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Press Contact Information

Phone: (717) 425-7606
Department of Human Services Website

Shapiro Administration Warns of Potential Phone Scam, Reminds Public of Safe Way to Apply for Assistance

09/22/2023
DHS informed Pennsylvanians of a potential phone call scam. DHS will never ask for information about any public assistance programs or personal financial information via unsolicited or random phone calls or texts.

ICYMI: “Governor Shapiro not only listened, but he also acted.”

09/19/2023
PennLive Editorial Board Lauds Governor’s Call to Action to Hear, Assist Pennsylvanians with Intellectual Disabilities, Families, and Caregivers

Shapiro Administration Recognizes Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, Discusses Multi-Agency Approach to Strengthen Mental Health Supports and Save Lives

09/18/2023
DHS and leaders from multiple state agencies and suicide prevention advocacy groups, joined together to recognize September as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.

Shapiro Administration, Community Partners Highlight Importance of Charitable Food Network, Necessity of Food Assistance Programs During Hunger Action Month  

09/14/2023
DHS and Agriculture visited Downtown Daily Bread to highlight the importance of food assistance programs and the charitable food network to help people facing food insecurity as well as how the Shapiro Administration is working to help Pennsylvanians meet this essential need.

ICYMI: New Op/Ed Calls Shapiro Administration’s Commitment to ID/A Community ‘A Beacon Of Hope’

09/14/2023
Advocates and members of the intellectual disability and autism community expressed their support for and appreciation of the announcement that DHS will begin updating the data used to set reimbursement rates for workers who provide HCBS.

Department of Human Services Releases New Research on Supporting People with Intellectual Disabilities, Autism

09/13/2023
DHS today released the latest issue of the Positive Approaches Journal, which aims to provide the most recent research and resources for people with mental health and behavioral challenges, intellectual disabilities, autism, and other developmental disabilities to live an everyday life.

Governor Shapiro Orders Immediate Review of Fee Schedule Rates for Providers of Services for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities, Autism

09/11/2023
The Shapiro Administration today announced that DHS will begin updating the data used to set rates for home and community-based services for Pennsylvanians with intellectual disabilities and autism – a necessary first step for greater support for this essential field and the Pennsylvanians who benefit from and rely on this care.

Shapiro Administration, Community Partners Keep Pennsylvanians Covered Amid Federal Changes to Medicaid Renewal Requirements

08/30/2023
DHS and Pennie® joined representatives from Neighborhood Health Centers of Lehigh Valley, the City of Allentown, and Lehigh County today for a roundtable discussion about how state and local partners are working together to support Pennsylvanians through federal changes to Medicaid and CHIP renewal requirements and keep them covered.

In Lancaster, Shapiro Administration and Pennie® Join Anti-Poverty Advocates to Discuss What Pennsylvanians Must Do to Stay Covered Amid Major Federal Changes to Medicaid

08/23/2023
DHS and Pennie joined representatives from Community Action Partnership today to highlight how the Shapiro Administration and community service centers are collaborating to support Pennsylvanians through federal changes to Medicaid and CHIP renewal requirements so they can complete their renewals.

Shapiro Administration Extends Deadline to Apply for Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program to Help Pennsylvanians Pay Utility Bills 

08/16/2023
Applications for LIHWAP will now remain open until Friday, August 18, 2023; the original deadline was August 11.

Shapiro Administration Announces Expansion of SNAP Eligibility for College Students Enrolled in Certain Employment and Training Programs

08/15/2023
DHS announced that a new flexibility in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will allow certain college students who meet eligibility requirements to receive SNAP benefits but who traditionally do not qualify because of their status as a student.

Department of Human Services Releases 2022 Child Protective Services Report, Encourages All Pennsylvanians to Report Child Abuse

08/14/2023
DHS released the 2022 Annual Child Protective Services Report, which provides statewide and county-level data on the efforts to protect and help children who were reported as victims of suspected abuse and neglect.

Department of Human Services Notifies Affected Pennsylvanians About Unauthorized Access to Child Care Works System

08/10/2023
The Department of Human Services is notifying affected Pennsylvanians whose information may have been accessed by an unauthorized actor.

Shapiro Administration Highlights Commitment to Health Access, Equity During Visit to York County’s Only School-Based Health Center

08/09/2023
DHS and DOH joined representatives from Hannah Penn School, Family First Health (FFH), and the United Health Foundation today to discuss a shared commitment of improving health care access for underserved communities through school-based health centers.

In Major Win for Women’s Health, Shapiro Administration Announces Contract with ‘Real Alternatives’ to Expire by End of the Year

08/03/2023
DHS announced the Commonwealth’s contract with Real Alternatives – an organization that purports to provide counseling, referrals, and other services through partnerships with crisis pregnancy centers – will come to an end by December 31, 2023.

In Norristown, Shapiro Administration and Pennie® Join Community Partners to Highlight Continued Efforts to Help Pennsylvanians Stay Covered Amid Major Federal Changes to Medicaid

07/31/2023
DHS and Pennie joined representatives from ACLAMO today to highlight how the Shapiro Administration and community service centers are collaborating to support Pennsylvanians through federal changes to Medicaid and CHIP renewal requirements so they can complete their renewals, protect their health, and stay covered. 

ICYMI: Shapiro Administration’s “Stay Covered PA” Program to Continue Airing, Informing Pennsylvanians of Major Federal Changes to Medicaid and CHIP Renewals

07/28/2023
DHS and Pennie® recently discussed Medicaid renewals, health insurance enrollment, and answered questions live on air during the “Stay Covered PA” program hosted by ABC27.

Shapiro Administration Announces Plan to Replace Pennsylvanians’ Stolen SNAP Benefits for the First Time

07/27/2023
DHS today announced that recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) who have had their benefits electronically stolen are now able to have those benefits replaced.

Shapiro Administration Secures Federal Funding to Support Medicaid Beneficiaries Receiving Long-Term Care Services in Their Communities

07/21/2023
DHS announced that Pennsylvania will receive an estimated $42 million in federal funding through the Money Follows the Person Program to continue existing and support new activities that make serving individuals in the community possible.

Shapiro Administration, U.S. Senator Bob Casey, Pennie® Working Together to Keep Pennsylvanians Covered Amid Federal Changes to Medicaid Renewal Requirements

07/21/2023
DHS Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh, U.S. Senator Bob Casey, and Pennie Director of External Affairs Chachi Angelo joined representatives from River Valley Health and Dental Center today for a roundtable discussion about how federal, state, and local partners are working together to support Pennsylvanians through federal changes to Medicaid and CHIP renewal requirements and keep them covered.

In Philadelphia, DHS Continues Statewide Tour Highlighting How Shapiro Administration is Keeping Pennsylvanians Covered Amid Major Federal Changes to Medicaid

07/17/2023
DHS Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh joined representatives from Independence Blue Cross’ foundation and health plans as well as community health centers to discuss how the Shapiro Administration is working to support Pennsylvanians through federal changes to Medicaid and CHIP renewal requirements so they can complete their renewals on time, protect their health, and stay covered.

In Pittsburgh, Shapiro Administration Reiterates Commitment to Keeping Pennsylvanians Covered Amid Major Federal Changes to Medicaid

07/13/2023
DHS and PID joined representatives from Primary Care Health Services today to highlight how the Shapiro Administration and local health centers are collaborating to support Pennsylvanians through federal changes to Medicaid and CHIP renewal requirements so they can complete their renewals, protect their health, and stay covered. 

In Butler, Shapiro Administration Reiterates Commitment to Keeping Pennsylvanians Covered Amid Major Federal Changes to Medicaid

07/12/2023
DHS joined Independence Health System today to highlight how the Shapiro Administration and community service centers are collaborating to support Pennsylvanians through federal changes to Medicaid and CHIP renewal requirements so they can complete their renewals, protect their health, and stay covered. 

Shapiro Administration Re-Opens Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program to Help Pennsylvanians Pay Utility Bills 

07/06/2023
DHS announced the Shapiro Administration is re-opening the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) to help Pennsylvanians with low incomes maintain access to drinking and wastewater services.

Shapiro Administration Announces Improved Access to Care for People Experiencing Homelessness through Expansion of Medicaid Coverage for Street Medicine

07/05/2023
DHS today announced a change in Medicaid that will allow certain enrolled medical providers to provide care outside a clinical setting to Medicaid beneficiaries who are experiencing homelessness – a practice known as street medicine.

Dr. Val Arkoosh Takes Office as Secretary of the Department of Human Services

06/29/2023
Val Arkoosh, MD, MPH officially becomes Secretary of the Department of Human Services (DHS) in accordance with the Pennsylvania Constitution. Arkoosh brings to the role a wealth of experiences as a physician, public health professional, and former county commissioner.

Department of Human Services Hosts 31st Annual Permanency Conference Focusing on Adoption Successes

06/23/2023
DHS Acting Secretary Val Arkoosh delivered remarks at the 31st Annual Pennsylvania Permanency Conference in Monroe County. The conference hosts child welfare professionals, current and prospective foster or adoptive families, kinship care providers, and others with a vested interest in ensuring children have safe, permanent and loving homes.

Shapiro Administration Releases 2022 Market Rate Report for Child Care, Highlights Investments in Base Rates to Support Access to Care for Children and Families

06/16/2023
DHS today released the 2022 Market Rate Survey (MRS) Report, which assesses costs of care incurred by child care providers and payments made by families in care.

In Philadelphia, Shapiro Administration, Pennie® Reiterate Commitment to Keeping Pennsylvanians Covered Amid Major Federal Changes to Medicaid

06/16/2023
DHS and Pennie joined representatives from Philadelphia FIGHT today to highlight how the Shapiro Administration and local health centers are collaborating to support Pennsylvanians through federal changes to Medicaid and CHIP renewal requirements so they can complete their renewals, protect their health, and stay covered. 

Department of Human Services Highlights Research Examining and Combatting Stigma for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities, Autism

06/13/2023
DHS today released the latest issue of the Positive Approaches Journal, which focuses on examining the stigma that persists around mental health and disabilities, and highlighting methods to combat and correct it.  
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