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. Armstrong County Beaver County Butler County Fayette County Greene County Indiana County Lawrence County Washington County Westmoreland County
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. Learn More 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.
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. Learn More 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.
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.
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. Learn More 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.
February 11, 2025 Spots Available for Free Early Education Programs in Allegheny County Parents have the opportunity to enroll their children in free early education programs in Allegheny County. Head Start and Pre-K Counts Families who reside in Allegheny County and meet program guidelines can enroll their children in Head Start and Pre-K Counts programs. The programs provide preschool children, ages three to five, with quality, flexible programming that is designed to reinforce and respond to the strengths and needs of each individual child. Early Head Start services are available to pregnant women and families with children from birth to age three. There are available spots for three- to four-year-old children at the following locations: PPS Bethel Park – George Washington Elementary, 515 Clifton Road, Bethel Park, 15102 PPS Duquesne – Duquesne School, 300 Kennedy Avenue, Duquesne, PA 15110 PPS South Allegheny – South Allegheny Elementary School, 1707 Washington Boulevard, Port Vue, PA 15133 COTRAIC Churchview – 3198 Scheick Street Pgh, PA 15227 Learning to Learn Childcare Center- 119 Pennoak Drive Pgh, PA 15235 COTRAIC Dorseyville – 120 Charles Street Pgh, PA 15238 COTRAIC Hazelwood – 4900 2nd Avenue Pgh, PA 15207 To enroll in PPS programs, call Jeanette Casciato at 412-394-4594. For more information, check out this flyer. To enroll in COTRAIC programs, call Louna Ibrahim at 412-488-2750 or visit www.cotraic.org Pittsburgh Public Schools Pittsburgh Public Schools’ Early Childhood Program offers extended-day – and, in some cases, extended year – programming in community early childhood programs. The programs are similar to school-based early childhood classroom models. There are openings in the following locations: Arsenal (Lawrenceville) Chartiers (West End) Conroy (North Side) Crescent (Homewood) Langley (West End) Linden (Point Breeze) Miller (Hill District) Minadeo (Sq. Hill) Pittsburgh Classical Academy (West End) Peabody/Obama (East Liberty) Spring Garden (North Side) Weil (Hill District) Students who attend the programs receive individualized attention, social-emotional learning, and a free breakfast and lunch. Parents can also receive individualized support as well as opportunities to participate in a variety of training and become involved in the school community and Policy Council. For more information, contact the Early Childhood Department at 412-529-4291. For more information, check out this flyer.
Just Harvest Helps with SNAP, Tax Prep, and Other Services Just Harvest helps those struggling with food security in Allegheny County as well as other free services. The organization aims to reduce hunger by boosting income and access to healthy food. Services Just Harvest offers a variety of services, including: SNAP: The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is a public benefit that can supplement a food budget. Just Harvest helps eligible families to apply for these benefits. Benefits case advocacy: Just Harvest helps those having trouble applying for or receiving food stamps, LIHEAP, or cash assistance (TANF) through the state’s Department of Human Services. Tax help: Just Harvest provides free IRS-certified tax preparation assistance to low-income families in Allegheny County. Fresh access: Just Harvest operates a kiosk at 20 area farmers markets and farm stands in the Pittsburgh area from May to November. Customers can shop with food stamps using their ACCESS/EBT card to purchase fresh produce, baked goods, meat, and dairy products. Fresh Corners: This healthy corner store initiative partners with local store owners in parts of Allegheny County that lack supermarkets. It provides affordable access to fresh, nutritious foods. More information on the services that Just Harvest provides can be found on this flier. For information on 2025 SNAP discounts, view this flier. And for general 2025 SNAP information, check out this flier.
February 10, 2025 United Way, Human Services Center Mon Valley Offering Free Tax Prep Services The United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania and the Human Services Center Mon Valley are offering free tax preparation services for qualifying families this tax season. To find answers for common tax season questions, view this flier in English and Spanish. United Way Internal Revenue Service (IRS)-certified volunteers will help households earning up to $65,000 per year to get the maximum possible refund. They will also help qualifying taxpayers to get an Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), which can help to pay down bills, fund a child’s education, or build savings. There will be no charge, no matter the size of the refund, for those assisted by the United Way. Free tax sites located in the region will serve Allegheny, Fayette, Greene, Washington, and Westmoreland counties. Those interested can schedule an appointment online or call 888-856-2773. Taxpayers can also file their own federal and state taxes for free online through United Way. Download this flier for more information and locations. Human Services Center Mon Valley The Human Services Center Mon Valley will offer free tax preparation from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays through April 9. Families with a total household income up to $65,000 or individuals up to $45,000 qualify for services. Appointments can be scheduled online or by calling 2-1-1. The center is located at 413 Penn Avenue in Turtle Creek. There will be free parking on site, and the center is located on the bus line. For more information about documents needed for tax preparation, download this flier.
December 2, 2024 Allegheny County Council to Vote on Proposed 2025 Budget Last week, the Allegheny County Budget and Finance Committee approved a budget with a 1.35 millage property tax increase rather than the proposed 2.2 mils, which would lead to significant cuts to the County Executive’s proposed budget. This budget will be discussed and voted on by the full council on December 3. What do these cuts mean? Of significant concern is a potential $23.2 million cut to the DHS budget which could greatly impact the children and families we serve and the child care sector. In order to leverage additional state funds and fully invest in critical human services in our region, the County needs to pass the County Executive’s proposed budget with the 2.2 mils property tax increase. These budget cuts could negatively impact children and families and their access to affordable, high-quality child care, as well as countless other important human services programming. What can you do? 1. Contact your council member by phone, email, or both and implore them to support a county budget that fully funds the Department of Human Services and does not leave any leveraged state monies on the table. See contact information below. 2. Request to speak at the December 3 council meeting to voice your support and urge approval of the full budget. Requests to comment must be submitted by 5 p.m. on December 2 by filling out the online form. If you do not wish to speak, you can still show your support by attending the meeting at the Allegheny County Courthouse (436 Grant Street, Pittsburgh, PA) on December 3. The meeting will be held on the 4th Floor in the Gold Room at 5 p.m. 3. Share with others how they too can urge their council members to support the full budget proposed by Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato. Find your council district Phone number: 412-350-6490 Allegheny Council District Council Member Email At Large Bethany Hallam Bethany.Hallam@alleghenycounty.us At Large Samuel DeMarco III Samuel.Demarco@alleghenycounty.us District 1 Jack Betkowski Jack.Betkowski@alleghenycounty.us District 2 Suzanne Filiaggi Suzanne.Filiaggi@alleghenycounty.us District 3 Anita Prizio Anita.Prizio@AlleghenyCounty.us District 4 Patrick Catena Patrick.Catena@alleghenycounty.us District 5 Dan Grzybek Daniel.Grzybek@alleghenycounty.us District 6 John F. Palmiere John.Palmiere@alleghenycounty.us District 7 Nicholas Futules Nicholas.Futules@alleghenycounty.us District 8 Michelle Naccarati-Chapkis Michelle.Chapkis@alleghenycounty.us District 9 Robert J. Macey Bob.Macey@alleghenycounty.us District 10 DeWitt Walton DeWitt.Walton@alleghenycounty.us District 11 Paul Klein Paul.Klein@alleghenycounty.us District 12 Robert Palmosina Robert.Palmosina@AlleghenyCounty.us District 13 David Bonaroti David.Bonaroti@alleghenycounty.us Chief of Staff Kenneth Varhola Kenneth.Varhola@alleghenycounty.us Learn More November 12, 2024- The proposed 2025 Allegheny County budget offers an incredible opportunity for our region’s children and families. We urge councilmembers to continue investments in child care and other critical human services that lift up families and enable them to thrive. The progress for young children, families, and our region’s economic growth depends on it. Allegheny County residents value giving children a strong start through accessible and affordable child care. Nearly 19,000 county residents shared their priorities through the All-In Community survey and made it clear that access and affordable child care (40%) and increased pay for child care workers (31%) matters. When the early learning sector struggles, there is a ripple effect. Our working families struggle, our businesses struggle, our local economy struggles. In a September survey from Start Strong PA, child care programs in Allegheny County reported 373 open positions, resulting in 128 closed classrooms. If those programs were fully staffed, 2,977 more children could be served. This is only a snapshot of about 20% of programs that responded across the county. Families in Allegheny County rely on child care and early learning programs. Child care providers are the workforce behind the workforce and necessary infrastructure for economic development and for Allegheny County to realize its full potential. We are grateful for the investments that Allegheny County has made in child care thus far. In January, the Allegheny County Executive directed an additional $500,000 to expand the Allegheny County Child Care Matters pilot program, which enabled additional families on a waiting list to receive subsidized child care. The Allegheny County Child Care Matters pilot program currently supports around 400 children. There is still more work to be done. The program has the potential to cover up to 15,000 children if fully funded. We support the proposed 2025 budget to invest in the services needed for children, families, and our communities to thrive. The impact of county investments will allow the county to unlock more state and federal funding and enable more children and families to have access to affordable, high-quality child care and other important human services programming. Resources Updates on Education and Workforce priorities for Allegheny County can be found here. You can find your county council district online. For more information, read the 2025 Budget Highlights for Allegheny County as well as the 2025 County Budget Toolkit.
October 25, 2024 Trying Together Invites Families to Attend Early Intervention Forums Trying Together is inviting parents and family members of young children in Allegheny County to open forums on Early Intervention. Learn More The forums will discuss recent findings relating to Early Intervention. They are aimed at Allegheny County families whose children are currently receiving Early Intervention or have received it in the past nine years. Families who attend will have the opportunity to share their reactions and experiences. The forums will be held on Zoom on two different dates: Nov. 7 at 12:30 p.m. and Nov. 12 at 6 p.m. Registration is required and now open for the Nov. 7 and Nov. 12 forums. All questions should be emailed to ashley@tryingtogether.org.
