Allegheny County promotes Erin Dalton to replace Cherna as Human Services director

Allegheny County officials are promoting from within to replace Human Services Director Marc Cherna, who will retire in March.

Erin Dalton is executive deputy director of the department, and on Tuesday, County Executive Rich Fitzgerald named her as Cherna’s replacement.

“With her leadership, the department will not miss a beat. And I’m certain that her work will ensure that the department continues to enjoy the great reputation it has in this community,” Fitzgerald said in a statement.

The Department of Human Services includes child protective services, aging, employment and other social safety net services such as mental health, drug and alcohol treatment and homeless programs. It has an annual budget of $1 billion and nearly 1,000 employees who coordinate the programs that help more than 200,000 Allegheny County residents each year.

Dalton, of O’Hara, will be paid $185,000 per year. Cherna’s salary was $191,736.

Cherna announced his retirement in December. He has worked for the county for 25 years and led the creation of the department, which consolidated several agencies that work with 348 community-based providers and gets funding through more than 70 sources, according to the county.

“I am appreciative to have the opportunity to build on the relationships that DHS has developed with its clients, service providers and community partners,” Dalton said in a statement. “This is particularly true at a time when it’s so critical that we band together to help support people through the most significant health and economic crises of our time.”

Dalton had been responsible for analytics, planning, budget, finance and human resources for the department.

“She has the right temperament and is the right person to take over and build on what the department has accomplished,” County Manager William McKain said.