department-of-human-services
New initiative aims to give Pennsylvanians with intellectual, development disabilities greater vaccines access
On a call with reporters Tuesday, state officials announced the partnership between Rite Aid pharmacies statewide and the Department of Human Services Office of Developmental Programs (ODP).
What’s in a name? Seven top state officials lead under ‘acting’ label; await Senate confirmation
In order to remove the “acting” label from their titles, the seven state officials will need to be confirmed by the state Senate by a two-thirds majority.
A look at the 2020-2021 stopgap budget: Health & Human Services | The Numbers Racket
This week, in part three of our look at the five-month budget plan, we’ll go deep on the changes being made to funding for the Department of Health and the Department of Human Services.
Another look at CARES Act spending in Pa.: How health and social programs benefit | The Numbers Racket
This week we look at CARES Act funding be distributed to the Department of Health, Human Services, Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency, property tax relief and Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency.
Pa.’s child abuse hotline is now run out of employees’ homes, but receiving far fewer tips than normal
The precipitous drop in call volume is consistent with the warnings that child abuse experts sounded to the Capital-Star last month, when they said that social distancing orders put in place by the Wolf administration would cut children off from teachers, day care providers, and other adults who are mandated by law to report suspected child abuse to the authorities.
Philly caseworkers take leave, DHS closes offices after COVID-19 diagnoses
This story was updated at 1:26 pm with additional information on the Elmwood office and 2:52 pm with additional information. Workers at two state Department of Human Services offices in Philadelphia who were ordered to report to work by Gov. Tom Wolf’s administration left their posts unmanned after learning of at least four COVID-19 cases […]
‘Everyone counts:’ Rally kicks off Pa’s 2020 census push
Second lady Gisele Fetterman and state agency heads gathered in the Capitol Rotunda on Monday to make sure that everyone is included in the upcoming census count.
State, union officials fear economic fallout from closure of centers serving Pennsylvanians with intellectual disabilities
The two state centers, White Haven in Luzerne County and Polk in Venango, will be gradually shut down over the next three years.
Wolf announces reforms to state regulation of child, adult care facilities
With an eye on improving conditions for vulnerable Pennsylvanians — everyone from children to the disabled and the elderly — Gov. Tom Wolf signed an executive order Wednesday to reform internal policies while seeking suggestions for further action by fall. Citing the “Kids for Cash” scandal — where two judges took millions in kickbacks from […]
How Pa. nonprofits are leveraging federal funds to get food stamp recipients into jobs
For every dollar one of these nonprofits spends training someone who receives food stamps, or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, they're eligible for a 50-cent reimbursement from the federal government.
House lawmakers aim to aid older foster children with free tuition, car insurance
Lawmakers in the state House said Tuesday they hope a package of bills now working its way through the chamber will help teenage foster children transition from young adulthood into maturity. “We have our own support networks in place, and we assume they’re in place for everyone,” House Majority Leader Bryan Cutler, R-Lancaster, said at […]
‘Welfare gerrymander’? Why food stamp work requirements are back on the table
As part of sweeping changes to the welfare system in the '90s, President Bill Clinton and Congress put a work requirement on food stamps for so-called able-bodied adults who don't have children.