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Human Services Department
Our Vision is toward a better integration of services among County departments and all Human Service entities accompanied by a strengthened customer service orientation that will best serve all of the citizens of Westmoreland County. Tab through to learn more about our programs:
Please note: The Greensburg office of the PA State Department of Public Assistance is located at 587 Sells Lane, Greensburg, PA 15601-4493, is open 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Contact them at 724-832-5200 or 1-800-905-5413.
| Dirk Matson, Director Meet the Director |
Our Behavioral Health and Developmental Services staff provides opportunities for individuals to choose appropriate services and supports to promote quality of life and inclusion in the community. Employment assistance, Family services for the victims of domestic abuse or sexual assault, and Financial assistance with essentials like food and fuel are some of the ways we can help. Our Early Intervention Program serves families with children from birth to age three with developmental delays or disabilities. |
| Shara B Saveikis M.S.W., Executive Director Meet the Director |
The Children's Bureau protects children from abuse and neglect, preserves families whenever possible and ensures that every child under our care and supervision has a safe, stable and permanent home in which to grow. |
| Carlos Alejandre, Director Meet the Director |
At the Juvenile Detention/Shelter we provide temporary secure care for alleged delinquent or adjudicated delinquent juveniles awaiting disposition of the court, minimizing the negative effects of confinement on these minor children while also protecting the community. |
| Katherine A. Johnson, LSW Administrator |
Area Agency on Aging staff help seniors access free health insurance counseling, our 13 Senior Centers, visitors to the homebound, legal and consumer protection services, discounted shared rides, and vision benefits. |
Stay Connected
Subscribe to our website news and get email or text notification when we post important updates to the Human Services News section.
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An unlikely caregiver: How wife's stroke stoked love in a self-centered man
George Shannon was at a Sewickley cocktail party, six years into an unexpected, demanding period involving nearly 24/7 care of his longtime wife, who had had two strokes, two hip fractures and triple-bypass surgery. Additional Info... -
Art therapy helps people explore and resolve many issues
Beaver is a prolific artist despite having a diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia — along with, he says “depression, anger and bipolar disorder.” Additional Info... -
Allegheny County Health Dept. Warns Of Additional Locations For Potential Measles Exposures
Visitors and workers at the National Aviary in Pittsburgh’s North Side, a Squirrel Hill restaurant and an Avalon thrift shop may have been exposed to measles last month, health officials said Monday. Additional Info... -
Early intervention programs target Westmoreland children in need of help
Born at just over 27 weeks gestation, Victoria Zerlin began life with unusual challenges. She spent her first 80 days in the neonatal intensive care unit at University Medical Center in Lubbock, where her parents, both Venezuelans, were living. Additional Info... -
Westmoreland County Special Olympics celebrates 50 years at competition
Skyler Wood, a fourth-grader at RK Mellon Elementary School in Bolivar, flashed a big smile as he was presented with a gold medal for winning his heat in the 50-meter dash Saturday morning at Westmoreland County’s Special Olympics track and field event. Additional Info... -
Disabled students at Edinboro University say goodbye to the end of an era
EDINBORO, Pa. -- Veronica Siaba is leaving college because the program she traveled hundreds of miles for is gone. Additional Info... -
Pa. senior centers get grants to improve buildings, programs
Several Westmoreland and Allegheny County senior centers are receiving grant money that will help modernize buildings and expand programs. Additional Info... -
What you need to know about measles
Allegheny County last week reported five confirmed cases of measles, its first ones of the year, and health officials are warning residents there will likely be more cases. Additional Info... -
Westmoreland County Food Bank honors its volunteers of the year
Even in the midst of personal tragedy, Robbyn Slavin did not miss a beat as volunteer coordinator for the Charter Oak Church Food Pantry. Additional Info... -
Study: Elder fraud costs Pennsylvanians an estimated $1.2 billion per year
Elderly Pennsylvanians are being defrauded to the tune of an estimated $1.2 billion per year, according to a recent study, and when it happens, many do not report it to the authorities. Additional Info... -
Fate of state centers for people with intellectual disabilities debated in Harrisburg
For many years, Pennsylvania has been slowly closing state institutions for people with intellectual disabilities in favor of caring for them in smaller, community-based settings such as group homes, a trend welcomed by many disability advocates. Additional Info... -
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How Did We Get Here? 7 Things To Know About Measles
According to the CDC, dults born between 1957 and 1967 should be revaccinated, as early vaccines were less effective than the vaccine available after 1967. Additional Info... -
Child welfare report shows increase in abuse reports statewide, locally
A report from the state Department of Human Services found a 50% increase statewide in child abuse reports 2014-2016, a trend local child welfare officials said comes from an increase in mandated reporters and rise in children impacted by addiction. Additional Info... -
Scientists identify another form of dementia that mimics Alzheimer’s
Some people told they have Alzheimer’s may instead have a newly identified mimic of the disease — and scientists say even though neither is yet curable, it’s critical to get better at telling different kinds of dementia apart. Additional Info... -
Measles Shots Aren't Just For Kids: Many Adults Could Use A Booster Too
Although the majority of people getting the illness now were never vaccinated, the expanding outbreaks have raised new questions about whether some older adults — including many of those born before the mid-1960s — should be revaccinated. Additional Info... -
Adults with high-level spectrum disorders often not recognized
The Latrobe Bulletin--Thomas Jefferson would have been diagnosed with high-functioning autism if he were alive today. Author Norman Ledgin comes to that conclusion in his book “Diagnosing Jefferson. ” tioning autism, or HFA. Additional Info... -
Gary Cuccia: Look for dating violence warnings
Early red flags of controlling behavior can seem normal — wanting to spend all of your time together; wanting to know everything about you — including where you are, what you are doing, who you are with; checking your phone and social media accounts. Additional Info... -
Westmoreland County Transit Authority launches mobile ticketing ability
Westmoreland County Transit Authority bus riders can now pay fares via smart phones. Additional Info... -
First non-drug therapy for ADHD in children wins FDA approval
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the first medical device to treat ADHD. The system is a prescription-only device intended for patients age 7 to 12 years old who are not currently taking ADHD medication. Additional Info... -
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Redstone Highlands offers nursing, HVAC scholarships to Pitt-Greensburg, WCCC
Students who want to pursue a nursing career this fall semester can apply for one of three scholarships worth a total of $96,800 to attend either the University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg or Westmoreland County Community College. Additional Info... -
Pa. House approves tougher rules on child sexual abuse reporting
The PA House is approving tougher penalties for people who don’t report suspicions about repeated child sexual abuse and it’s clarifying that nondisclosure agreements can’t prevent people from talking to police in child molestation investigations Additional Info... -
Senior’s weakness for scams may be warning sign of dementia
Does an older friend or relative have a hard time hanging up on telemarketers or get excited about a “You’ve won a prize” voicemail? New research suggests seniors who aren’t on guard against scams also might be at risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease. Additional Info... -
Changes coming to federal disability programs' application process in PA
The process of applying for federal disability assistance will change this week in Pennsylvania — and for many applicants, it will become longer and more complicated. Additional Info... -
Pa. Supreme Court to take up AG Shapiro’s case against UPMC
The AG seeks to delay this summer’s insurance network breakup between rival health systems UPMC and Highmark, in hopes of ultimately enabling thousands of seniors, cancer patients & people with disabilities to maintain access to doctors. Additional Info... -
Hempfield event pairs disabled children with adaptive devices, bikes
William Gunther will be able to ride a bicycle alongside other kids in his Unity neighborhood and Sarah Carl will be able to tell her parents what she wants to eat when they plan meals in their Penn Borough home. Additional Info... -
5 to be honored during Mental Health America of Southwestern Pennsylvania annual event
Several community members and organizations will be honored by Mental Health America of Southwestern Pennsylvania next month. Additional Info... -
Bill would enhance caseworkers’ access to information in child abuse cases
More than a year and a half after a state audit found child welfare workers were underpaid and ill-equipped to deal with an increasing tide of abuse complaints, a bill would give caseworkers access to more information about at-risk children. Additional Info... -
Greensburg march raises awareness about domestic, sexual violence
State Rep. Eric Nelson has four daughters, and he’s pretty sure all of them placed bets on when he’d take a spill during Saturday’s “Walk a Mile in Her Shoes” event, hosted by the Blackburn Center in Greensburg. Additional Info... -
Pa. lawmakers try to stop plan to switch paratransit funding from counties to private brokers
State lawmakers Tuesday moved to delay — and eventually kill, they hope — a planned funding change that could severely reduce subsidized rides to doctors offices and other medical appointments for the poor and elderly in Pennsylvania. Additional Info... -
Hempfield donor recipient thankful for ‘gift of life’
Heather Hunter of Hempfield wasn’t supposed to be at Excela Square at Norwin on Wednesday morning, talking about how a double lung transplant in September 2016 gave her a second chance at life. Additional Info... -
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Cook Township center’s new enclosure allows year-round equine therapy
Catherine Markosky’s stable of nine therapy horses have important work to do. Additional Info... -
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Did You Know? Information for Veterans and Friends of Veterans
Westmoreland County and Westmoreland County Courts would like to remind those who have served, as well as friends, family and attorneys who represent those who have served, that we have resources available to you. Read on...
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| Issues with substance abuse? Call PA's Get Help Now helpline 24/7/365 at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) |