department-of-human-services

New state online tool aims to ID, address health inequities across Pa.

BY: - August 19, 2021

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

BY: - July 26, 2021

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

BY: - May 4, 2021

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

BY: - April 4, 2021

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

BY: - July 13, 2020

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

BY: - June 15, 2020

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

BY: - April 14, 2020

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

BY: - March 27, 2020

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

BY: - January 13, 2020

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

BY: - August 16, 2019

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

BY: - July 31, 2019

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

BY: - July 24, 2019

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.