July 15, 2025 Allegheny County DHS Document Provides Information on Variety of Crisis Services Those seeking mental health or drug and alcohol services in the Pittsburgh region have multiple options through the Allegheny County Department of Human Services. Learn More Allegheny County residents can find a wealth of information in a document from the department that lists everything from emergency contacts in the county to a variety of other services. Included in the document are: Emergency contacts – 24/7 resources for crisis support How to contact Allegheny County’s Department of Human Services Designated facilities for emergency psychiatric examinations Housing and shelter services Drug and alcohol service providers Mental health service providers Student assistance program (SAP) Early intervention services Aside from the department’s Crisis Services hotline (1-888-796-8226), the document lists a variety of other crisis support services, such as walk-in center information, mobile crisis teams, specialized teams for children and adolescents, short-term overnight services, suicide hotlines, and an after-hours drug and alcohol engagement center for substance use crises. The resources also describe how to handle situations involving emotionally distressed family members or friends, what to do if you or a loved one are a victim of a crime, or what a parent can do if they are having a hard time supporting their child. There is also information for those who are homeless or at-risk of becoming so, what to do if you suspect the abuse or neglect of a child or adult, and where to call if your home loses heat. For more information, check out Allegheny County Department of Human Services’ Where To Call: Directory of Mental Health & Drug and Alcohol Services.
May 15, 2025 Trying Together to Host Professional Development Opportunities in May and June Trying Together will host everything from EI Toolkit training to courses on CPR and First Aid as part of its professional development offerings in May and June. Upcoming Professional Development Opportunities Early Intervention Toolkit Training Session: In the session, participants will discover how to navigate the EI Toolkit to access a variety of resources for both parents and educators. Participants’ real-world needs will be used to identify resources from the toolkit to apply in their classroom settings. The course, which costs $20, will be held on Wednesday, May 21 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday, June 13 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. over Zoom. UnConference: Authentic Engagement in Out-of-School Time Programs: Trying Together will join APOST and the Allegheny Department of Human Services for from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 5 at Carnegie Mellon University’s Entertainment Technology Center. Participants will be able to attend expert-led sessions that focus on mindfulness techniques, opening the senses and immersing oneself in nature, behavior management, PBS programs that cover such topics as literacy and social and emotional wellness, and developing lasting relationships with students. Registration is open. Hybrid American Red Cross First Aid, Pediatric First Aid, CPR, and AED Training: This PQAS-certified course provides life-saving skills in alliance with The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)’s Best Practices for Workplace First-Aid Training Programs. The course will run from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 17. For future professional development opportunities, visit Trying Together’s events page.
October 18, 2024 Connect Protect Recover: Community Event The Connect Protect Recover campaign, which was launched by the Allegheny County Department of Human Services, will hold a community event in Braddock in late October. Learn More The campaign was created to address disparities in substance use disorders (SUD), including overdose deaths, in low-income communities of color in the county. The event is aimed to share messages, information, and support with underserved residents. It will include: A chance to hear from and speak with certified recovery specialists Free Narcan kits and training Connections to affordable medical care via local health clinics Self-care gifts and other giveaways The event will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Oct. 29 at Greater Valley Community Services, located at 300 Holland Ave. in Braddock.
May 6, 2024 Registration Open for UnConference: Launching School Age Summer Programming Join Trying Together, Allegheny Partners for Out-of-School Time (APOST), and Allegheny County Department of Human Services for “UnConference: Launching School Age Summer Programming.” Registration is now open for the event, which will be held on Thursday, June 6 at Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., participants will attend expert-led sessions that will equip them with skills needed to create safe and enriching summer experiences for school-aged children. Six PQAS and Act 48 credit hours will be available. Workshops The morning session is dedicated to American Red Cross Pediatric First Aid, CPR, and AED training. Participants will attend two afternoon sessions. Morning Session (9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.) Workshops include: Play Included: Building Friendships Through LEGO Play o Speaker: John Balash and Team from Carnegie Mellon University Maximizing the Mind-Body Connection in Summer Youth Programming Speaker: Danielle Thum, MS, RYT, UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh’s Family Care Connection Centers American Red Cross: First Aid/CPR/AED, Including Pediatric First Aid and CPR Playnotes Interactive Activity Afternoon Sessions (1:30 p.m. – 5 p.m.) Following lunch, participants will attend two rounds of workshops. Sessions will focus on how to create welcoming and culturally inclusive environments; strategies to guide and mentor children; and using LEGO play to collaborate, communicate, and problem solve. Workshops include: The Culturally Inclusive Check-In o Speaker: Ja’Sonta Roberts from Assemble Everyday Mentoring o Speaker: Sophia Duck from Mentoring Pittsburgh Play Included: Building Friendships Through LEGO Play o Speaker: John Balash and Team from Carnegie Mellon University When Helping Hurts: Understanding the Impact of Compassion Fatigue o Speaker: Sharice Nance, LCSW, CCTP Amplifying Youth Voice and Choice Speaker: Katherine Spinney, PCC, MT, MSW Maximizing the Mind-Body Connection in Summer Youth Programming Speaker: Danielle Thum, MS, RYT, UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh’s Family Care Connection Centers Supporting Youth From English Language Learning Backgrounds Speakers: Meg Booth and Jenna Baron from Alliance for Refugee Youth Support and Education More session details will be available soon. More Details Registration is now open for the conference. Tickets for the UnConference cost $25 and free parking will be available for participants at the conservatory. Lunch, which will be catered by Phipps, is included with registration. Those interested in attending must register by May 27. Registrants will be asked to choose their preferred workshops at a later date. Group discounts are not available. If you have questions about the UnConference, visit the event webpage or contact Paige Kizior at paige@tryingtogether.org.
