Office Changes
In 2007, DHS added a new support office, the Office of Data Analysis, Research and Evaluation (DARE). DARE supports and conducts research to produce community-ready information about the work of DHS.
In April 2010, DHS announced the integration of two DHS support offices—Administration and Information Management—into the new DHS Office of Administrative and Information Management Services (AIMS). The integration followed months of deliberation and strategizing about all essential functions within these two offices by the DHS transition team. The new structure of a single administrative/information technology office aligned DHS with emerging practices in both the private and public sectors to consolidate these two areas of operation. Consolidation was intended to maximize the use of limited resources and improve decision-making by better utilizing available data. An expanded transition team with representatives from both administrative and information management finalized the roles and responsibilities for staff within the new office.
In July 2010, the name of the DHS office responsible for providing services to persons with a diagnosis of intellectual disability and their families was changed from the Office of Mental Retardation/Developmental Disabilities to the Office of Intellectual Disability.
In May 2011, the position of Executive Deputy Director for Integrated Program Services was created. This individual oversees all program offices and transition-age youth and cross-systems programs.
In June 2013, the Area Agency on Aging consolidated its downtown Pittsburgh, McKeesport and Carnegie offices to a location on Pittsburgh's South Side.
In May 2017, DHS reassigned the services previously provided through the Office of Community Services (OCS) to the offices of Behavioral Health; Children, Youth and Families; Community Relations and Data Analysis, Research and Evaluation. This integration allowed our programs and services to be better connected and always focused on the goal of improving the lives of our county’s most vulnerable individuals and families.
In August 2018, information and technology services were moved from the Office of Administrative and Information Management Services (AIMS) to the Office of Data Analysis, Research and Evaluation (DARE). AIMS changed its name to the Office of Administration as a result.
In August 2018, the Office of Community Services was restored to provide many of its previous prevention and support services. The office was also moved under the direct purview of the Executive Office.
In November 2018, the name of the Office of Data Analysis, Research and Evaluation was changed to the Office of Analytics, Technology and Planning (ATP) to reflect its new oversight responsibilities.
In August of 2020, the name of the Office of Intellectual Disability was changed to the Office of Developmental Supports (ODS) to better reflect the full extent of the responsibilities it assumed after incorporating supports for people with complex needs.
March 2021, Marc Cherna, the director of the DHS from its founding in 1997, retired. Erin Dalton took over as the new DHS director.
In April of 2021, the offices of Equity and Inclusion, and Community Relations combined to form the Office of Equity and Engagement (OEE) with the roles of advancing equity across DHS and DHS-contracted providers, leading communication and digital strategies and engaging in meaningful ways with the community.