Reports
Human Services Involvement of Home-Schooled and Cyber Charter School-Enrolled Students in Pittsburgh Public Schools
At the end of the 2011-2012 school year, about three percent of Pittsburgh Public School students were enrolled in a cyber charter school and less than one percent of Pittsburgh […]
Transition Age Youth with Complex Needs Entering Adulthood
United Way of Allegheny County This report analyzes the numbers and needs of young adults with significant medical, intellectual, communication and/or behavioral challenges Click to read the full report.
Improving Educational and Well Being Outcomes: August 2013 Update
In the third year of the agreement that allows the Pittsburgh Public Schools (PPS) and Department of Human Services (DHS) to integrate data, collaboration extended beyond DHS and local school […]
Brief Wraparound Residential Model and In-Community Stabilization Process: Description, Implementation and Future Plans
The Brief Wraparound Residential model emphasizes working with youth on what they need to be successful following their stay in residential care; that is, at home, in school and in […]
Improving Educational Outcomes for Child Welfare-Involved Youth: Allegheny County’s Implementation of the Child Welfare Education Screen
In response to federal, state and local priorities, DHS implemented the Pennsylvania General and Special Education/Disability Accommodation Screen (Education Screen) in partnership with provider agencies and local school districts. The […]
Assessing Allegheny County’s System of Care Initiative
Allegheny County’s System of Care Initiative consisted of three federal grants designed to improve the functioning of system-involved children and youth with serious emotional disturbances, and their families. The three […]
Gaps in School Achievement: Human Services Involvement in Clairton City Public Schools
In January 2012, DHS and the Clairton City School District signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to share student data. The partnership built on previous work to share data between […]
Human Services: Sustained and Coordinated Efforts Could Facilitate Data-Sharing While Protecting Privacy
U.S. Government Accountability Office The U.S. Government Accountability Office examined four innovative data sharing practices (including DHS’s) to determine (1) how selected states or localities have shared data across programs […]
Natural Supports: A Scan of Current Use and Future Opportunities
Natural supports are those family members, friends and community members who enhance our lives and support us in achieving our goals. The use of natural supports is becoming more common […]
Youth Using Behavioral Health Services: Making the Transition from the Child to Adult System
Addressing the specific needs of youth across multiple life domains as they transition from the children’s behavioral health treatment system to the adult treatment system is critically important. To help quantify […]
Your Culture is Valued Here: Lessons from the DHS Immigrants and Internationals Advisory Council
In 2007, DHS established an Immigrant and International Advisory Council, seeking to ensure that its services were culturally competent and accessible. Since that time, the Council is credited by many […]
I Hope I See You Somewhere Else: Allegheny County Jail’s Discharge Center Helps Ex-Offenders Leave on the Right Foot
This report provides an overview of the Allegheny County Jail’s Discharge Center. Click to read the full report.
Allegheny County DUI Alternative to Jail Program: System Collaboration Leads to Innovative Reform
This report provides a description of the DUI Alternative to Jail Program and its impact on the systems and individuals involved. Click to read the full report.
Family Group Decision Making: A Quantitative Analysis of the Impact on Out-of-Home Placement
Family Group Decision Making (FGDM), an intervention designed in New Zealand to improve safety and permanency for maltreated children, was implemented in Allegheny County in 1999. From 2001 through 2010, […]
From Almshouses to Excellence: A History of Child Welfare in Allegheny County
To commemorate 50 years during which Allegheny County government has been responsible for providing public child welfare services, DHS commissioned this historical overview of child welfare in the county. Click […]