January 13, 2026 DHS Online Screening Tool Helps SNAP Recipients Navigate New Rules Pennsylvania’s Department of Human Services (DHS) has launched a new online screening tool to help Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients and applicants navigate new requirements to access benefits. Learn More New federal rules may require some SNAP recipients and applicants to meet and report work requirements – such as working, volunteering, or participating in education or training for at least 20 hours per week. To help determine if these requirements apply, the DHS has created a quick online screening tool. By answering a few “yes” or “no” questions, users can see whether they need to meet the requirements, may qualify for an exemption, or should report current activities to their caseworker. The tool is informational and not a final eligibility decision, but it can help SNAP recipients understand next steps and prepare for conversations with their caseworker. For any questions about reporting work or activities, SNAP recipients should contact their County Assistance Office or call 877-395-8930.
October 20, 2025 SNAP Benefits Will Not Be Paid to Recipients in November Due to Federal Shutdown PA DHS announced that PA SNAP recipients will not receive benefits that were scheduled to be paid in November due to the ongoing federal government shutdown. As a result, more than 160,000 people in Allegheny County will not receive payments, of which more than 50,000 are children. Read more for county food agencies and resources. Learn More On its website, the state Department of Human Services (DHS) provided an update on October 17 that SNAP benefits cannot be paid in November as a result of the failure to pass a federal budget that caused the shutdown. Benefits will not be paid until the shutdown ends and funds are released to the state, according to the DHS. SNAP recipients will be notified when payments can resume. The department provided links to two resources for those in need of immediate food assistance – PA Navigate and Feeding Pennsylvania – or recommended calling 211. Those receiving SNAP benefits should continue to complete renewals and report changes to income, contact information, or the number of people living in the household. State offices and phone lines remain open and SNAP recipients can still visit and call state offices for help. Additionally, changes mandated by the federal government regarding SNAP benefits will also take effect on Monday, November 1. To keep or become eligible for benefits, people will have to meet work requirements that include working, volunteering, or participating in an education or training program for at least 20 hours per week and report to the DHS that they are meeting these work requirements. Residents in the Pittsburgh region who are in need of immediate food assistance can access the following resources: Call 211 or text your ZIP code to 898-211 PA Navigate Feeding Pennsylvania Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh United Way helpline East End Cooperative Ministry Just Harvest Pittsburgh Community Services, Inc. Resources in neighboring counties include: Indiana County Community Action Agency pantry locations (Indiana) Westmoreland Food Bank (Westmoreland) Westmoreland County food assistance (Westmoreland) Food Helpers of Washington County (Washington) Families Matter Food Pantry (Beaver) Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank: Beaver Falls (Beaver) Butler County Food Cupboards (Butler) The Lighthouse Foundation (Butler) Lawrence County Assistance Office (Lawrence) Fayette County Community Action Agency pantry locations (Fayette) Corner Cupboard Foodbank (Greene) Armstrong County Community Action Agency pantry locations (Armstrong) Those seeking assistance while SNAP benefits are not being paid out should also view lists of Pittsburgh food resources and mutual aid distribution as well as learn about the Pittsburgh Police’s Thanksgiving dinner distribution.
December 20, 2024 OCDEL Announces Update to Health and Safety Pre-Service Training and PD Requirements The Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) has announced updates to health and safety pre-service training and professional development requirements. Learn More The announcement provides a new two-part Health and Safety Training that must be completed by all child care providers hired on or after January 1, 2025 who have not previously completed an acceptable health and safety training. This announcement replaces Announcements C-22-02, relating to Updates to Health and Safety Training and Professional Development Requirements, and C-22-06, relating to Updated Health and Safety Pre-Service and One-Hour Training. Both parts of the new health and safety training will be available in Spanish. More Details The update applies to all DHS certified child care facilities, early learning resource centers, and OCDEL and Early Learning staff. All current child care staff who completed the following Health and Safety Pre-Service training modules currently meet this training requirement and will not need to take the new health and safety training: Get Started with Center-Based Care – Revised 2022/Get Started with Home-Based Care – Revised 2022 (10 hours) Pennsylvania Health and Safety Update (1 hour), and any of the following courses: Health and Safety Basics: Requirements for Certification (6 hours), Get Started with Center-Based Care: Building Blocks for Quality (10 hours), Get Started with Home-Based Care: Building Blocks for Quality (10 hours) The last day to enroll in Get Started with Center-Based Care – Revised 2022/ Get Started with Home-Based Care – Revised 2022 will be December 31. After this date, individuals who enrolled in the course prior to the deadline will have until March 31 to complete the course, as it will no longer be available after that date. Next Steps All DHS certified child care providers must: Develop, communicate, and implement policies and procedures to adhere to regulations regarding professional development in health and safety topics Ensure all staff have completed and documented pre-service trainings within 90 days of employment and prior to caring for children unsupervised Ensure all staff have completed and documented updated Pediatric First Aid and CPR training and Mandated Reporter training prior to expiration For all staff, appropriate documentation and verification of pre-service and ongoing professional development training of all child care staff is retained in the facility person’s file or maintained in an electronic PD Registry For information, read the announcement on the Pennsylvania Key website.
November 8, 2024 Reminder: New Civil Rights Compliance Form Required for Submitting Licensing Applications and Renewals Pennsylvania’s Department of Human Services’ (DHS) Bureau of Equal Opportunity (BEO) is reminding certified child care providers to take immediate action for compliance regarding anti-discrimination laws and regulations by using a new Civil Rights Compliance form. Learn More Providers must use the new form when submitting a new licensing application or renewing an existing one, according to Pennsylvania’s Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL). The new forms and process went into effect on Oct. 1. Prospective child care providers seeking a new license will utilize the Civil Rights Compliance (CRC) form (HS 2126 9/24). The prior form (HS 2126 8/22) is now obsolete. For licensing renewals, a licensee must also now submit the new CRC Renewal form. The prior attestation form (HS 2125 8/22) is obsolete. The renewal notice will still be sent out 130 days prior to expiration. More Details The BEO develops, implements, and monitors policies and programs for DHS as directed by the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Titles VI and VII, and other federal and state anti-discrimination laws, regulations, and policies. The DHS Civil Rights Compliance Forms and process for the department’s licensed providers and applicants have been updated to reflect new and updated anti-discrimination laws that went into effect in 2023. Visit the Pennsylvania Key’s website for more details or to access the form.
July 12, 2023 DHS Requests Feedback on Corrective Action Process Resources The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) is requesting feedback from child care providers on recently developed corrective action process (CAP) resources through a new survey. About Corrective Action Process Resources & CAP Resources Survey In recognizing the importance of corrective action processes in human services licensing, DHS released its, “Developing a Plan of Correction,” webinar in 2019. That same year, they released a corresponding, “Plan of Correction Quick Reference Guide,” (available as a PowerPoint presentation and PDF). The webinar aimed to assist providers with the successful development and implementation of acceptable plans of correction. The guide, consequently, was issued as a tool to assist providers with this process. Now the department seeks to understand the efficacy of these tools. Survey results will provide needed insight and help determine additionally needed resources. Access and Take the Survey Utilize the following link to access and take the survey: Corrective Action Process Resources Survey The survey closes Wednesday, July 26. DHS must receive all responses on or before that date. Learn More To learn more, visit the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) webpage. Source Trying Together took the information in this post directly from the Department of Human Services announcement. Some text may have been added, paraphrased, or adapted for readability and comprehension. Related Content & Resources PA DHS Accepting Applications for Children’s Trust Fund Grants State Budget Fails to Significantly Invest in Early Care and Education Amid Historic Labor Shortage New Nationwide Report Ranks Pennsylvania 22nd in Child Well-Being ELRC Region 5 Requesting Feedback from Families on Evening Phone Hours OCDEL Releases 2022 Market Rate Survey Report OCDEL Extends Deadline to Order Two Free Carbon Monoxide Detectors
State Departments Extend Insurance Survey Deadline, Add Spanish Option The Pennsylvania Insurance Department (PID) and the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) have extended the deadline for child care providers to complete their survey on health insurance in the child care industry. Entitled, “Child Care Liability Insurance Survey,” the questionnaire is aimed at improving state understanding of the insurance market, and will now close on Friday, August 4. (Trying Together updated this article on Tuesday, July 11, 2023 to reflect the extended deadline and addition of the Spanish survey option). About the Child Care Liability Insurance Survey PID and DHS have become aware of difficulties child care providers now face in securing health insurance for themselves and their employees, given the rising cost of care. Though PID previously sent out a similar survey, the limited response inhibited the department’s ability to fully understand the scope of the insurance market. Because of this, they have partnered with DHS to release the Child Care Liability Insurance Survey. This survey will help PID and DHS understand availability and affordability of insurance and assist in determining next steps. Responses are confidential. Also, DIP and DHS will only share general, aggregated results. Access and Take the Survey Utilize the links below to access and take the survey: Child Care Liability Insurance Survey (English) Child Care Liability Insurance Survey (Spanish) The survey closes on Friday, August 4. Please complete the survey on or before that date. Learn More To learn more, visit the Pennsylvania Key website. Please contact Caolinn Martin at caolmartin@pa.gov or Jameekia Barnett at jamebarnet@pa.gov with questions.
July 7, 2023 PA DHS Accepting Applications for Children’s Trust Fund Grants The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) is accepting applications for the Children’s Trust Fund (CTF) grants to promote primary and secondary child abuse and neglect prevention programs in community-based settings in order to address child and family well-being and prevent abuse and neglect of children in the Commonwealth. The maximum CTF grant award is $50,000 per year. About the Children’s Trust Fund Grants The mission of the Pennsylvania Children’s Trust Fund (CTF) is to prevent child abuse and neglect in Pennsylvania. To do this, the CTF Board of Directors funds community-based primary and secondary prevention programs that support families. The CTF was established in December 1988 by Act 1988-151. It operates under the administration of the CTF Board and is supported by the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL), a dual deputate of the Department of Human Services (DHS) the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE). Funds for the CTF are generated from a $10 surcharge on all applications for marriage licenses and divorce complaints. These surcharges are paid into a special non-lapsing fund. Interest, donations and federal funds also contribute to the CTF. The CTF is dedicated to funding community-based programs to prevent child abuse and neglect. Since its inception, the CTF has invested more than $37 million through 295 grants. See the list of current grantees. The CTF also supports the work of the Pennsylvania Strengthening Families Leadership Team. How to Apply Application details and forms are available at the eMarketPlace website. Each Applicant must submit one complete copy of the Submittal via email to ra-pwrfaquestions@pa.gov. The subject line of the email must indicate “RFA 13-23 Application”. Applications are due by 10 a.m. on July 31, 2023. Please refer to the eMarketplace listing for any changes regarding the deadline. Organizations can view the bid online. Awarded contracts are posted to eMarketplace after they become fully executed. Questions? If you have a question, send an email to Robin Lease at RAPWRFAQUESTIONS@PA.GOV. All emails should include the subject line “RFA #13-23 Question” and must be submitted by July 14, 2023 at 10 a.m. Written answers will be posted on the eMarketPlace website on July 21, 2023.
June 13, 2023 Air Quality Tips and Training Available for Families and Educators To better protect adults and children during air quality alerts, the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) and Environmental Health Capacity (EHC) Program are offering tips and training to help families and children stay healthy. About Air Quality Dangers & Alerts Current weather patterns are pushing smoke from wildfires in eastern Canada into communities across the Commonwealth, increasing the average concentrations of fine particulate matter in the air. Air quality can affect your health, especially people who may be at greater risk, including: people with heart disease people with lung disease (including asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease [COPD]) older adults children and teenagers (because their lungs are still developing, and they breathe more air relative to their size) people who are pregnant people who work outdoors If you experience symptoms like trouble breathing or dizziness, you should seek medical attention. If you know a family member or neighbor who has one of the above conditions, remember to check in on them. Tips from DHS During air quality alerts, all Pennsylvanians should: avoid strenuous outdoor activities keep outdoor activities short consider moving physical activities indoors or rescheduling them Additionally, to help keep particle pollution lower indoors during air quality alerts: don’t use candles or smoke indoors keep windows and doors closed use an air filter in your home, if you have one clean or replace filters according to manufacturer recommendations make your own portable air cleaner, if you don’t have one (the EPA offers DIY information on how to do so) Training from the EHC Program The EHC Program invites child care professionals to participate in a short nano learning course on air quality. About the EHC Program The EHC Program is a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) funded program under the Division of Environmental Health Epidemiology (DEHE) with the Pennsylvania Department of Health. EHC seeks to provide outreach and education on topics related to children’s environmental health. About the Learning Course on Air Quality The nano learning course should take a few minutes minutes to complete and provides an overview of what the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Air Quality Index (AQI) is, why it is important, and how it can be included in your classroom plans and activities. After completing the training, please complete a survey to inform future outreach efforts to childcare providers. The survey is a total of four questions. If you have comments or questions, please do not hesitate to contact the EHC Program at dehe@pa.gov. Access the Learning Course on Air Quality Interested ECE educators can access the EHC Program learning course on air quality on YouTube. Resources to Support the Course Resources to support the learning course include: Air Quality Guide for Particle Pollution Air Quality Guide for Ozone Air Quality and Outdoor Activity Guidance for Schools What Color is Your Air Today? Activity Sheet Air Quality Activity Coloring Sheet Why is Coco Orange book Learn More Visit www.airnow.gov to find the latest air quality levels and recommendations for your location. To learn more, visit the Pennsylvania Key Tips or Pennsylvania Key Training webpages.
June 5, 2023 Allegheny County Shares Summer Safety Guidance The Allegheny County Department of Human Services (ACDHS) and Department of Health (ACDOH) have published a Summer Safety Guide and Video to help families implement protective practices in the coming months. About the Summer Safety Guide and Video Warmer, sunny days encourage adults and children to get out and enjoy their surroundings. The Summer Safety Guide and Video offer some simple tips that make summer more fun and safe. These resources include information on: basic safety car safety sun safety bug bites and stings safety on wheels (bikes, skateboards, in-line skates, motorcycles, etc.) play safety campfires, grills, and fireworks fire safety water safety open windows/doors chemical/poison safety Access the Summer Safety Guide and Video Access the Summer Safety Guide Access the Summer Safety Video Learn More To learn more, visit the ACDHS website.
May 12, 2022 DHS to Offer P-EBT Benefits for 2021-22 School Year The Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) helps families cover the cost of breakfasts and lunches their children would have been eligible to receive for free or at reduced price through the National School Lunch Program funding for meals missed while being out of school during the pandemic. The money on these cards can be used for food only. Once believed to be a short-term program, P-EBT has now transformed into a longer-term federal response to the national public health crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic. About P-EBT Benefits In April 2022, the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture approved Pennsylvania’s plan to provide P-EBT benefits to students for the 2021-22 school year. Beginning in mid to late June, eligible students will receive P-EBT benefits in several 10-day periods: the first stage will provide benefits for eligible students for the months of September 2021 through November 2021 the second stage will provide benefits for eligible students for the months of December 2021-February 2022 the third stage will provide benefits for eligible students for the months of March through May 2022 the final stage will provide benefits for eligible students for the months of June through August of 2022 The amount of benefits received for each child for each stage will vary based on the individual student’s circumstances. Benefits will be issued on existing EBT or P-EBT cards. Anyone who has not received P-EBT previously will get a card in the mail for each eligible child. The return address on the card’s envelope will be from Texas. Eligibility Children qualify for P-EBT if they receive meals through the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and missed those meals because they were absent from the classroom due to COVID-19. Children are eligible for NSLP if they have an approved free or reduced-price status from a household application, are directly certified by receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), or certain Medical Assistance benefits through the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS), or are enrolled in a Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) school. The PA Department of Human Services will work with schools to get the necessary information to determine which students are eligible. For more details, visit the PA Department of Human Services website.
