Innovation and Reform
Using SMS text messaging to inform, engage and communicate with residents
The Allegheny County Department of Human Services (DHS) engages clients and others who interact with DHS programs in a variety of ways: regular roundtables/cabinets (e.g., Children’s Cabinet); town halls and […]
Measuring effectiveness: How and why DHS uses randomized pilots
At the Allegheny County Department of Human Services (DHS), we work with more than 400 community organizations to keep children and older adults safe from abuse and neglect, connect them […]
Community Violence Reduction Initiative
This details the County’s plan, including strategies and investments, for implementation of the Community Violence Reduction Initiative. Overview: Working in partnership with the Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) Office of […]
Allegheny County Discounted Fares Pilot Program
Allegheny County’s Discounted Fares Pilot pilot is a 12-month program that is providing Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) fare discounts for working-age Allegheny County recipients of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) […]
Latinx Needs Assessment
The Latinx population in Allegheny County grew 80% between 2010 and 2020. This most recent community assessment report found several clear themes and opportunities for better serving the Latinx community.
Improving Crisis Prevention and Response
Researchers and public representatives met to address challenges that persist throughout our crisis system. They developed a set of 16 recommendations.
Data-Driven Efforts to Improve Housing Coordination for People Experiencing Homelessness
Allegheny County established a coordinated entry system to prioritize the most vulnerable homeless clients to get them into housing as quickly as possible.
Allegheny County Department of Human Services’ Strategic Initiatives
DHS developed a set of “strategic initiatives” to focus on in 2019 and 2020. A report presents these initiatives and examples of how DHS has worked with our community partners to continually improve.
All Hands on a Remote Deck: The Department of Human Services’ Response to COVID-19
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit Allegheny County, the Department of Human Services responded, streamlining processes that helped feed, educate, house, protect and serve thousands of clients and residents of the County.
Annual Human Services Case Competition for Local Graduate Students
Reports about DHS’s yearly case competition, which invites local graduate students on interdisciplinary teams to solve a problem in local government.
Free Tax Prep Coalition Completes 300 Tax Returns in 2019: Data Brief
The Allegheny County Department of Human Services (DHS) offers free tax preparation services at its downtown location for income-eligible County residents. This data brief provides a summary of DHS’s 2019 […]
Developing Predictive Risk Models to Support Child Maltreatment Hotline Screening Decisions
The Allegheny Family Screening Tool (AFST) is a predictive risk model designed to improve decision-making in Allegheny County’s child welfare system. The tool utilizes hundreds of data elements to predict […]
Progress Towards Building an Affirming and Supportive Child Welfare System: Findings from an Institutional Analysis
In July 2013, the Center for the Study of Social Policy (CSSP) and the Allegheny County Department of Human Services (DHS) launched a partnership to better support child welfare-involved youth […]
Ride-Hailing for Medical Transportation Clients Improves Experience and Efficiency
Allegheny County Medicaid recipients are entitled to free transportation assistance to their non-emergency medical appointments. Traditionally, this transportation has been provided by paratransit vehicles for those not able to utilize […]
Collaboration Helps Hundreds of Allegheny County Students in Foster Care Remain in Their Home Schools
When a child is placed in a foster home, the resulting move can also mean living in a new school district. Research has shown that unplanned school changes can lead […]