March 2018
In this month's edition:

  • Engaging the community in public planning
  • OID eligibility expanded
  • KEYS Service Corps seeks enthusiastic new members
  • DHS 101 sessions provide overviews of offices and programs
  • NCJW/DHS Project Prom 
  • Child Abuse Prevention Month
  • Book donations sought for Summer Food program
  • Kudos: William Battles, James Caldwell, and Lindsey Hern (March 2018 One Good Apple Award recipients)
  • Kudos: Lynn Pugliano
  • 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 . 
Engaging the community in public planning

The Department of Human Services (DHS) is implementing a new technology solution to enable clients and other community members to give feedback, share information and generate ideas about proposed Allegheny County projects and policies .
OID eligibility expanded

The criteria needed to register with the Office of Intellectual Disability (OID) to access supports coordination services, or to receive Pennsylvania Department of Human Services Office of Developmental Program (ODP) waivers, has recently expanded .
KEYS Service Corps seeks enthusiastic new members

KEYS (Knowledge to Empower Youth to Success) is an AmeriCorps program designed to serve at-risk youth in Pittsburgh and Allegheny County by providing safe places with structured activities, assisting with homework and classwork, and implementing service projects .
DHS 101 sessions provide overviews of offices and programs

Since January, the Department of Human Services (DHS) has been offering monthly 101 sessions at the Human Services Building to educate staff about the purpose and operations of each DHS office .
NCJW/DHS Project Prom  
The Project Prom shop, located at Thriftique in Lawrenceville, opened its doors March 3 through 10. This year, nearly 250 girls received dresses, shoes and accessories for their special night. 

Through the prom season, the public will have the chance to purchase new and gently worn dresses priced between $16 and $45 during Thriftique’s regular store hours. Proceeds will benefit Project Prom. Visit the  Thriftique website  for more details.
Child Abuse Prevention Month
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. Allegheny County DHS would like to remind people that we are in need of foster families for youth who, because of abuse or neglect, have been removed from their home. We are especially in need of homes for teens. Visit www.fostergoodness.org to learn more.
Book donations sought for Summer Food program

DHS is collecting new children’s books for distribution to children and youth who receive meals through the department’s Summer Food program .
Kudos: William Battles, James Caldwell, and Lindsey Hern (March 2018 One Good Apple Award recipients)
William Battles, James Caldwell, and Lindsey Hern were selected as the March 2018 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.

If you have any questions regarding the One Good Apple Award, please contact Carrie Sousa at carrie.sousa@alleghenycounty.us .
Kudos: Lynn Pugliano

A happy family member sent an email thanking Lynn Pugliano, intake/eligibility supervisor in the Office of Intellectual Disabilities (OID), for her assistance .
Research and reports

The following data briefs are now featured on www.alleghenycountyanalytics.us .

  • Single Mothers Living in Poverty: Approximately 40 percent of the families headed by single mothers in Allegheny County are living below the poverty line, while only four percent of two-parent families are living in poverty. This data brief takes a closer look at families in the region led by single mothers, describes how they fare in comparison to other types of families, and maps where they live in Pittsburgh and Allegheny County.

  • Youth Who Ran Away from Allegheny County Child Welfare Placements: In Allegheny County in 2016, 73 children in child welfare out-of-home placements ran away. This represents three percent of all children and nine percent of children ages 12 through 18 who were in placement that year. In this data brief, we analyze the factors that may contribute to runaway episodes in Allegheny County’s child welfare system such as demographics of the children and their placement types prior to running away.

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.