Tug of war over Pittsburgh property puts conservatorship system on trial

Allegheny County preparing to start involuntary outpatient mental health treatment

After years of opting out, Allegheny County could soon adopt a controversial type of involuntary mental health treatment that takes place in the community instead of a hospital. The move sparked joy among some local advocates, who have long decried “dangerousness” as a standard for commitment, and fury among others, who point to the harms caused by forced psychiatric care.

Child care funding boost won’t solve problem long-term in Allegheny County

Without an overhaul in funding models, subsidies will remain essential to child care access, advocates said. Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato described the setup as a precarious structure weighed by federal limitations. “If I could snap my fingers and create the world I wanted, I would create universal child care."

A developmental disability diagnosis can hit hard — but it isn’t a knockout

The number of people diagnosed with developmental disabilities is rising, with implications for those individuals and the economy. The first article in this series examines the evaluation that can bring anxiety and uncertainty — but also help.

As Pittsburgh ages, Black families shoulder heavy dementia care burden

Around 20% of Allegheny County’s population is 65 and older, according to recent studies, placing among the highest concentrations of seniors of any large U.S. county. Of the adults 65 and over, 12% have an Alzheimer’s diagnosis, and even more seniors battle other forms of dementia. 

Smithfield, downtown Pittsburgh’s ‘fourth leg,’ is racing to catch up

The dowdy Smithfield Street retail strip, after a controversial period hosting a homeless shelter, wasn’t a central focus of a Downtown revitalization announcement. Its backers, though, have plans to restore its luster.