Guidance, Communications and Planning

The Allegheny County Department of Human Services (DHS) is committed to staying connected with our partner organizations. We’ll share timely and accurate information about human services issues and look to you for information, inspiration and collaboration.

Join Our Provider Briefing Call

We will be hosting a call for DHS providers to discuss rapidly changing information and planning. Providers who would like to participate can do so using the following:

Call-In Line for the Provider Briefing

Click to Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 817 5127 0241

Or Call In (audio only)
+1-267-368-7515 (Toll)
Conference ID: 253 994 565#
Find a dial by location number

Fourth Thursday of the month, 3:00 pm EST (with exceptions for holidays)

  • October 27, 2022
  • November TBD
  • December TBD

For those who cannot make the call, we will post presentation materials and video recordings of the calls.

Please note: Information related to specific program areas can be found using the menu at the top of the page.

Allegheny County DHS

Ask a Doctor: Get your COVID-19 vaccination questions answered!

In February, DHS hosted informational sessions about COVID-19 vaccination with Dr. Rhonda Moore Johnson, former Senior Medical Director, Medical Management and Quality at Highmark Health. Learn more about Dr. Rhonda Moore Johnson. A video recording and notes from the sessions are below.

Ask a Doctor Q&A (February 16, 2021)

Ask a Doctor Q&A  (February 10, 2021)

Ask a Doctor Video Session | Ask a Doctor Q&A (February 9, 2021)

Vaccination Communication Best Practices (January 26, 2021)

Vaccination of Provider Staff (January 15, 2021)

Other

Allegheny County Vaccination Scheduling FAQs (January 26, 2021)

PA Department of Health COVID-19 Vaccine Overview for Phase 1A Healthcare Personnel Not Affiliated with a Hospital or Health System (January 20, 2021)

DHS Response

All Hands on a Remote Deck

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit Allegheny County, PA, the Department of Human Services (DHS) responded with a tireless focus on the needs of providers, staff and County residents. From establishing remote work policies to creating a mechanism for daily briefings for provider staff to providing internet capability for hundreds of families and children, DHS was able to streamline processes that helped feed, educate, house, protect and serve thousands of clients and residents of the County.

This report covers DHS’s early response to the pandemic, through June 2020. A subsequent report will provide an overview of later efforts, as the pandemic dragged on through the summer, fall and winter of 2020 and into 2021.

Guidance

Explanation of Illness Reporting for COVID-19 (January 14, 2021)

Allegheny County COVID-19 Data: Detailed Dashboard

McKeesport COVID-19 drive-up testing site (September 28, 2020)

Download Flyer

  • To register and learn more: http://bit.ly/McKeesportCOVIDTestSite

  • Open 10 am to 4 pm Monday through Friday

  • Tests are fast, easy and free. No insurance or doctor’s referral or prescription needed

  • Testing available for anyone aged 3 and up who meets the testing eligibility. No one will be turned away

  • These tests are great for young and school-aged children. They don’t hurt but might tickle a little. Older children can administer the test themselves. Parents or guardians can help younger children

  • Appointments can be scheduled online and by phone

  • Online next-day appointment are accepted Sunday through Thursday. Information is available here: http://bit.ly/McKeesportCOVIDTestSite

  • To make an appointment by phone call 412-209-2262 (Hours are Monday-Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm). Monday appointments can be scheduled on Friday over the phone.

  • Same-day appointments may also be made by phone, when available

  • A person meeting at least one of the following criteria is eligible for testing:

    • Have symptoms of COVID-19

    • Have been in contact with someone that has COVID-19

    • Work in a nursing home or long-term care facility

    • Are a critical infrastructure worker, health care worker, or first responder

    • Are a high-risk patient and have recently attended a gathering of 10 or more people

    • Live in a shelter or single room occupancy.

Staff COVID-19 Diagnosis Guidance (August 12, 2020)

United Way Expanded Check-In Program for Providers (July 23, 2020)

Communication Protocol for COVID-19 Cases in DHS-Contracted Congregate and Residential Settings (January 28, 2022)

Guidance for DHS Providers Conducting In-Person Business Operations During COVID-19 (June 1, 2020)

Safe Haven Hotel and Family Healing Center Referral Process (January 28, 2022)

Safe Haven High Vulnerability Prioritization, (January 28, 2022)

Strategies to Support Clients During the COVID-19 Restrictions (June 1, 2020)

Guidance for Behavioral Health Residentially Based Care/Services, Youth Congregate Care, Emergency Shelters and other Housing Providers (April 13, 2020)

This set of documents was adapted from a document created by the New York State Office of Mental Health to provide guidance to various congregate, SRO, treatment and supportive housing providers. It also draws on guidance published by the NYC Health Department for Congregate Settings and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).   The content in these documents is based on the best information currently available and tailored to Allegheny County Department of Human Services’ (DHS) COVID-19 response plans. Visit the Allegheny County Health Department website, Pennsylvania Department of Health website and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website.

View General Guidelines or select from the following documents for specific guidance about:

Guidance Related to Lost Revenue and Uncovered Expenses (April 9, 2020)

Guidelines for Reporting COVID-19 Illness or Exposure - Clients (April 1, 2020)

Guidelines for Reporting COVID-19 Illness of Exposure - Staff (April 1, 2020)

Operations

Bactronix Request Form

Cleaning Services Request Form

  • DHS is partnering with ServiceMaster to provide cleaning/sanitation services when someone who has or was exposed to COVID-19 was in the building.

Free COVID-19 Testing Available at Community Health Clinics in Allegheny County (May 26, 2020)

Neighborland Survey (May 8, 2020)

COVID-19 Testing Locations in Allegheny County (May 3, 2020)

Temporary Health and Human Service Worker Platform (May 1, 2020)

  • DHS has developed a platform to connect providers to temporary workers in the event that full-time personnel is unavailable due to an emergency. Check Employment and Financial Assistance for information about training your Human Resources staff.

Supply Request Form: Global Links COVID-19 Southwest PA Request for Materials (April 22, 2020)

  • DHS is now partnering with Global Links for supply requests. Please see the Food and Supplies page for specifics

Operational Changes Tracker (April 15, 2020)

Tracking COVID-19 Provider Expenses Presentation (April 14, 2020)

Provider Exemption Letter (March 24, 2020)

  • This letter indicates that your agency is deemed an essential provider in support of the Allegheny County Department of Human Services. Please keep a copy of this letter available at your offices and share it with staff electronically so they can present it should they be stopped while driving.

Briefing Presentations

Provider Briefing Presentation (October 27, 2022)

Provider Briefing Presentation (August 25, 2022)

Provider Briefing Presentation (June 23, 2022)

Provider Briefing Presentation (May 26, 2022)

Provider Briefing Presentation (April 29, 2022)

Provider Briefing Presentation (March 25, 2022)

View Archived Presentations

Audio of Briefings

Provider Briefing Audio (October 27, 2022)

Provider Briefing Audio (August 25, 2022)

Provider Briefing Audio (June 23, 2022)

Provider Briefing Audio (April 29, 2022)

Provider Briefing Audio (March 25, 2022)

View Archived Audio

Notes from Briefings

View Archived Notes

Audio of Foundations Briefings

COVID-19 Foundations Briefings Audio
Includes briefings for the following dates:
May 28, 2020
May 21, 2020
May 18, 2020

An up-to-date listing of all frequently asked questions are located on our COVID-19 FAQs page.

Equity and Inclusion

Allegheny County DHS Equity and Inclusion Community Listening Sessions (May 4, 2020)

Casa San Jose - Latino Resources and Welcome Center 

Cultural Orientation Resource Exchange (CORE) Resettlement Support Center

Immigrant Services and Connections

Resources for Non-English Speakers

Arabic

Chinese

Nepalese

Russian

Spanish

Swahili

For resources in other languages, please contact Adriana.Sanchez-Solis@AlleghenyCounty.US.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Resources in Languages Other than English

Literacy Pittsburgh YouTube Channel - Resources for Non-English Speakers 

Intimate Partner Violence

Centers and Shelters

Resources

LGBTQ Resources

Hugh Lane Wellness Foundation

Veterans

Violence Prevention

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