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Tag: PA Department of Human Services

News

January 20, 2026

DHS Announces Request for Application for Children’s Trust Fund Grants

Pennsylvania’s Department of Human Services (DHS) has announced a Request for Application (RFA) for the Children’s Trust Fund (CTF) grants.

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The CTF’s board has identified the following funding priorities to be explored by communities as they seek to create or grow community-based primary and secondary child abuse and neglect prevention programs and projects:

  • Fostering innovation
  • Well-rooted evidence-based services
  • Emerging evidence-based

Any community-based organization located and operating in Pennsylvania that provides direct services for children or direct provision of services for child abuse and neglect prevention that meets the criteria set forth in the RFA is eligible to apply for a CTF grant.

The CTB board funds grantees that are part of a collaborative community-driven approach that directly engages youth, parents, and families. As required by state law, eligible entities have to demonstrate consultation with the county child welfare agency.

The application deadline for the grants is Thursday, February 5. More information on the grants is available online. 

News

September 4, 2025

SNAP Recipients Must Take Action to Ensure They Don’t Lose Benefits in December

Recipients that fail to take action to secure their SNAP benefits could lose them in December following federal changes to the benefits that have recently taken effect.

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As of Sept. 1, most adults on SNAP are required to work at least 20 hours per week or qualify for an exemption. People who do not properly document that they meet these conditions can only receive three months of benefits over a three-year period, meaning they would run out in December.

SNAP recipients must take the following actions:

  • Complete the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services’ (DHS) screening form checklist that was mailed to recipients by the DHS. The checklist can also be found online.
  • If health limits their work, have a doctor or therapist sign a medical exemption form.
  • Return the screening form and proof to the County Assistance Office, which is operated at the state level by the DHS.

Details about who needs to take action and when can be found on the DHS’ website.

For Providers

To ensure that people in your network are aware of these updates, share this flyer from the Housing Stabilization Center that summarizes key action items and includes quick reference phone numbers.

News

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.

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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.

News

August 20, 2024

Pennsylvania to Discontinue PA Position Statements for Environment Rating Scales

As of Aug. 1, the state has discontinued the use of PA Position Statements for the Environmental Rating Scale (ERS) and School-Age Environment Rating Scale (SACERS).

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The sunsetting of the scales was part of an effort to simplify guidance and strengthen consistent use of program observation instruments for continuous quality improvement.

Programs may continue to use ERS, third editions, and SACERS-U as a quality assessment tool without the position statements.

State Department of Human Services regulations are the foundation of all quality work and compliance is required for all certified programs.

If variance occurs between ERS quality expectations and PA DHS Certification regulations, programs must ensure that regulations are met. Programs utilizing the most updated ERS or SACERS are encouraged to review PA DHS Certification regulations around the following to ensure compliance with regulations:

  • Use of hand sanitizer
  • Handling of soiled diapers
  • Placement of nap equipment
  • Mandated Reporter training and policies
  • First Aid training

ERS and SACERS

ERS focuses on the typical daily experiences of children in early childhood and school-age settings. The assessment considers how teacher engagement, the spaces and equipment used by the children, accessible play materials, and children’s activities combine to enhance learning. It includes a variety of factors, including indoor and outdoor space and furnishings as well as supports for parents and staff, and personal care routines, including health and safety practices.

SACERS is a tool used to evaluate group-care programs for children, ages 5 to 12. It consists of 49 items that are organized into seven subscales. Items include everything from space and furnishings to health and safety.

More information on Program Quality Assessment can be found on The Pennsylvania Key website.