Office of Children, Youth and Families

The Office of Children, Youth and Families (CYF) protects children, 18 years of age and younger, from abuse and neglect and works with families to provide a safe and loving permanent home for children. When a family is accepted for services, CYF coordinates efforts with the family and its natural supports, as well as other DHS program offices, to offer a wide range of options for families.

Types of Services

• Providing supports to strengthen families and prevent out-of-home placement
  • Parent and caregiver support
  • Basics of living
  • Child care and early learning
• Intervening to protect children at risk of abuse and neglect
  • Investigate reports of child abuse and neglect
    • General protective services
    • Child protective services
  • Assist with creating a family plan
    • Conferencing and Teaming
  • Emergency and planned temporary out-of-home care
    • Kinship/non-kinship foster care
    • Group homes
    • Residential treatment facility (RESPOND/MSRRT)
• Reuniting families whenever possible
  • Family services
• Providing permanent, legally assured homes for children
  • Reunification
  • Adoption
  • Permanent legal custodianship
• Independent Living services and supports
• Credential for Strengths-based Family Workers (SFW)

Information about CYF Services

• Questions, concerns or complaints, email or call the DAL 1-800-862-6783
• For TDD support, email the DAL

Report the Neglect or Abuse of a Child

CYF Intake Office
412-473-2000

PA ChildLine
1-800-932-0313

Report the Neglect or Abuse of a Child

Other Resources You Might Find Helpful

• Allegheny Connect – Children and Families
• Allegheny Connect – Child Protection
• Teens and Young Adults
• Brochures
• Resources guides
• For providers of services funded by CYF
• Become a DHS-contracted provider
• Become a CYF caseworker
• Apply for an internship with CYF

About CYF

Office Locations

Administration
Human Services Building
One Smithfield Street Suite 400
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-2221
Phone: 412-350-5701
Fax: 412-350-4004

Regional Offices

CYF Profile(PDF, 283KB)
One-page overview of CYF and a more detailed description of CYF including legal mandates, administration, fiscal and person statistics, programs and services, and contact information.

Administration

• Erin Dalton, DHS Director
• Betsy Caroff, Interim DHS Deputy Director, CYF
• With local oversight by the Children, Youth and Families Advisory Committee
• Commonwealth oversight by PA Departments of
  • Agriculture
  • Education
  • Human Services, Office of Children, Youth and Families

Annual Plans and Budgets

Related Information

Child Welfare Services in Allegheny County (CYF and JPO)

Allegheny County has divided the provision of child welfare services between three distinct entities that provide three distinct types of services. CYF provides services for children and families who are at risk for, or are experiencing, child abuse or neglect. The Juvenile Probation Office (JPO) provides placement services and support for delinquent youth.

In Pennsylvania, child welfare services are administered at the county level. DHS has assumed the lead role in the administration of fiscal and most contractual responsibilities for child welfare services in Allegheny County. (See details below.)

Fiscal

Funding for all services for children, youth and young adults is allotted from the state in one sum to the County child welfare system (CYF and JPO) according to the annual Allegheny County Needs-Based Plan and Budget. All child welfare reimbursement invoices are filed with the State by CYF and all child welfare reimbursements flow back to CYF. CYF then reimburses the joint child welfare account based on actual costs incurred at the level of the individual child for any services received through CYF or JPO.

Consolidated and centralized financial accounting of all aspects of child welfare services in Allegheny County allows for more accurate and timely reporting. It also enables the improved coordination of county-delivered services.

Contracts

The DHS Office of Administration is the repository for all contracts for CYF and JPO. DHS acts as the administrative agent of CYF and JPO, assuming the responsibility for establishing contracts and submitting financial and program reports of behalf of both. In addition, DHS has the responsibility to select, evaluate and monitor contracted providers of CYF-related services.