News

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.

News

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.

News

October 1, 2024

Campaign Aims to Reduce Disparities in SUD-Related Deaths in Allegheny County

An Allegheny County campaign has been launched to reduce the disparities in Substance Use Disorder (SUD) deaths as well as increase access to treatment and recovery services.

Learn More

Black residents in Allegheny County are more than three times more likely to die from drug overdoses than white residents, according to the Connect Protect Recover campaign. Additionally, Black and Brown communities in the county are disproportionately impacted by opioids and other drugs.

Connect Protect Recover launched this year to ensure that residents of these communities have an equal voice in which potential solutions should be funded by the county.

The campaign is asking for county residents to share their thoughts on how it should spend millions of dollars it will receive as part of the national Opioid Settlement Fund. It specifically seeks input on how to use the funds to:

Support new and existing resources to address harms related to opioid use
Help people with opioid addiction and related disorders
Address harms caused to those impacted by the opioid epidemic

The campaign hopes to hear from a broad and diverse range of community members, especially those in active addiction or with lived experience involving SUDs. Those interested can provide feedback on the campaign’s website.

The public comment period ends on Thursday, Oct. 31.

News

July 10, 2024

Allegheny County Parents and Family Members Invited to Take Early Intervention Survey

Parents and family members of children in Allegheny County are invited to participate in a survey regarding their experience with early intervention services in the county.

Learn More

The survey is intended for parents and family members whose children are currently receiving early intervention services or have received them in the past nine years.

Participants will be asked about their experience with the early intervention process, which services their children received, and information about the participant’s family.

Research from the survey, which takes about 10 to 15 minutes, will be used to learn about gaps within Allegheny County’s early intervention systems and services.

Those who participate will have the opportunity to enter a raffle for a chance to win a $200 gift card.

The survey is currently available online in English and Spanish. The deadline to participate in the survey has been extended to Aug. 19.

Contact hbccprojects@erikson.edu with any questions.

News

June 10, 2024

DHS Renews Early Learning Resource Center’s Contract for Operation

The state’s Department of Human Services has renewed its five-year contract with Allegheny County to operate the Early Learning Resource Center (ELRC).

Learn More

The ELRC’s renewal comes with $39 million in funding over five years to staff and operate the center. ELRC 5 supports quality child care and administers the publicly-funded child care subsidy.

During the first five years of the grant, DHS administered more than $200 million in child care subsidies. It also provided $120 million in stimulus funding to support Allegheny County’s child care provider network during the COVID-19 pandemic.

ELRCs assist families in locating child care, determine eligibility for the child care subsidy, and provide other resource and referral services in the community. The centers also provide coaching and support to the child care provider network to improve and sustain high quality.

Allegheny County was first awarded the contract for the ELRC Region 5 in 2018, which was the first time that the state opened it up for a bid. The county’s DHS partners with Trying Together and The Alliance for Infants and Toddlers to operate ELRC services.

“Access to quality child care makes such an important impact on both the parent and the enrolled child,” said Becky Czekaj-Dengler, ELRC Region 5’s director. “During our first five years, we saw significant increases in both the percentage of eligible children living in low-income households taking advantage of the child care subsidy as well as the percentage of those same children attending the highest-quality child care settings. We appreciate the opportunity to build on that success.”

Dalton added that DHS recognizes that a lack of affordable child care prevents parents and caregivers from finding and maintaining employment, accessing physical and behavioral health support, finding stable housing, and meeting basic needs. In response, DHS has increased access to crisis child care, hired resource navigators to connect families accessing child care to other resources in the county, and established a rapid response team to support child care providers and families with children at risk of being suspended or expelled from care.

To learn more about Early Learning Resource Center 5, visit the center’s website.

News

April 8, 2024

Apply for Home Lead Paint Removal

Allegheny County families who rent or own a home can apply for free home repairs involving lead paint.

Learn More

The Allegheny Lead-Safe Homes Program tests homes for lead and removes, replaces, and covers all areas in a home with damaged lead paint. Services include repairing and repainting chipped and peeling lead-painted surfaces as well as window and door repair or replacement and covering lead paint on the outside.

Lead is a common ingredient in household paint in homes built before 1978. No level of lead is safe as it is toxic, especially for young children. Even low levels of lead can cause IQ loss, behavioral problems, developmental delays, and other health issues.

What It Takes to Qualify

Allegheny County homeowners might qualify if they have children, ages five or younger, or a pregnant woman living with or regularly visiting them. Renters might qualify if their landlord is willing to participate and give priority to low-income families with young children for a period of three years.

Other qualifiers include whether a home was built before 1978 or if a household’s yearly pre-tax income falls below these limits:

Family size of 1 – $56,250
Family size of 2 – $64,250
Family size of 3 – $72,300
Family size of 4 – $80,300
Family size of 5 – $86,750
Family size of 6 – $93,150

How to Apply

Those interested should contact the Lead-Safe Homes Hotline by calling 412-227-5700, by visiting its website, or by emailing alleghenylead@actionhousing.org.

News

March 26, 2024

April 23 Primary Election Information and Key Dates

Voters in Pennsylvania will cast their votes in the 2024 primary election on Tuesday, April 23. There are a number of factors to keep in mind for the primary, and it’s important to have a primary election voting plan in place.

There’s still time to check your voter registration status and to review which options you have to cast your vote, whether it’s in person at your local polling place or by mail.

Below are a list of important dates, places, and required actions for the 2024 primary election.

Key Primary Election Dates

Mark your calendar for these key dates.

April 8, 2024 – Last day to register to vote before the April 23 election.
April 16, 2024 – Last day to apply for absentee or mail-in ballot. Applications must be received by 5 p.m. The mail-in-ballot is also available in Spanish.
April 23, 2024 – Last day to return mail-in or absentee ballots. Ballots must be received by 8 p.m.

Register to Vote

The deadline to register to vote is April 8, 2024. If you are not registered, register now by completing the Voter Registration Application.

If you are uncertain of your registration status, check it by using the Pennsylvania Department of State Voter Registration Status Tool.

Voter Registration Applications are also available in Traditional Chinese and Spanish.

Military and overseas voters should use the federal form when applying for an absentee ballot.

Online voter registration is open until 11:59 p.m. on April 8.

Find Your Polling Place

For those voting in person, locate your polling place on election day with the Pennsylvania Department of State’s Polling Place Search Tool.

Polls are open on election day from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Any person in line at 8 p.m. will still be allowed to vote.

Poll Workers

Allegheny County’s Elections Division is currently seeking and assigning poll workers.Those who participate can volunteer to serve as a judge, inspector, or clerk of election. Poll workers, also referred to as election officers, earn from $150 to $175 for the day. New poll workers also receive paid training.

Learn more about the Poll Worker Application process if you are interested in participating as a poll worker in the April 23 primary election.

First-Time Voter Information

First-time voters – including individuals who are voting for the first time at a polling place – will be asked to show an approved form of identification. All IDs must be valid and not expired. Accepted forms of identification include:

Approved forms of photo ID

PA driver’s license or ID card issued by PennDOT
ID issued by any other Commonwealth
ID issued by the U.S. Government
U.S. passport
U.S. Armed Forces ID
Student ID
Employee ID

Approved forms of non-photo ID (must include the name and address of the elector)

Voter’s identification and card issued by the voter registration commission
Non-photo ID issued by the Commonwealth
Non-photo issued by the U.S. Government
Firearm permit
Current utility bill
Current bank statement
Current paycheck
Government check

Visit the Pennsylvania Voter Services website for any voting information questions.

Learn More

If you have questions about your registration status, polling place, or anything relating to the April 23 election, visit the Allegheny County Elections website or contact the county election office at 412-350-4500.

Address

Allegheny County Elections Division
542 Forbes Ave., Suite 312
Pittsburgh, PA 15219-2953

Hours

Monday – Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

News

June 29, 2023

ELRC Region 5 Requesting Feedback on Evening Phone Hours

The Early Learning Resource Center (ELRC) Region 5 is asking Allegheny County families and child care providers to complete a brief survey on evening phone hour offerings.

ELRC Region 5 currently offers evening phone hours from 5 – 7 p.m. on Tuesdays. However, center leaders seek to find the best day and time to offer evening service to county families and child care providers. By completing the survey, respondents allow ELRC Region 5 to better serve the community.

The survey is just five questions. All responses are confidential and will not be shared.

Access and Take the Survey

Access and take the survey on SurveyMonkey.

Learn More

To learn more, visit the ELRC Region 5 website or call 1.888.340.3572 or 412.350.3577 for assistance.

News

June 28, 2023

Allegheny County Family Resource Map Highlights Supports for Locals

Did you know the Early Learning Resource Center (ELRC) Region 5 offers an interactive, online tool to help families navigate area programs and services?

The Allegheny County Family Resource Map provides caregivers of young children and other residents in Allegheny County the opportunity to locate available supports closest to them.

About the Allegheny County Family Resource Map

Launched in 2020, the map highlights the addresses, phone numbers, and websites of a variety of family supports, including those on:

aging
care and education
employment
family activities
food
health
housing
new parents
outdoors and recreation
transportation, and
wi-fi locations

Through the map, families can find countywide resources and services closest to them, such as senior community centers, family centers, early learning programs, public schools, WIC offices, parks, libraries, food pantries, diaper banks, clinics, public housing, Port Authority bus stops, and more.

Access the Map

Access the map here or visit the ELRC Region 5 website.

Learn More

For questions or to submit a map suggestion, please contact ELRC Region 5 at 412.350.3577 or elrc5@alleghenycounty.us.

News

May 31, 2023

Pittsburgh Digital Equity Coalition Hosting Community Feedback Meetings

The Pittsburgh Digital Equity Coalition and the City of Pittsburgh are hosting a series of community feedback meetings on their Allegheny County Digital Equity Plan and are inviting community members to come discuss their digital needs with community leaders.

Held at various locations throughout the summer, all residents of Allegheny County are encouraged to attend.

About Community Feedback Meetings

What are the community feedback meetings?

At community feedback meetings, community leaders will ask attendees for feedback on the draft Digital Equity Plan for Allegheny County and ask questions about digital technology in attendees lives.

Why are these meetings taking place?

The Pittsburgh Digital Equity Coalition needs to ensure that their Digital Equity Plan addresses residents’ digital needs. The coalition must understand what residents need so they can use any funding offered to give all residents equal access to digital technology and information.

Who participates in meetings?

Meetings will consist of Allegheny County residents and community leaders. Leaders involved in the Pittsburgh Digital Equity Coalition, the City of Pittsburgh, and Allegheny County will lead the meetings and collect feedback from residents.

When will the meetings take place?

Meetings will be held throughout the summer of 2023. To see a complete schedule of meetings, visit the City of Pittsburgh website.

Where will the meetings take place?

The coalition will host meetings in locations across Allegheny County. Additionally, they will host a number of virtual meetings.

To find a full list of meeting dates, times, locations, and registration links, visit the City of Pittsburgh website.

Learn More

To learn more, visit the City of Pittsburgh website.