County Department of Human Services (DHS) hosts a competition for local graduate students that challenges interdisciplinary teams to solve a problem in local government. This year’s topic, “Emerging Technologies to Address Human Service Problems,” asked students to apply game-changing applications of newer technologies in innovative ways to improve the lives of Allegheny County citizens.
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.