What's working in Allegheny Pennsylvania

January 24, 2008

The Allegheny County Department of Human Services (DHS) adheres to the tenet that children are to be removed from their homes only if absolutely necessary. When a removal is being considered following an assessment, a pre-placement conference is held. This meeting includes, at a minimum, an Office of Children, Youth and Families (CYF) administrator, supervisor and caseworker. The team meets to help ensure that the maximum number of possible alternatives to placement have been explored before removing a child from his/her family. Removals occur only when it is determined that no combination of supports or services can assure a child’s safety. Families who need services to remain safely together receive intensive family preservation services which range from crisis intervention to in-home, community-based and after-care services designed to support families. Services range from parenting and life skills to familiarizing the family with community-based supports. In addition, the County provides financial assistance to help meet families’ needs—for food, to pay utility bills, or to meet emergencies. Additionally, since substance abuse is a major reason for families’ involvement with the child welfare system, the County utilizes the Pennsylvania Organization for Women in Early Recovery (P.O.W.E.R.) Connection to conduct comprehensive substance abuse assessments, referrals to treatment, service coordination, mentoring, relapse prevention, consultation, and follow-up care.

Allegheny County’s prevention efforts have resulted in a decline in the number of children in foster care. In January 1996, 3,318 children were in foster care; as of August 1, 2007, the foster care population was 2,402, a 28 percent decrease. More than 65 percent of the children that the Department serves remain at home with services for the entire time that they are involved with the agency. In addition, Allegheny County has seen children in foster care return home more quickly. For children with a goal of reunification, expediting family reunifications has reduced the average length of time that children spend in an out-of-home setting by 33 percent — from almost 21 months in January of 1997 to 14 months in August 2007. In 2006, 82 percent of children entering foster care were reunited with their families within 12 months.

“It’s imperative that the federal financing mechanisms for child welfare be overhauled if we are going to improve safety, permanency and well-being outcomes for children and families. States must have flexibility and relief from oppressive regulations in order to meet the intent of ASFA and the CFSR benchmarks. There must be accountability and incentives for performance rather than the current system of financial penalties which further reduces the state’s ability to meet the needs of vulnerable children.” MARC CHERNA, Director, Allegheny County Department of Human Services