July 2017
In this month's edition:
  • Holiday Project collects sporting goods for local youth
  • DHS strengthens its emergency responses
  • BYP-led garden helps youth to "grow"
  • DHS staff collaborates with courts, schools to decrease juvenile justice risk
  • HappyorNot kiosks make their way to DHS offices
  • Homeless Advisory Board approves plan


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. 

Holiday Project collects sporting goods for local youth

'Tis the season for the first ever Holiday Project sporting equipment collection drive, the Project’s first major effort to collect highly-demanded sporting goods for youth served by the Office of Children, Youth and Families (CYF).

DHS strengthens its emergency responses

Every day, news stories cover a myriad of emergencies and disasters happening around the world. While  these instances often seem as though they are unlikely to happen close to home, each event stands as a  reminder of the importance of preparedness.

BYP-led garden helps youth to “grow”


Since the end of June, under the guidance of KEYS AmeriCorps members, more than 20 youth have been working at the Braddock Youth Project (BYP) to learn gardening and life skills. 

DHS staff collaborates with courts, schools to decrease juvenile justice risk


Two DHS staff members are serving as part of a multisystem team that was selected to participate in the 2016 Georgetown University School-Justice Partnerships Certificate Program.

HappyorNot kiosks make their way to DHS offices


In the coming weeks, DHS staff and visitors will be seeing kiosks adorned with smiley faces around the Human Services Building and other DHS offices. 

Homeless Advisory Board approves plan


On July 25, the Homeless Advisory Board (HAB) voted to approve a five-year plan designed to prevent and end homelessness. Initiatives endorsed in the plan include expanding the winter shelter to become a 24/7, year-long shelter that engages and meets the needs of individuals who are chronically street homeless; creating a centralized housing navigator system; and focusing on accessibility and supply of quality, affordable housing.


“Every year in January, the Continuum of Care conducts an official count of individuals and families that are experiencing homelessness – either unsheltered on the streets or temporarily sheltered in emergency shelter or transitional housing.  Since 2014, we have reduced the number of people experiencing homelessness by 27%,” said Abigail Horn, Bureau of Homeless and Housing Services. “This strategic plan will help us to maintain that momentum and create a system that builds on progress to date while remaining flexible to address new challenges that may arise.”


To learn more about the plan, please visit the Homeless Advisory Board page on the DHS website.

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.