Allegheny County Director of Human Services Erin Dalton will start a new position in New York City.<\/p>\n
Dalton will join Mayor Zohran Mamdani\u2019s administration as Commissioner of the Department of Social Services for New York City, the nation\u2019s largest social services department, officials said Wednesday.<\/p>\n
\u201cNew Yorkers deserve leaders who listen and act with urgency,\u201d Mamdani said. \u201cErin Dalton has spent decades making government work better for those who need it most \u2014 expanding housing access, strengthening social services, and protecting our most vulnerable neighbors. I\u2019m proud to work alongside Commissioner Dalton to build a city that is more just, effective, and accessible for all.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt has been an extraordinary honor to work alongside community members, advocates, frontline staff and the provider community to bring practical solutions to problems that once felt intractable,\u201d Dalton said. \u201c…While I look forward to serving New York City residents, I will always have deep admiration for Allegheny County \u2014 a community that invests in its government and expects it to deliver.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dalton has served at the Allegheny County Department of Human Services for 18 years.<\/p>\n
Under her leadership, officials say, the department reduced the number of people living in tents, moved 620 people from shelters to permanent housing through the \u201c500 in 500\u2033 initiative and expanded the winter shelter network, among other accomplishments. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhile we are terribly disappointed to lose Director Dalton, we know Allegheny County\u2019s loss is New York City\u2019s gain,\u201d Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato said. \u201cShe has given the majority of her professional career to coming up with innovative, data-driven and compassionate solutions in the human services space to better serve the residents of Allegheny County.\u201d<\/p>\n
Following Dalton\u2019s departure, Interim Director Alex Jutca will lead the Allegheny County DHS, which serves 200,000 people. A nationwide search will be conducted to find Dalton\u2019s permanent replacement.<\/p>\n
Download the FREE WPXI News app<\/a> for breaking news alerts.<\/p>\n Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook<\/a> and Twitter<\/a>. | Watch WPXI NOW<\/a><\/p>\n TOP STORIES FROM CHANNEL 11 NEWS <\/p>\n \u00a92026 Cox Media Group<\/p>\n