Did you know Single Mom Defined’s Resource Directory is powered by the Allegheny County Department of Human Services (ACDHS)? Funding support helps maintain the website, which connects thousands of mothers to resources and services their families need to not only survive but also thrive. According to a Femisphere report, 77 percent of impoverished households in Pittsburgh are headed by single mothers. Most have an average of eight basic needs; however, no one organization can meet them all. The resource directory helps mothers, especially those experiencing poverty, easily navigate complex systems and quickly connect to social services.
There is nothing like being able to go to one place to find what I need to navigate systems. I don’t have to go all over the place to find everything from doctors to daycares. Cherrell, Pittsburgh, PA
The directory supports my family by sharing lots of different options for resources and services. It gives me a much better understanding of what is available, which makes it easier to receive the support we need. Duprene, Pittsburgh, PA
In addition to helping us cover the costs of website maintenance, DHS helps connect our moms to each other, by sponsoring in-person events, and to services, by offering new parents support through Hello Baby.
The wellness retreats help me whenever I forget. Sometimes life can be so busy. Coming to the wellness retreat helps me refocus and be more mindful of doing things outside of the normal things I would do as a part of self-care. I can also help other moms, sharing ideas about what I do to pour into myself. It’s something that helps me, and I’m also able to be a help to others.
Kenise, Pittsburgh, PA
This support could come to an end.
Allegheny County Council is currently debating the budget proposed by County Executive Sara Innamorato. Without a 2.2 Millage increase–that calculates to about $15 per month for a median homeowner, the Department of Human Services will lose approximately $137 million annually, a 47% reduction in their operating expenditures. That would result in more than 25,000 people losing vital support services, such as housing, food, shelter, and out-of-school programs. Thousands of people will also lose their jobs. We are raising our collective and calling our County Council representatives to tell them to SAY YES on 2.2, and submit a written comment.
The potential $137 million reduction in Allegheny County’s Department of Human Services budget threatens to devastate vital programs that serve thousands of vulnerable residents, including many of our moms. Our directory is just one of countless things that could lose funding and harm 25,000 people.
Fully Cut
- Family Centers offering basic needs support and evidence-based home visiting for more than 16,000 families with children.
- Specialized services for more than 1,600 at-risk families with new babies offered through the Hello Baby program, including nearly 650 families who face significant challenges and need intervention to help them move from crisis to stability.
- Out-of-school programs for more than 5,700 youth.
- Independent living programs like the 412YouthZone that serve more than 1,000 former foster, homeless, and older youth at risk of homelessness.
- Gun violence prevention and intervention programs serving more than 400 of our highest risk youth.
Significantly Cut
- Emergency shelter for more than 800 youth and families and more than 3,400 adults annually.
- Rental assistance to prevent evictions for more than 6,500 residents.
- Home delivered meals for more than 3,600 seniors.
- Senior Centers serving more than 11,000 clients.
- Behavioral health services that insurance or Medicaid doesn’t cover for more than 9,000 people.
Here’s how you can stop this from happening.
Find Your Allegheny County Council Representative
If you aren’t sure who it is, you can find your representative by clicking here. Call or Email Your Councillor. Find the emails below! Your voice matters!Tell them to SAY YES on 2.2. You can even share your own story. Have you utilized any of the services on the chopping blocks? Urge your Councilor to approve this 2.2 millage increase. Let them know if we miss this opportunity, we stand to lose far more. If the safety net for our most vulnerable collapses, it may not be able to be replaced! We know they care about the people who live here, so urge them to save our services and say yes to invest in 2.2.
Share Our Social Media Post
Help us spread the word about this critical issue! Please share our Instagram and Facebook posts.
Allegheny County Council meets Tuesday to hear from the public on this issue. They must vote on a budget at their December 3rd meeting. Be sure to contact your representative before that date!
At Large
Bethany Hallam, Bethany.Hallam@alleghenycounty.us
At Large
Samuel DeMarco III, Samuel.Demarco@alleghenycounty.us
District 1
Jack Betkowski, Jack.Betkowski@alleghenycounty.us
District 2
Suzanne Filiaggi, Suzanne.Filiaggi@alleghenycounty.us
District 3
Anita Prizio, Anita.Prizio@AlleghenyCounty.us
District 4
Patrick Catena, Patrick.Catena@alleghenycounty.us
District 5
Dan Grzybek, Daniel.Grzybek@alleghenycounty.us
District 6
John F. Palmiere, John.Palmiere@alleghenycounty.us
District 7
Nick Futules, Nicholas.Futules@alleghenycounty.us
District 8
Michelle Naccarati-Chapkis, Michelle.Chapkis@alleghenycounty.us
District 9
Robert J. Macey, Bob.Macey@alleghenycounty.us
District 10
DeWitt Walton, DeWitt.Walton@alleghenycounty.us
District 11
Paul Klein, Paul.Klein@alleghenycounty.us
District 12
Robert Palmosina, Robert.Palmosina@AlleghenyCounty.us
District 13
David Bonaroti, David.Bonaroti@alleghenycounty.us
Chief of Staff
Kenneth Varhola, Kenneth.Varhola@alleghenycounty.us
