DHS Director's Action Line (DAL)

Messages left after normal business hours will be answered as soon as possible the next business day.

Phone 1-800-862-6783 Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Text “Action” to 412-324-3388
Email Director’s Action Line
Walk-in any time Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Human Services Building
First Floor
One Smithfield Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-2221

Individuals may register concerns and complaints or request information about any aspect of DHS. DAL specialists research and respond to the person's needs. Professional, friendly staff assist and explain procedures for getting help. They answer questions, investigate concerns regarding DHS and report back the results. Calls to the DAL are also used to generate data for statistical analysis to help evaluate policies and procedures.

Allegheny County Department of Human Services (DHS) does not exclude, deny benefits to or otherwise discriminate against any person on the ground of race (to include hair type, hair texture, or hair style), color, ancestry, national origin (including Limited English Proficiency), ancestry or place of birth, disability, age (40 and over), sex (to include pregnancy status, childbirth status, breastfeeding status, sex assigned at birth, gender identity or expression, affectional or sexual orientation and differences in sex development), religious creed (to include all aspects of religious observances and practice, as well as belief), marital status, familial status, use of guide or support animal because of blindness, deafness or physical disability in admission to, participation in or receipt of the services and benefits under any of its programs and activities, whether carried out by DHS directly or through a contractor or any other entity with which DHS arranges to carry out its programs and activities.

For more information, please see the Nondiscrimination Policy under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

View a graphic(PDF, 97KB) summarizing the grievance procedure. The arrows visually connect each step, indicating the flow of the procedure from start to finish. The steps are:

1. Make a report to the Director's Action Line.
2. Receive referrals to DHS services and reporting resources.
3. Wait while the complaint is processed and investigated.
4.  Meet with the ADA Coordinator.
5.  Receive a written response following the complaint.
6.  If not satisfied with the resolution, you may appeal to the DHS Executive Director.

For more information, please see the Grievance Procedure under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

What is the ADA?
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities.

What is the definition of disability under the ADA?
The ADA defines a person with a disability as someone who:

• Has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities including, but not limited to, caring for oneself, walking, performing manual tasks, breathing and other operations of major bodily functions, like functions of the immune system and normal cell growth.
• Has a history or record of an impairment.
• Is regarded as having such an impairment by others even if the individual does not actually have a disability.

What is the ADA Coordinator’s role?
The Allegheny County ADA Coordinator ensures that all citizens have an equal opportunity to participate meaningfully in the programs and services offered by the Allegheny County. The ADA Coordinator serves as Allegheny County’s point of contact for inquiries, complaints, referral, and information regarding the ADA.

Is Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) protected under the ADA?
Yes, the ADA protects people with drug addictions such as opioid use disorder (OUD) who are not engaging in illegal drug use currently, including those who are taking medication prescribed by their doctor to treat their OUD, in recovery, participating in a drug treatment program, and/or with a history of past OUD, who no longer illegally use drugs. To learn more, check out “ADA and Opioid Use Disorder Guidance and Resource Materials”.

I have an accessibility concern within Allegheny County.
Accessibility concern specifically within DHS programs and services:

• Contact the DAL by calling 1-800-862-6783 Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, texting “Action” to 412-324-3388, emailing or walking in.

Accessibility concern within Allegheny County’s programs, services, and activities:

• Contact: Caylin N. Snyder, ADA Coordinator, Department of Human Resources, County of Allegheny via email: caylin.snyder@alleghenycounty.us or phone: 412-350-2649.
• An Allegheny County ADA Grievance Form is available.
• Alternative means of filing complaints, such as personal interviews or a tape recording of the complaint, will be made available for persons with disabilities upon request.

What are other avenues for reporting discrimination?
It is against the law for Allegheny County Department of Human Services (DHS) to retaliate against anyone who opposes discrimination, files a grievance or participates in the investigation of a grievance. Any individual or family receiving services through DHS or their contracted providers who believes they have been subjected to discrimination on the basis of any of the protected categories outlined in the Notice of Nondiscrimination above have the option to file a grievance via any of the following avenues:

Allegheny County Human Relations Commission
Address: 920 City-County Building 414 Grant Street Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Phone: 412-350-6945
Website
Filing Time Frame: Up to 180 days from date of alleged occurrence.

Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Bureau of Equal Opportunity - Civil Rights Compliance
Address: 625 Forster Street, Suite 225 Harrisburg, PA 17120
Phone: 717-787-1127
Fax: 717-772-4366
Email
Filing Time Frame: Up to 90 days from date of alleged occurrence.

Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, Pittsburgh Regional Office
Address: 301 Fifth Avenue Suite 390, Piatt Place Pittsburgh, PA. 15222
Phone: 412-565-5395
TTY: 412-565-5711
Filing Time Frame: Up to 180 days from date of alleged occurrence.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Civil Rights
Address: 200 Independence Avenue, SW Room 509F, HHH Building Washington, D.C. 20201
Phone: 1-800-368-1019
TDD: 1-800-537-7697
Email
Website
Filing Time Frame: Up to 180 days from date of alleged occurrence.