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Tag: Allegheny County

Report: Most Caregivers of Allegheny County Afterschool Students Say Programs Offer STEM Learning

News

October 5, 2026

Report: Most Caregivers of Allegheny County Afterschool Students Say Programs Offer STEM Learning

A recent report by Allegheny Partners for Out-of-School Time (APOST) and the Afterschool Alliance found that 92% of caregivers of Allegheny County afterschool students said their child’s afterschool program offers STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) learning.

This number is up from 76% of caregivers who said the same thing in 2014. Additionally, 51% of those whose child’s program offers STEM reported that their child engages in STEM learning after school at least twice per week. However, nearly four in five Allegheny County children – or 92.451 children – whose parents want afterschool programs for them are not enrolled.

STEM Report

The report, Afterschool STEM Takes Off in Allegheny County, is based on survey responses from 30,515 U.S. households, with 456 households with 682 Allegheny County children screened.

Afterschool programs in the county are educating students on a variety of STEM topics, according to caregivers, including:

  • 89% said their child’s program offers engagement in math
  • 83% science
  • 81% engineering
  • 79% computer science
  • 78% tech

Five in six caregivers said afterschool programs help children to gain skills and interest in STEM, such as Tree Pittsburgh’s youth programs, which offer environmental education programming focused on educating youth and families about the benefits of trees in their communities.

Support for afterschool programs in Pennsylvania has increased through the Building Opportunity Through Out-of-School Time (BOOST) program. In 2024, the state invested $11.5 million in OST programs to 46 providers across the state, 10 of which were located in Allegheny County. The investment was renewed at $11.5 million in the 2025-26 state budget.

National Findings

In most respects, Allegheny County findings mirrored national survey findings, such as:

  • Increases in STEM in afterschool from 2014 to 2025 were seen in every state.
  • Children in families with low incomes are less likely to have multiple exposures to STEM in afterschool each week than those whose families have higher incomes.
  • Rural caregivers report fewer computer science and technology opportunities in afterschool.
  • Two in three parents with children in afterschool programs (65%) value STEM extremely or somewhat when selecting a program – but there are differences by race: Native American parents (73%), Black and Hispanic parents (70%), and Asian-American caregivers (68%) place greater importance on STEM in afterschool than White families (62%).
  • Caregivers of boys and girls report similar levels of access to STEM in their child’s afterschool program, but caregivers of girls prioritize computer science, technology, and engineering less than caregivers of boys.
  • Caregivers prioritize STEM, and specifically computer science, more as their children age.

“This study has really good news for Allegheny County,” said APOST Executive Director Karen Dreyer. “In an age when science and technology continue to shape and reshape our lives, we must invest in programs to support young people to learn, explore, and create in the STEM fields, so they gain the skills and experience needed to lead our communities into the future.”

One Step Closer to Paid Parental Leave in Allegheny County

News

September 29, 2026

One Step Closer to Paid Parental Leave in Allegheny County

Paid parental leave is moving forward. The Allegheny County Board of Health approved an updated paid parental leave program that would require some businesses in Allegheny County to provide paid leave for new parents, including birth, foster, or adoption. 

Following a highly engaged community process, the health board used more-than 1,400 public comments to make changes to the proposal. 

Updated from the initial proposal, this policy would apply to businesses with 15 or more employees and would require them to provide at least 12 weeks of paid leave. 

What’s next for paid parental leave?

On Tuesday, October 6, the policy will be introduced to the Allegheny County Council and sent to the Health committee for review.

Council members can’t make any changes to the policy – they will vote on it as is. 

We are expecting the committee to approve it and send it back to the full council for a final vote on Tuesday, October 20. To be passed by the Allegheny County Council, the proposed paid parental leave changes would need majority approval – or eight votes – before moving on to be signed into law by County Executive Sara Innamorato. 

Paid Parental Leave Makes a Difference: Healthy Babies, Thriving Families, Stronger Workforce

We are committed to supporting the adult caregivers in young children’s lives and we support the paid parental leave proposal in Allegheny County. A true continuum of care and support for families and babies begins with paid parental leave and continues with the availability of high-quality infant child care. We urge the Allegheny County Council to adopt the policy. 

Paid parental leave helps businesses keep good employees and gives parents the time they need to care for a new child without having to lose their job or leave the workforce to care for their child. It gives children a healthier start by allowing parents to be there for important early moments, medical needs, and everyday care, forming critical bonds that support children across their entire lifetime. 

When families are stronger and parents can stay connected to work, everyone benefits—from individual businesses to our communities and the economy as a whole. 

Let your city council member know you support paid parental leave by sending an email encouraging them to vote in support of the policy.

What does the proposal include?

Although the amount of leave went down to 12 weeks from the proposed 18 weeks, the change aligns with existing precedent offered by most states with a parental leave policy.

The proposal also clarifies that the county’s parental leave policy would run at the same time with the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), so employers would only be required to provide a maximum of 12 weeks of parental leave, and employees would receive job protection through FMLA and not have to take leave without being paid.

Businesses with less than 15 employees would be exempt, which aligns with the county’s proposed sick leave policy. This is designed to support small employers by exempting them from parental leave costs. However, it is recommended for small businesses to offer employees paid leave at a mutually-agreed range due to the cost of rehiring and the positive impacts on infant, maternal, familial, and community health.

Other elements of the proposal include:

  • Paid leave for parents with stillborn children.
  • Employees are eligible after 180 days (six months) of employment.
  • Employers would have up to one year before they have to comply with the policy once it’s signed into law, giving them time to strategize financially for the shift.
  • For part-time employees, an employer would not be responsible for a 40-hour-week pay rate; instead, the employer would pay an average similar to what they paid the employee in the six months prior to leave.
  • The proposed policy excludes seasonal or temporary employees and would require part-time workers to have worked at least 625 hours in the past six months to be eligible.

Our Continued Commitment to Child Care Providers

We acknowledge the unique operational and financial constraints that make implementing extended paid leave especially challenging for child care providers. As the next essential caregiving support following parental leave, we also continue to advocate at the local, state, and national level for all of the ways child care teachers and owners deserve to be supported. 

In our July 16 public comment to the Board of Health, we outlined a number of recommendations to support the child care sector. 

Read our full public comment on paid parental leave to learn more about our priorities and recommendations. 

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Allegheny County Climate Action Plan Open House

News

June 1, 2026

Allegheny County Climate Action Plan Open House

Allegheny County residents will get the chance to weigh in on the county’s first-ever Climate Action Plan (CAP) during an event on Thursday, June 4.

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The city’s Department of Sustainability will hold a free, family-friendly community open house during which attendees will be able to share their priorities for the plan, have a light dinner, and learn how feedback will help to guide future county programs and investments.

The event will run from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Department of Human Services Building at 1 Smithfield Street. Remarks will begin at 6 p.m.

Those interested in attending should RSVP now.

Caregivers Should Have These Items Ready for Kindergarten Registration Process

News

March 16, 2026

Caregivers Should Have These Items Ready for Kindergarten Registration Process

With kindergarten registration opening in some school districts around Allegheny County and its surrounding counties, there are several items that caregivers will want to start collecting to complete the process.

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Kindergarten registration is already open in sections of Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Armstrong, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Lawrence, Washington, and Westmoreland counties. 

In Allegheny County, several school districts will soon open registration – Allegheny Valley in March, North Allegheny in April, and Northgate School District will hold a kindergarten registration event in May. 

During registration, caregivers will want to make sure to bring the following documents when registering a child:

  • The child’s birth certificate
  • Proof of residency, such as a utility bill or copy of a lease
  • Vaccination records (the state’s Department of Health shares which ones your child needs)
  • Any forms required by the school district, such as an application or emergency contact list
  • There may be other documents required, so be sure to check with your school district.

Some schools or districts set aside specific dates to register for kindergarten, while others hold special events such as summer orientation for incoming students. To find your local school’s contact information or registration dates, visit Pennsylvania Promise for Children’s website.

For more information on registration, visit Trying Together’s Pre-K and Kindergarten Transition page.

How to Prepare and Register Children for Summer Camp

News

March 9, 2026

How to Prepare and Register Children for Summer Camp

With the ongoing snow and frigid temperatures, summer might still seem far away – but those looking to place children in summer camps should begin thinking about where to find spots for them.

Allegheny County Search Tool

Caregivers can find available spots for children at Allegheny County early learning, after school, summer camp, and virtual programs on Allegheny Child Care for Families’ website. The website – a collaboration between Trying Together and APOST – enables caregivers to explore programs based on location or children’s age and also includes virtual programs.

Providers regularly update information regarding available spots and whether they are accepting new families. As summer camp signup season approaches, providers should remember to update their profiles on the website. Caregivers can also create an account to save a list of their favorite child care providers.

How to Prepare Your Child for Summer Camp

While going away to summer camp can be exciting and provide a sense of independence for some children and young adults, it can also create anxiety for others.

The Child Mind Institute put together a list of resources regarding summer camp anxiety to help caregivers in easing children’s minds for when they will spend the night away from home.

In one article, the institute lists a variety of ways that caregivers can help children to overcome pre-camp anxiety – including letting them feel a sense of ownership over the experience, not trivializing their concerns or offering glib reassurances, reflecting on your own formative experiences away from home and sharing positive aspects, and not lingering at the bus stop or drop-off point.

In an article from New York Presbyterian on a similar topic, suggestions to help children get the most out of their summer camp experience include not promising to pick up a child as soon as they get homesick, doing a dry run by visiting the camp ahead of time, sending along a favorite stuffed animal, or suggesting they talk to a camp counselor about any challenges they have.

Allegheny County Summer Camp Options

In February, Kidsburgh released its annual list of local summer camps for children of all ages and interests. This year, among the 75 camps listed were:

  • August Wilson African American Cultural Center’s Hip Hop Camp
  • Pittsburgh Cultural Trust
  • Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy
  • Pittsburgh Musical Theater Conservatory
  • Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh
  • Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium
  • Shady Side Academy
  • Jewish Community Center
  • National Aviary
  • Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History
  • Pittsburgh Public Theater Summer Camps

In the Kidsburgh article, each summer camp listing is accompanied by information on the program and registration.

Programs listed in Allegheny Child Care for Families’ database include the Homewood-Brushton YMCA, Venture Outdoors, Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania, and the Sarah Heinz House Association, among others.

Summer Camp Options in Other Counties

There are a variety of options for summer camps in other nearby western Pennsylvania counties. These include:

Armstrong County

Beaver County

Butler County

Fayette County

Greene County

Indiana County

Lawrence County

Washington County

Westmoreland County

Celebrate Take Your Child to the Library Day by Getting a Library Card

News

February 3, 2026

Celebrate Take Your Child to the Library Day by Getting a Library Card

This coming Saturday, February 7, is Take Your Child to the Library Day, and there’s no better way to celebrate than to get a library card at your local library.

Learn More

Take Your Child to the Library Day is celebrated by thousands of libraries around the world. The concept for the day is for caregivers to bring children to the library to take part in free activities and to help them develop a love of reading.

Those visiting a Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh branch should visit the library’s website to see about activities taking place that day.

Getting a Carnegie Library Card

A library card for the Carnegie Library provides access to materials from 43 libraries around the county as well as allows cardholders to use library computers, and download and stream digital content from a phone or eReader.

Those interested in getting a card can do so by registering in person or online. Those who register in person should bring an acceptable form of photo ID. If your ID does not include your address or contact information, you should be ready to provide that information at that time. 

The following are acceptable forms of ID:

  • A driver’s license
  • Pennsylvania identification card
  • Other U.S. state’s driver’s license
  • Expired PA driver’s license, if accompanied by local address verification
  • Passport
  • State ID
  • Work ID
  • Military ID
  • Student ID
  • Work visa
  • Green card

Allegheny County residents, ages 18 and above, can register for a card online and receive full borrowing privileges for print and electronic materials. Children ages 13 and above can use the same form and receive a card allowing access to the library’s eResources.

Once you validate information through the online system, you will receive a card number, which can be converted into a scannable barcode using an app like Stocard.

For more information on how to obtain a Carnegie Library card, visit the library’s website.

Other Counties

For those seeking a library card in a county outside of Pittsburgh, below are the pages including information by county on how to obtain a card.

Allegheny County Announces New Out-of-School-Time Programs Dashboard

News

January 2, 2026

Allegheny County Announces New Out-of-School-Time Programs Dashboard

The Allegheny County Department of Children Initiatives (DCI) has created a new Out-of-School Time (OST) Programs Dashboard to explore the locations of OST programs in the county.

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The interactive tool, which was developed in partnership with RAND and made possible with funding from the McElhattan Foundation,  is intended to make data and information supporting children more available. 

The tool allows users to explore the locations of OST programs throughout Allegheny County and relate these to other features, such as schools, public transportation, youth population, and community needs.

Using the Tool

The tool’s filters are available using selectors on the website’s top right-hand corner that display programs based on certain features, such as their location on school property, program type, by community level of need, and/or municipality. 

The tool’s Select a School District Boundary feature helps to focus the map and display both OST programs and schools within the district’s boundary.

The map’s More Tools menu provides additional features that allow users to search the map by address, toggle feature layers, and change the basemap.

Map Popups show more information based on the selected layer – for example, OST Programs, Community Need Index, and Youth Population provide detailed, unique information when visualized in the Layers tool.

All filters can be reset by selecting the Reset Arrow on the bottom right that appears after a filter is applied. Selecting the reset button returns the dashboard to its default settings and position. 

To search for out-of-school-time programs in your community, check out the OST Programs Dashboard.

Allegheny County Seeking Poll Workers for May 20 Primary Election

News

May 5, 2025

Allegheny County Seeking Poll Workers for May 20 Primary Election

Allegheny County is looking for poll workers to assist in the primary election on Tuesday, May 20. 

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Poll workers earn anywhere from $150 to $175 for the day. New poll workers also receive paid training.

Also referred to as election officers, poll workers can serve in various roles on Election Day, including judge, inspector, or clerk of elections.

Poll workers must be comfortable with interacting with the public and keeping up to date with election changes. There is a high performance expectation on Election Day and well-trained poll workers play an important role in the success of elections.

To be a poll worker, one must:

  • Be a registered Allegheny County voter
  • Not hold, or within two months have held, any public office, appointment, or employment in or under the U.S. government, Pennsylvania, Allegheny County, or any city
  • Not be a candidate who is running for public office on the ballot in that district, except for judge or inspector of election
  • Perform the duties of the office in a nonpartisan manner

Those interested can register on Allegheny County’s website.

Allegheny County Youth Population Dashboard Live Demonstration

News

April 7, 2025

Allegheny County Youth Population Dashboard Live Demonstration

Allegheny County’s Department of Children Initiatives (DCI) will hold a live demonstration in April for an interactive, public dashboard that it has developed.

Learn More

The public tool allows users to export population data and view youth population by school district, municipality, and Census block group. During the demonstration, the dashboard’s team will review its functionality and be available for questions.

The demonstration will begin at 10 a.m. on Microsoft Teams on Friday, April 11.

Those interested in attending should complete a brief registration survey. Once it has been processed, registrants will receive a link to attend the meeting.

Just Harvest: SNAP Users Should Be Proactive in Protecting Benefits from Scams

News

February 17, 2025

Just Harvest: SNAP Users Should Be Proactive in Protecting Benefits from Scams

Just Harvest – an Allegheny County organization that addresses economic injustice through a focus on public policy and food access – is encouraging residents who use SNAP to be proactive in protecting their benefits. 

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The organization pointed out that Congress has failed to extend a provision that protects SNAP users from skimming, during which SNAP benefits are stolen off EBT cards at point-of-sale machines. As a result, any SNAP benefits stolen will no longer be replaced.

 Those whose benefits have been stolen should report the theft to their local County Assistance Office and request a new EBT card. Once they have obtained a new EBT card, they should routinely change their PIN number.

DHS Text Alert

Pennsylvania’s Department of Human Services has announced plans for an upcoming text alert that warns residents of recent nationwide increases of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) fraud. 

The department said the text alert would warn residents about incidents of card skimming. The text will come from the number 833-648-1964.

The department also warns that DHS text messages would never include:

  • Details about a person’s benefits, such as the amount of SNAP they are authorized to receive
  • A request for personal information
  • Links to unofficial sites; most texts will direct people to dhs.pa.gov, COMPASS, or a site that ends in .gov or .org.