department-of-human-services
Changes to SNAP income thresholds will expand eligibility for benefits, Wolf admin says
Beginning on Oct. 1, Pennsylvania will increase the income threshold for SNAP applicants to 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines (FPIG), the Department of Human Services said, adding that “more than 420,000 additional Pennsylvanians in more than 174,000 households will be newly eligible for SNAP” as a result of the change.
‘Heartbroken and horrified’: state officials, advocates discuss abortion access in Pa.
As more than a dozen states have moved to ban or restrict access to abortion care following the U.S. Supreme Court’s June 24 decision overturning Roe v. Wade, Goulet said that it's important that Americans talk about what it is like to experience pregnancy in the U.S.
Wolf admin. celebrates launch of 988 helpline, says there’s more work to be done
In Pennsylvania, 988 will connect callers and texters to one of the commonwealth’s 13 crisis call centers for support. In communities where mobile crisis mental health teams are available, the call centers can dispatch those teams to “provide on-site support and interventions,” according to DHS.
Attorneys for Equity Forward, Real Alternatives make their arguments in court over open records
“This is not DHS’s money,” Voss, of Philadelphia-based Kleinbard LLC, told the court, noting that service providers are free to use state grant funding however they please, including by giving it back to Real Alternatives, if they choose.
Health care providers, state officials tout new initiatives to combat rise in maternal mortality
In Pennsylvania, pregnancy-related deaths grew by more than 21 percent in the five years between 2013 and 2018, officials said.
Pa. human services, corrections departments launch doula program for incarcerated mothers
SCI-Muncy and SCI-Cambridge Springs, both all-female facilities, can hold an average of seven to eight pregnant people at any given time, a Department of Corrections spokesperson said.
DHS unveils plan for Pa. American Rescue Plan dollars | Five for the Weekend
Happy weekend, all. The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services on Thursday shared the highlights of its spending plan for approximately $1.2 billion federal funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). “We have an unprecedented opportunity with this federal funding to support those who have been supporting individuals and families in our communities throughout the pandemic,” acting DHS Secretary Meg Snead said […]
Ten years after Sandusky case, more work needed to protect Pa.’s kids, advocate says
In 2017, Pennsylvania received more child abuse reports than any other year on record, according to state data
New state online tool aims to ID, address health inequities across Pa.
The tool, an interactive data dashboard known as PA HEAT or the Pennsylvania Health Equity Analysis Tool, aims to give providers, community organizations and the public the opportunity to address health equity concerns in their communities.
As federal eviction moratorium ends, state officials tell Pennsylvanians to apply for rental assistance
Pa. received approximately $569 million in federal funds to assist renters, landlords and utility companies affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
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.