Grandfamilies Stipend to Support Older Adult Caregivers This year, Aging Services led a groundbreaking initiative to support ‘grandfamilies,’ older adults who care for children outside of the child welfare system. The program offers stipends directly to families, aiming to recognize the increasing prevalence of older adults raising youth, address the financial needs of this often-overlooked demographic, and connect these families to services that mitigate the necessity for future DHS Children Youth and Family (CYF) involvement. Since in launch, DHS has allocated nearly $1 million to over 900 grandfamilies to help them care for their kin. Participating families were also connected with parent support programs. As this project continues, DHS plans to explore the anticipated use of funds and their impact on quality of life, access to opportunities, or access to basic needs for youth in the care of grandparent/ older parent/guardian heads of household. Launching PA START Allegheny This year, DHS, the PA Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) and the PA Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) launched an innovative crisis prevention and intervention program in Allegheny County: PA START Allegheny. START (Systemic, Therapeutic, Assessment, Resources & Treatment) is a nationally recognized model, currently operating in over 20 states, supported by the University of New Hampshire National Center for START Services. Through the provision of a 24-hour community-based crisis response and clinical consultation team, START aims to strengthen
The program builds on a 12-month pilot that began in late 2022. The discounted fares transportation 12-month pilot was designed to evaluate the impact of reduced public transportation fares on residents’ access to comprehensive services. Beyond DHS services, the pilot assessed whether these fares facilitated access to community opportunities. A total of 9,552 adults participated in the program, representing 14,480 individuals when including eligible family members. Preliminary findings from the pilot indicate that a 50% fare reduction led to a fourfold increase in ridership, as evidenced by transactional card tap data, compared to pilot members without a discount. Additionally, providing free fares doubled the number of rides compared to the group with a 50% discount. Participants who benefited from discounts reported savings on transportation costs and reduced challenges in commuting to work or attending appointments. At the outset of the 2024 program, individuals receiving SNAP benefits will qualify for a 50% fare discount when using PRT buses and light rail. DHS, in collaboration with PRT, remains committed to exploring avenues to enhance the discount, aiming ultimately to offer fare-free PRT trips for individuals with limited financial resources. Program eligibility will include Allegheny County residents between the ages of 6 to 64 who are receiving SNAP, potentially benefiting nearly 134,000 individuals, including over 80,000 residing within walking distance to PRT stations and bus stops.
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