Dauphin County government services continue despite buildings closing to the public on March 17

HARRISBURG, PA (March 18, 2020) – Since Dauphin County government offices, as well as the courthouse and magisterial district court, closed to the public effective 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 17, 2020, to comply with Governor Wolf’s orders to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and to protect the public and employees, Commissioners Jeff Haste, Mike Pries and George P. Hartwick, III are reassuring residents that essential functions and services are continuing. Anyone in need of assistance and unsure where to turn for help can call Dauphin County’s main number at 717-780-6300.

“We have a duty to ensure the critical services provided by county government continue while doing everything we can to minimize the risk of COVID-19,” said Haste. “We may have closed our doors, but we won’t turn anyone away who needs help.”

Human service agencies

  • Dauphin County Crisis Intervention, providing 24-hour emergency mental health services referrals during emotional crisis: 717-232-7511
  • Dauphin County Area Agency on Aging, services for those age 60 and up: 717-780-6130
  • Dauphin County Drug and Alcohol Services, which provides treatment, prevention and intervention services: 717-635-2254
  • Dauphin County Children and Youth Services, for child safety, permanency and well-being: 717-780-7200
  • Dauphin County Veterans Affairs: 717-780-6357
  • Case Management Unit, for mental health, intellectual disabilities and early intervention: 717-232-8761
  • Contact HELPLINE, a 24-hour confidential listening and referral service: 211
  • Northern Dauphin Human Services’ main number is 717-905-2700. Non-county agencies in located in the center:
    • Northern Dauphin Food Pantry, coordinated by the Central PA Food Bank: 717-905-2512
    • Naaman Center, providing drug and alcohol services: 717-905-2516
    • Case Management Unit: 717-362-1212
    • Merakey Behavioral Health Services: 717-905-2600

“Nothing is more important than the health and safety of our residents,” said Hartwick, who oversees the county’s human service agencies. “We’re finding ways to continue these vital services, such as meals on wheels deliveries and child abuse investigations, while following the safety guidelines put in place by the state and federal government.”

COVID-19 testing

Residents are encouraged to call their health care provider if they are sick or have symptoms of COVID-19 and would like to be tested. If residents do not have a health care provider, call the Pennsylvania Department of Health at 1-877-PA-HEALTH.

County parks and programs

Dauphin County parks, including Detweiler, Fort Hunter and Wildwood, remain open to the public while programs offered through the Parks and Recreation Department are canceled until further notice and restrooms and buildings are closed to the public.

Recycling center and drop-off sites

Dauphin County’s Recycling Department will continue to pick up recyclables from the county’s drop-off locations throughout the county; however, the Steelton-based Dauphin County Recycling Center will close to the public at 4:30 p.m. on March 17.

Elections and Voter Registration

Visit www.DauphinCounty.org/vote for a link to download a mail-in ballot application or go to www.VotesPA.com/ApplyMailBallot to apply online. For assistance, voters can call 717-780-6360.

Residents who drop off a voter registration form or absentee/mail-in ballot or pay a tax bill can deposit items in a locked box near the entrance of the Dauphin County Administration Building on Second Street in Harrisburg.

The Dauphin County Courthouse will also have a secure box near the entrance on Market Street where documents can be dropped off.

“We’re doing our part to prevent the spread of COVID-19,” said Pries. “This continues to be a rapidly changing situation, and we’re ready to make decisions and take actions to protect the public as the need arises.”  

For a complete list of county government offices and their contact numbers and online forms, go to DauphinCounty.org and click on “County Government Directory” at the top of the homepage. 

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