Independent Research and Reports
Progress Towards Building an Affirming and Supportive Child Welfare System: Findings from an Institutional Analysis
In July 2013, the Center for the Study of Social Policy (CSSP) and the Allegheny County Department of Human Services (DHS) launched a partnership to better support child welfare-involved youth achieve healthy sexual and identity development. This institutional analysis prepared by CSSP used data analysis, case reviews, and interviews to understand current experiences of LGBTQ+ ...
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Linking Data to Improve Human Services Delivery
How is the Allegheny County Department of Human Services (DHS) able to link data across programs and with providers, given privacy law restrictions? Erin Dalton, the Deputy Director for the Allegheny County DHS Office of Data Analysis, Research and Evaluation (DARE), and Brian Bell, a DARE supervisor and privacy officer, share their insights on the ...
Evaluation of the Allegheny County Jail Collaborative Reentry Programs
Prepared by: Urban Institute Click to read the full report....
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Transition Age Youth with Complex Needs Entering Adulthood
United Way of Allegheny County This report analyzes the numbers and needs of young adults with significant medical, intellectual, communication and/or behavioral challenges Click to read the full report....
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Human Services: Sustained and Coordinated Efforts Could Facilitate Data-Sharing While Protecting Privacy
U.S. Government Accountability Office The U.S. Government Accountability Office examined four innovative data sharing practices (including DHS’s) to determine (1) how selected states or localities have shared data across programs to improve the administration of human services, (2) challenges state and local human services agencies face in balancing privacy protections with greater data sharing, and ...
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Youth Using Behavioral Health Services: Making the Transition from the Child to Adult System
Addressing the specific needs of youth across multiple life domains as they transition from the children’s behavioral health treatment system to the adult treatment system is critically important. To help quantify these issues and contribute to discussions related to system interventions locally, Allegheny Health Choices, Inc. (AHCI) identified a cohort of youth who turned 17 between ...
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Practice Innovations in Child Welfare
American Public Human Services Association Click to read the full report....
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Effect of Mental Health Court on Arrests and Jail Days – A Multi-site Study
Northwestern University Click to read the full report....
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Asking Why – Reasserting the Role of Community Mental Health
Judge David L. Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law Click to read the full report....
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Framework For Collaboration: Integrating School and Human Services Data In Pittsburgh
OCD | Developments by the University of Pittsburgh Click to read the full report....
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How Are the Children? Inspiring Hope. Renewing Vision. Influencing Action. Casey Family Programs 2010 Annual Report
Casey Family Programs Click to read the full report....
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The Allegheny HealthChoices Program 1999-2009: Improving Access and Quality of Services through Collaboration, Fiscal Management and Quality Oversight
Allegheny HealthChoices, Inc. Click to read the full report....
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Fighting Hunger While Positively Impacting the Food System – Integrating SNAP Benefits at Pittsburgh Citiparks Farmers’ Markets
Heinz College, Carnegie Mellon University Click to read the full report....
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Strategies for Improving Homeless People’s Access to Mainstream Benefits and Services
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Click to read the full report....
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Advancing Data on Homelessness in Eleven Communities
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Special Needs Assistance Programs in the Office of Community Planning Development Click to read the full report....
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Educating Homeless Children in Allegheny County: An Evaluation of Families, Agencies, and Services
DHS, Duquesne University School of Education and the Homeless Children’s Education Fund Click to read the full report....
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Building an Interoperable Human Services System – How Allegheny County Transformed Systems, Services and Outcomes for Vulnerable Children and Families
Stewards of Change Click to read the full report....
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The State of Technology in Aging Services in Pennsylvania
Center for Aging Services Technology, American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging Click to read the full report....
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A Worthy Diversion
The Politics of Mental Illness, The American Prospect Special Report Click to read the full report....
Overview Report of Allegheny County Jail Collaborative Evaluation Findings
University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work, Center on Race and Social Problem Click to read the full report....
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Mental Health Courts – How special courts can serve justice and help mentally ill offenders
U.S. News and World Report Click to read the full report....
Time for Reform: Investing in Prevention, Keeping Children Safe At Home
Kids Are Waiting (KAW), the Pew Charitable Trusts Explores how the child welfare system in Allegheny County focuses on prevention services to successfully reduce the number of children in out-of-home placement. Click to read the full report....
Allegheny County Jail Collaborative Evaluation
University of Pittsburgh Click to read the full report....
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Behavioral Health Justice-Related Services and Beyond in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania
American Jails Magazine, November/December 2007 Click to read the full report....
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2007 KIDS COUNT Data Book
Annie E. Casey Foundation Discusses Allegheny County’s investment in intensive, community-and home-based prevention services for families at risk of child abuse and/neglect Click to read the full report....
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On the Move: Helping Young Adults with Serious Mental Health Needs Transition to Adulthood – Partnerships for Youth Transitions (PYT)
National Network on Youth Transition for Behavioral Health Examines the results of the Partnerships for Youth Transitions initiatives funded by SAMHSA in five communities across the country, including Allegheny County Click to read the full report. ...
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Economic Impact Study 2007 – Presentation – Katz Consulting Team
University of Pittsburgh Katz, Graduate School of Business An independent analysis of the economic impact of DHS in Allegheny County Click here for the Executive Summary. Click here for the presentation....
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Justice, Treatment, and Cost: An Evaluation of the Fiscal Impact of Allegheny County Mental Health Court
RAND Corporation Click to read the full report....
An Effective Child Welfare System and Evidence-based Practice for the Child Welfare System
National Family Preservation Network Discusses DHS’s use of innovative, evidence-based practices in the child welfare system to improve outcomes for children and families Click to read the full report....