The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) is committed to serving vulnerable populations every day and protecting individuals receiving services in a facility licensed by DHS. On March 30, we issued guidance for entities licensed by the following DHS program offices:

1. Office of Developmental Programs (ODP)
2. Office of Children, Youth and Families (OCYF)
3. Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL)
4. Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS)
5. Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL)/Bureau of Human Services Licensing (BHSL)

In the March 30 guidance, we indicated that DHS will not be conducting any annual renewal inspections until Governor Wolf lifts the current Proclamation of Disaster Emergency for COVID-19 or until such other time set by DHS. However, licensing staff continued to investigate incidents and complaints.

Beginning May 28, DHS will resume annual renewal inspections in alignment with the Governor’s plan to re-open parts of the state. Information about the phases for re-opening can be found at the following link: https://www.governor.pa.gov/process-to-reopen-pennsylvania/.

All DHS program offices listed above will resume annual renewal inspections for counties that transition to the “green” phase. OCYF, OCDEL, ODP and OMHSAS will also start some annual renewal inspections for all counties that have transitioned to the “yellow” phase.

Licensing staff from all program offices will continue to investigate incidents and complaints statewide.
DHS is also considering conducting some annual renewal inspections remotely through virtual means.

More information about this will be forthcoming prior to any use of remote inspections. Please contact your Regional Program Office with any questions you may have.