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1. Whom does Fayette County Behavioral Health Administration serve?

• Children birth to 3 who have developmental delays or disabilities
• Individuals diagnosed with an Intellectual Disability or Autism
• Individuals with Mental Health conditions such as Anxiety, Bipolar Disorder, and Schizophrenia (among others)

2. What types of services does Fayette County Behavioral Health Administration provide?

Administration

Fayette County Behavioral Health Administration (FCBHA) assures that individuals and families are provided opportunities to utilize Behavioral Health services to meet their needs. It is the responsibility of FCBHA to bring options through a vast network of local providers. An intake assessment will be conducted for referral to appropriate provider agencies for Mental Health and Intellectual Disability Services.

Service Coordination

Once children are deemed eligible for Early Intervention services, an Individualized Family Service Plan is developed to assist the child’s ability to see, move, hear, talk, eat, dress, think, learn, understand, relate to others and express their own needs. The child’s Service Coordinator will ensure the family is informed about age appropriate childhood development, family supports, developmental/instructional therapy options to aid in their child’s development.

Supports Coordination

Individuals diagnosed with an IQ below 70 or diagnosed as Autistic with adaptive skill deficits prior to age 22 and are Medical Assistance eligible qualify for Supports Coordination services. These services include:

• Day Programs
• In-home Supports
• Independent Living
• Residential Programs
• Transition Planning (ages 14 to 21)
• Vocational Training / Employment

3. What Behavioral Health Services are available in Fayette County?

Behavioral Health Services

• Assertive Community Treatment Team
• Case Management
• Inpatient
• Outpatient
• Partial Hospitalization
• Peer Specialist
• Psychiatric Rehabilitation
• Residential Rehabilitation

Substance Abuse

• Detoxification Services
• Halfway House

4. Where do I start if I would like services?

Insured

If you have commercial insurance, call the toll-free number on your insurance card to verify your coverage and locate a provider.

Not Insured

If you do not have insurance, call Fayette County Behavioral Health Administration at 724-430-1370.

HealthChoices

If you have HealthChoices, call 877-688-5972. HealthChoices is for those who are Medical Assistance eligible with University of Pittsburgh Medical Center for You, Gateway Health, United Healthcare, or Aetna as their insurance carrier.

5. What is HealthChoices?

HealthChoices is the behavioral health portion of the managed care program for Medical Assistance recipients. Fayette County is the first to be certified by the Department of Human Services as a Behavioral Health Managed Care Organization. This requires Fayette County Behavioral Health Administration to ensure Medical Assistance recipients receive quality medical care and timely access to appropriate mental health and/or drug and alcohol services.

6. What is Early Intervention?

Early Intervention is designed to help lessen challenges for children and aid in their growth, development, and learning. It is available to all children birth to age 3 at no cost to the family.

7. What services are offered through Early Intervention?

Fayette County Early Intervention offers:

• Hearing/Vision Support
• Nutrition
• Occupational Therapy
• Physical Therapy
• Speech Instruction
• Speech Therapy

Read more about Fayette County Early Intervention.

8. What is Transition Planning?

Transition Planning creates a bridge between school and adult life for students with disabilities age 14 to 21 years old. It helps students become part of the adult community, get ready for work, higher education, and other aspects of adult life. Initiated by the youth’s school district, Transition Plans include the student, parents, educators, and other professionals working to ensure the student develops skills needed to be successful upon graduation. See more information about Intellectual Disabilities and resources.

9. What is Lifesharing?

Lifesharing, also known as Family Living, allows individuals with a Developmental Disability the opportunity to live with and share life experiences with supportive families in a caring household. If you know someone looking for Lifesharing placement, contact their Supports Coordinator. If they do not have a Supports Coordinator, call 724-430-1370 and ask for more information on this program. You may also read more in the Lifesharing Brochure (PDF).

10. What does a Lifesharing provider need to have and do?

Lifesharing providers need to have the time, space, and ability to support the participant’s needs. They must also pass a criminal background check and child abuse clearances. Lifesharing providers must complete annual trainings on First Aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), Individual Support Plans, Family interactions, and building relationships.

They must provide a safe, nurturing, and healthy environment, a traditional family/community living arrangement, and follow all regulations of their provider agency, the Fayette County Behavioral Health Administration, Pennsylvania DPW, and the Office of Developmental Programs. If you are interested in becoming a Lifesharing Provider, call 724-430-1370.

You can also read more information in the Lifesharing Brochure (PDF).

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1. What is parenting?

Parenting is the process of actively providing a safe, secure, nurturing environment for your children. It requires flexibility to meet the unique needs of individual children, the firmness to set needed limits and the maturity to sometimes set aside your needs and desires for the benefit of your children.

2. Is parenting natural?

People are not born with the essential skills to be parents, although some people have a natural temperament that makes it easier for them to parent. To some degree, learning how to parent involves considerable trial and error. Parents who are open to learning how to improve their parenting skills usually become better parents over the course of time.

3. Does a parent's role change?

A parent's role changes as children grow up. When children are young, this role is to nurture, protect and guide them. Parents must continue to do this, but to a lesser extent, as children grow older. As children mature, the most important role parents take on is to help prepare them to be independent.

4. What do children need from parents?

Children need to receive messages from their parents that they are lovable, capable and special in positive ways. They need to know that their parents are available when they need help and support and are eager to be present to witness their accomplishments. They also need parents to provide an atmosphere that is mentally and physically challenging and stimulating.

5. How can I improve as a parent?

Learning how to be a parent is an ongoing process. When in doubt about your parenting, talk to other parents, attend parenting classes, and gather information from books, magazines, television, and radio. If you still have major concerns, consult with a professional who specializes in working with parents and children. Some ways to improve include:

• Be a role model
• Communicate
• Delegate responsibility
• Discipline with love
• Encourage social skills
• Love unconditionally
• Make your home safe
• Show affection
• Spend time together

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1. Where can I find an attorney for my custody case?

The Child Custody Services Office and the Custody Mediators/Hearing Officers are unable to provide legal advice concerning child custody matters. If you require legal assistance, the following resources are available in Fayette County:

Southwestern Pennsylvania Legal Aid

Southwestern Pennsylvania Legal Aid is the legal aid services provider for Fayette County. They offer an information page on their website about child custody issues. Eligibility and availability of services for custody cases may vary. For more information, contact their Fayette office at (724) 439-3591.

Fayette County Bar Association Find a Lawyer Program

The Fayette County Bar Association offers a Find a Lawyer Program that refers callers to participating attorneys primarily located in Fayette County. There is no charge to contact the FCBA Find a Lawyer Program and the fee for an initial consultation of up to one half hour with an attorney is $25. For more information or a referral, please contact the Find a Lawyer Program at (724) 437-7994.

2. Where do I go if I want to do the research on my own?

The Fayette County Law Library is located on the 2nd Floor of the Fayette County Courthouse. The telephone number is 724-430-1228. The Pennsylvania Rules of Court and the Fayette County Local Rules are available for your use. The librarian may assist you in locating the rule books but is unable to provide any legal advice. If you want to file your own custody action, The Law Library will provide you with a Child Custody packet of information for a fee or you can download the printable forms and instructions.

3. What is the Child Custody Education Class that is required for me to attend?

When a complaint for custody or modification of a current Custody Order is filed each party is required to attend a Child Custody Education Class presented by the Crime Victims Center of Fayette County. Attendance is mandatory for all parties in an action and is reported to the Child Custody Services Office. Parties living outside of the area may contact a court near them to attend a similar class after they have submitted the curriculum of the out of county class to Child Custody Services.

The class offered in Fayette County is a one-time, four hour parent education seminar to help amicably formulate a custody arrangement that will meet the needs of the children involved in custody disputes. All parties in a custody action are mandated to attend this seminar; no one is singled out. The seminar is informal in nature and focuses on ways to help your child cope and accept the change in living arrangements and circumstances. The program is designed to teach effective parenting during the transitional stages of divorce and/or separation.

4. Do I have to have an attorney represent me?

It is recommended that you seek legal counsel to assist you with your custody case. The Child Custody Services Office is unable to provide legal advice. Therefore, any questions you may have should be directed to an attorney.

5. Where can I obtain a copy of my Court Order?

You may obtain copies of documents from your file in the Prothonotary's Office which is located on the 1st Floor of the Fayette County Courthouse. The telephone number is 724-430-1272. A fee of $0.25 per page will be charged for copies.

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1. Can you give an inmate a message?

Unfortunately, this is impossible due to the amount of inmates we have. However, we encourage you to keep in touch by writing or visiting the inmate.

2. When is an inmate's court date?

We do not have that information readily available.

3. How can I retrieve personal property?

The inmate must fill out a Request Slip form. The request will be reviewed and the property will be given on the next appropriate visiting day.

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1. I want a copy of a Marriage License or Death Certificate. Do I complete a Right To Know Request Form and contact the Right To Know Officer?

No. The Register of Wills Office is the office to contact.

2. I want copy(ies) of deeds. Do I complete a Right To Know Request Form and contact the Right To Know Officer?

No. The Recorder of Deeds Office is the office to contact.

3. I want copies of Minutes to the Commissioner Meetings, Salary Board Meetings, Retirement Board Meeting and Prison Board Meetings. Do I need to complete a Right To Know Form?

No. Instead, visit our Agenda Center.

4. Do I need to contact the Right To Know Officer to obtain a copy of the current or past years General Fund Budget?

No. You can visit our Adopted General Funds page.

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1. What Happens During a Support Conference?

The Conference Officer (CO) will conduct the conference with the parties and their attorneys should they choose to be represented. The CO will review the complaint, earnings reported by employer and pay stubs, expenses, and other relevant information. The CO will explain the support guidelines and how they apply to the support request. If an agreement is reached, an Order will be prepared for a signature. If no agreement is reached, the conference will terminate and the CO will make a recommendation to the Court.

2. What Is a Recommended Order?

A recommendation is prepared by the CO following a conference if no agreement for support was reached. The CO prepares a summary of facts and the recommendation which are forwarded to a Judge for review and approval or change. The parties will receive copies of the summary of facts and the recommendation. A written demand for a hearing before a Judge must be filed within ten days after the mailing of the order.

3. Can a Support Order Be Modified?

A support order can be modified only if there has been a substantial change of circumstances since the order was entered. Pennsylvania law provides that all support orders are reviewed at least once every three years if such review is requested by one of the parties. Modification Petitions can be filed through attorneys or by client appearance at the Domestic Relations Office.

4. How Are Payments Made Under a Support Order?

A mandatory income attachment will issue unless the defendant is not in arrears in payment in an amount equal to or greater than one month's support obligation and (1) the court finds that there is good cause not to require immediate income withholding; or (2) a written agreement is reached between the parties which provides for an alternate arrangement.

Payments must be made to the Pennsylvania State Collection and Disbursement Unit (PA SCDU) by check or money order. All checks and money orders must be made payable to PA SCDU and mailed to:
PA SCDU
P.O. Box 69110
Harrisburg , PA 17106-9110

Payments must include the defendant's PACSES Member Number or Social Security Number in order to be processed.

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1. When should I call 911?

Use 911 to report a fire, accidents, injuries, or a crime. Basically, anything that requires response from police, fire, or EMS personnel. If you're not sure, it's always better to call.

2. What can I do to ensure the fastest possible response?

Location, location, location! Know where you are at. This means a street address, or at the very least, a nearby well-known business or landmark, as well as the municipality you're calling from. Some people have a mailing address based off of a certain post office, but that's not necessarily the municipality they live in!

Make sure to answer the call-taker's questions to the best of your knowledge. These questions are vital to a fast and effective response. They are not slowing down help from getting there!

You will be asked basic questions when you dial 911: Your location, the municipality, your name, and the number you're calling from (in case the line is inadvertantly disconnected), as well as the primary problem. Almost all of the time, as soon as we have this information, help is on the way, and any further questions are not slowing the process down.

3. I accidentally dialed 911. What should I do?

Even if you don't hear the phone ring on your end, and regardless of how quickly you think you hung up, the call still does make it to the 911 Center, and a dispatcher must still answer and investigate to make sure there is no emergency. This causes strain on resources and wastes valuable time in real emergencies!

If you have dialed in error, stay on the line, inform the dispatcher of the error, and answer any questions they may have.

Often times, if you call from a landline and hang up, and we are unable to reach you, we will send someone to check on you. Again, this ties up important police resources that could be better used in real emergencies.

4. Why do you ask so many questions when I call?

As we mentioned before, the questions are not slowing down the process in any way. Once we have your location and other vital info, help is already on the way. Officer safety issues, important medical information, and other scene size-up information are gathered during this interrogation process.

We are not the ones who are responding, and the people we are dispatching need to know what kind of situation they are getting into. It's our job to paint a picture of the scene as best as we can, and the only information we can pass along to these responders is what the caller, you, tells us!

If you have witnessed a crime, we will ask for other pertinent information, which we will then pass along to police via radio. For instance, descriptions of the person committing the crime (head-to-toe), if there is a vehicle involved (color, year, make/model, body style, license plate number, if there's any damage, direction of travel, etc). This helps the responding officers to find who they're looking for.

We will also ask on any potential police call if there are any weapons or injuries. This allows us to determine if EMS needs to be dispatched, and if it is safe for officers and/or EMS personnel to respond.

5. What if I don't have an emergency, but need to reach a police officer, fire department, or ambulance service?

Visit our non-emergency contact page. You can find non-emergency numbers for every emergency service provider in Fayette County.

6. Are there times when it's not appropriate to call 911?

We do not have any information on parades, bingo, fireworks displays, loss of power or cable TV service when it does not involve a medical or other type of emergency. We also do not send ambulances for pets.

These types of calls tie up call-takers and dispatchers and cause a slower response to real emergencies. We do not and cannot handle these types of calls.

We are, however, trying to keep and maintain a list of services within the county that provide these services. Please refer to the previous question for a link to our non-emergency contact page. It is sure to have info on how to get in touch with whatever agency is hosting your event, and we're working on adding information on veterinary hospitals, utilities, and more to the page.

7. Don't my address and phone number show up on your caller ID? Why do you have to ask? Doesn't my cell phone tell you my exact location when I call?

There are several reasons why we verify callers' locations. As we previously stated, location is the absolute most important aspect of a 911 emergency call. In rare instances, the address that the phone company has on file for a residence is incorrect. Addressing format changes in the mid-90s (for instance, when we switched from RR and RD addresses) as well as typographical and clerical errors sometimes do happen and are beyond the dispatcher's control. That's why it is of the utmost importance to verify your location on every single call.

Additionally, with the changing technological landscape, services known as VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) which include but are not limited to magicJack and Vonage, change the way we receive your location information when you call 911. The addressing on these services is often inaccurate, as it may be based on billing addresses or outdated phone company information. It is very important that if you use these services, you provide a proper 911 address in addition to your billing address. If you don't know your 911 street address, call Jackie Fowler at our addressing department at 724-430-1277, ext. 222.

It's also important to note that if you are calling from a mobile phone, we do not receive location information. In some cases, we are able to get a general idea of where you are, but the accuracy and reliability of this technology varies based on your location, your wireless provider, your handset, and many other factors. If you don't know where you are, at least try to be aware of landmarks or businesses that are around you, cross streets, or other possible clues that may help our responders to locate you!

8. Why does it take help so long to get here?

Rest assured, that as soon as we have sufficient information to dispatch help, it is done.

In many cases, such as for police response, calls must be prioritized by the officers according to their department policies and protocols as well as how they feel they can make the best use of manpower and resources at their disposal. Police may not be in the immediate geographical vicinity of you at the time of your call. They must be given time in order to safely travel to the scene.

In the case of EMS calls, there may be circumstances that slow down response times. Potentially dangerous scenes, such as one where an actor with weapons is on scene, or any other such situation, may cause the ambulance company to stage and wait for police arrival before proceeding to the scene in order to ensure the safety of emergency medical personnel.

As far as fire departments, a large percentage of responders in Fayette County do so on a volunteer basis. Not all fire departments are manned 24/7, and many of these responders may have to leave work, get out of bed, or come from farther away to make it to their station and respond to a call. Only the City of Uniontown has a 24/7 paid fire department in the county. Because not all of the stations are manned at all times, you must allow time for these volunteer personnel to make it to the station so that they can respond with the proper fire apparatus and equipment.

9. Is my name going to wind up in the newspaper if I report a crime?

911 call-takers, dispatchers, supervisors, and administrative staff will never give a callers' name out to the media. You can choose to remain anonymous, however, in the event that we need to call back for more specific information, or if law enforcement personnel have additional questions, without knowing who you are, we will not be able to do so.

10. Is it true that deactivated cell phones can call 911?

Yes. For this reason, we ask that if you have an old, unused phone and know somebody who may need it in an emergency, give it to them.

Be advised, however, that these deactivated phones are not toys for children. Several times a day we receive 911 calls from deactivated cell phones that children are playing with, during the investigation of which, we are tying up a call taker from answering emergency calls. If you have an old cell phone that you are going to let your child play with, please, take out the battery!

11. Who is answering the phone when I call 911?

Our call-takers are everyday residents of Fayette County, just like the ones who work at the grocery store, teach in our schools, plow our roads, etc. The difference is, each 911 dispatcher undergoes months worth of highly specialized training specific to the job we do and the equipment we use. For more information on what a dispatcher goes through when the phone rings at 911, please check out the "Anatomy of a 911 Call" Presentation (PDF).

12. I have an emergency involving one of my pets. Can you help me?

Unfortunately, no. If you have an animal who is sick or injured, you should seek emergency veterinary care. We have compiled a list (albeit incomplete) of animal hospitals in our local region that provide 24-hour veterinary care. It is available on our non-emergency contact page. If you are unsure what to do, please call the Fayette SPCA at 724-438-3121.

13. My cat is stuck in a tree! Can you get it down?

Contrary to popular belief, 911 does not dispatch fire departments to retrieve cats from trees. Although we understand that this situation can be stressful for the cat's owner, we simply cannot commit the limited resources of our volunteer fire departments to an individual cat (who will probably climb down safely eventually) when there may be life and property at risk in a real emergency.

14. I want to work as a 911 dispatcher. What special skills and training do I need? Do you have any openings?

As needs dictate, we occasionally post open positions and run a 911 dispatcher training class. An effective 911 dispatcher must be friendly and well-spoken, possess excellent computer and typing skills, and exhibit an exemplary ability to handle many tasks at once under a great deal of stress. The training class consists of approximately three months worth of intensive classroom and practical instruction, followed by a mentorship program where the new trainees sit with more experienced dispatchers until they are able to perform the job on their own. It's not for everybody, but a career as a 911 dispatcher has a completely unique set of rewards that most of us do not find in other lines of work.

To check for available positions, check Fayette County's Employment Opportunities page.

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1. I just returned to my station and did not receive my faxed/emailed call sheet from the 911 Center. What should I do?

We know these call sheets are important to you. The whole system is computerized and issues can occur when you don’t receive the call sheet when you should have. Our computer dispatch software handles this all for us. Once we mark a police, fire or EMS provider or unit on a call, the system is designed to send the call sheet to each entity marked on the call. The system only faxes the call sheet once the whole incident is clear.

When multiple agencies are involved, a police officer may still be on scene or have someone in custody, a fire department may still be on scene for traffic control or an EMS unit may be transporting someone to the hospital. Once the last unit or station clears, the call sheet will then be automatically sent via email. Please be patient and don’t call us for a call sheet as soon as you clear. As you can see, other units may still be involved on the call.

2. With emergency personnel on scene, what is the ETA of the power/gas/water/cable company or the Pennsylvania State Police?

As per our policy in the 911 Center, the procedure states we dispatch (call them via phone with the call) state police (in state police’s jurisdiction) to a call as soon as we dispatch the providers we dispatch for. We do not ask them for an ETA at this point, nor do they provide us with one. Note that having the dispatcher continually call for an ETA ties the dispatcher up from taking an emergency call as dispatchers in the center commit to dual duties as a dispatcher and call-taker. Please feel free to program the PA State Police Uniontown Barracks (724-439-7111) or the PA State Police Belle Vernon Barracks (724-929-6262) phone numbers in your cell phone. This way we can keep the process efficient as it does not tie a dispatcher up when an emergency call may be coming in.

Also, when we notify the power/gas/water/cable company as per a first responder, we do not ask them for an ETA. We do not use special numbers to call them as we mostly use the same phone numbers provided to the public. Please don’t ask for an ETA for the power/gas/water/cable company unless it is an emergency, as we do not ask them nor do they give us one.

3. Is there a list of radio equipment that is compatible with the county public safety radio system?

Yes. You can view that list here. It is current as of April 12, 2010. If you have any questions, call Tony Alviar at 724-430-1277.

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1. What is the Rural Transportation Pilot Project for Persons with Disabilities?

This program provides shared ride services to qualified persons with a disability as defined by the Americans with Disability Act (ADA). Transportation will be provided at a discounted rate.

This program was developed to evaluate the possibility of establishing a statewide program to serve qualified individuals is rural areas of Pennsylvania. and locally, Fayette County participates in this Pilot Program. 

For more information, please visit the Fayette Area Coordinated Transportation (FACT) page.

2. Who can use this service?

Any qualified resident of Fayette County between the ages of 18 and 64, having a verified disability as defined by the Americans with Disability Act (ADA), either temporary or permanent. 

The program discount does not apply to public fixed route bus service and ADA complimentary Para transit services.

For more information please visit the Persons with Disabilities portion of the users' guide or call the Fayette Area Coordinated Transportation (FACT) program at 724-628-7433.

3. What is the schedule for trips?

Trips will be scheduled Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., excluding the following holidays: 

• New Year's Day
• Memorial Day
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Thanksgiving Day 
• Christmas Day

Some trip times and destinations may only be available on a limited basis. You may need to be flexible in terms of when and where you travel. If a trip is not available when you want it, ask what times are available. Shared Ride service is not like one person taking a taxi. 

The availability of trips depends on the number of vehicles in an area and on other trips that are scheduled. For more information please call the Fayette Area Coordinated Transportation (FACT) Transit Center at 724-628-7433.

4. Can a trip be changed?

No, once a trip has been established through the reservation, it cannot be changed, other than to cancel it. For more information please contact the Fayette Area Coordinated Transportation (FACT) program by calling 724-628-7433.

5. What if I cannot make it to my scheduled ride?

You must contact our office before 9 a.m. the day of the trip, and inform them that you must cancel your ride. To contact the office, please call 724-628-7433.

You may cancel as many times as you like without penalty.

If you fail to notify us, you will be considered a no-show. The first time this happens you will be given the courtesy of no penalty. The second time you will be required to pay the full fare of the trip before any other ride reservation can be made.

6. What if I have a complaint about service?

If you are unhappy with your shared ride experience, please share that information with us.  

We accept, investigate and follow through on consumer reports as part of continuous quality improvement. 

Complaints are accepted in person, by phone or in writing to our FACT office.  

There is also a suggestion box in the FACT Transit Center lobby and you can place your suggestion there.  For a complaint to help improve service, it must be relevant, timely and complete. We will try to respond to your concerns promptly.

For more information regarding complaints and customer service please review the Customer Service section of the users' guide.

7. How do I sign up for the program?

If you feel that you may qualify and would like to participate in this program, you must complete an eligibility and registration form.  

You will also need to provide written verification that you are a person with a disability.  If you do not have any written verification, we can send you a certificate of disability form to be completed by a professional who is familiar with your situation.

For more information, please call the Fayette Area Coordinated Transportation (FACT) Transit Center at 724-628-7433.

8. How do I schedule a trip?

Once you have been notified that you are eligible, call  Fayette Area Coordinated Transportation (FACT) at 724-628-RIDE (724-628-7433).

Reservations can be made up to 14 days in advance, but you need to call us by noon at least one working day before the day you wish to travel.

If you want to travel on a Monday, you need to make a reservation the prior Friday. When you call for a reservation, please be prepared to tell us:

• Who you are
• When you want to travel (date and time)
• Where you'd like to go

If you have any special travel needs or require the assistance of an escort or a Personal Care Attendant  (PCA), please inform a transportation information specialist at the time you make your reservation. Don't forget to ask what the fare will be, so you can have the exact change available.

9. How much does it cost to take a trip?

If eligible, you will receive an 85% discount on the shared-ride service fare. 

You will be responsible to pay the remaining 15% of the fare when boarding the transit vehicle, you will be required to have exact change for your fare.

Be certain to ask the amount of the fare when you make your reservation, for more information on making reservations and any other questions regarding the shared ride program please call the Transit Center at 724-628-7433.

Fixed route services are considered to have reasonable fares, so the 85% discount does not apply to these routes.  Only shared-ride services are eligible for the discount.

10. Can someone accompany me on my trip?

Yes, but they may need to pay the full fare for the trip. 

If you need an escort or a personal care attendant to safely assist you when entering or exiting the vehicle, then they may qualify to ride free with you.  

Personal Care Attendants, Companions, & Guide Dogs

We do not provide escorts or Personal Care Attendants.  If you want someone just to come along with you as a companion, they must pay full fare for the trip.  

Certified guide and service dogs may travel with you on the public transportation vehicles.

For more information regarding the shared ride program, please call the Transit Center at 724-628-7433.

11. Where can I go?

You can travel anywhere that shared-ride buses go. You can go to/do:

• Anything you would like to do 
• Shopping
• To a doctor's appointment 
• Visit a friend
• Work

You may travel Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.

This is a curb-to-curb service. You will be picked up at your home, transported to your destination and then returned to your home.

12. When can I travel?

Trips will be scheduled Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Trips will be scheduled during working hours excluding the following holidays: 

• New Year's Day
• Memorial Day
• Independence Day
• Labor Day 
• Thanksgiving Day 
• Christmas Day

Some trip times and destinations may only be available on a limited basis. You may need to be flexible in terms of when and where you travel. 

If a trip is not available when you want it, ask what times are available. Shared Ride service is not like one person taking a taxi, the availability of trips depends on the number of vehicles in an area and on other trips that are scheduled. For more information please contact the Fayette Area Coordinated Transportation (FACT) program by calling 724-628-7433.

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1. Are hearings open to the public?

Generally they are not open to the public, unless the child was 14 years of age or older at the time of the alleged conduct and the alleged conduct would be considered a felony if committed by an adult.

2. What is the proper attire for court?

It is recommended that people dress as formal as possible for Court.

3. Do I need to hire a lawyer for court?

A juvenile is entitled to representation by legal counsel at all stages of any proceedings and if he or she is without financial resources or otherwise unable to hire counsel, to have the Court provide counsel for him/her.

4. What is an Adjudication hearing?

The portion of a hearing wherein the Judge or Master determines if the juvenile committed the crime or any portion of the crime with which he or she is charged.

5. What are the consequences of being adjudicated delinquent?

View the Summary of Pennsylvania Juvenile Collateral Consequences Checklist (PDF) for additional information.

6. What is a Disposition hearing?

After finding that a juvenile is found delinquent on the acts alleged against him/her, the Court determines what form of treatment, supervision or rehabilitation the juvenile is in need of.

7. What is a Consent Decree?

An order of the Court which suspends the delinquent proceedings against the juvenile and places the youth under voluntary supervision in his or her home and community, under terms and conditions established by the probation department and agreed to by all parties affected.

8. What is an Informal Adjustment?

An administratively enacted supervision, typically six months in length and usually has the least amount of conditions, but can be extended for three additional months.

9. What is decided at the detention hearing?

If the juvenile shall remain in detention due to their risk to the community or themselves.

10. Can parents be held responsible for any payments?

Yes, the Court may determine the appropriateness of guardians being responsible for payments.

11. How are juvenile records expunged?

In order to expunge or destroy records a motion must be initiated, which is to take the form of a proposed Court Order, and then approved by the Court.

12. What type of cases does the Fayette County Juvenile Court have jurisdiction over?

The Juvenile Courts in Pennsylvania have authority over children between the ages of birth and 18 years of age who are in jeopardy because of their circumstances or surroundings such as children who are abandoned, abused, neglected, or with proper parental guidance or supervision, and children who may be incorrigible, runaways from home our truants. This group of children is classified as dependent children.

Children who are between the ages of 10 and 18 years of age and who are charged with committing a misdemeanor or felony offense also come under the authority of the Juvenile Act as delinquent children.

13. Are there times when a person who is under the age of 18 can be tried as an adult?

Yes. If a child is fifteen years of age or older, and he is charged with a major felony such as rape, robbery, robbery of a motor vehicle, aggravated assault, etc., and the crime is committed with the use of a deadly weapon, the person accused of this offense can be charged as an adult.

14. Do juvenile offenders in have the right to an attorney?

Yes. Since the Juvenile Court has the authority to limit or eliminate a child’s freedom, children involved with the Court as defendants are entitled to legal counsel at all stages throughout their involvement with the Court.

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1. What happens when a juvenile is referred to the Juvenile Probation Department?

After an Intake meeting with a probation officer, the juvenile and their guardian there are several directions a case could go. The determination is based largely on the cooperation or lack thereof by the juvenile.

2. May a juvenile be fingerprinted or photographed?

Yes, this is standard procedure.

3. What happens when a juvenile is detained?

A juvenile is taken into custody in order to protect the person or property of others; he/she is considered a threat to themselves; or because the juvenile may abscond.

4. Are certain cases involving juveniles handled by the District Justice?

Yes. If a child is charged only with committing a Summary offense, the case is handled by the District Justice. Summary offenses include most motor violations (except DUI, Fleeing or Eluding Police, and Homicide by Vehicle) and a number of criminal offenses such as Disorderly Conduct, Underage Drinking, and Criminal Mischief (damages less than $500) and Retail Theft (first offense less than $150).

The District Justice has the authority to find the juvenile innocent or guilty of the offense and impose fines and costs.

5. Who is responsible for paying the fines and costs assessed by the District Justice in a case involving a child?

It is the defendant’s responsibility to pay the fines and costs, and since the child is the defendant in this matter, it is the child’s responsibility.

6. Are parents responsible for paying for all of the damages caused by their children?

No. In Pennsylvania, parents are limited in the amount of restitution that they may have to pay towards damages caused by their children. For one offense, a parent’s limit is set at $1,000 and for multiple offenses; the parent’s limit of liability is set at $2,500. If the damage caused by the child exceeds the parents limit of liability, the child is solely responsible for the damages.

7. How many cases does the Fayette County Juvenile Probation Office handle?

On any given day, there are about 200 children being actively supervised by the Fayette County Juvenile Probation Office. Of this number, about 180 are living within the community with their parents or guardians while 20 are in placement at various group homes or residential facilities.

8. What are the qualifications to become a Juvenile Probation Officer?

Applicants must be at least 21 years of age, have a BA or BS from an accredited college or university with a minimum of 18 credits in the social or behavioral sciences, have a valid drivers license, and otherwise be of good character. Employments inquiries should be directed to the County’s Office of Human Services.

9. Does the Fayette County Juvenile Probation Office accept interns?

Yes. The Fayette County Juvenile Probation Office has been accepting interns from local colleges and universities for well over 35 years. College juniors or seniors interested in doing an internship should contact the office directly and ask to speak with the Chief Juvenile Probation Officer.

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1. How long does it take to get a Passport in the mail?

It takes a minimum of 4 to 6 business weeks for processing of a passport application. The fee for an expedited passport is an additional $60 (for a total of $170) and takes a minimum of 2 to 3 weeks. If a passport is needed within 14 days you must appear in person at the U.S. Customs House in Philadelphia by appointment only. Call 877-487-2778 for an appointment.

2. What do I need to bring with me to apply for a Passport?

• Precious Passport of Long Form Birth Certificate: If you have had a previous passport, you must bring it in and submit it. An expired passport can also be used as proof as citizenship, no matter how old the document is. If your passport is damaged/illegible, you must bring either the long form birth certificate or an even older passport that is not damaged as proof of citizenship. Please note that hospital birth registrations, birth notifications, and baptismal certificates are not acceptable forms of citizenship.
• Naturalization certificate if you became a naturalized citizen.
• Valid drivers license. Parent's ID will be used for minors who do not drive.
• Two 2-inch by 2-inch identical photographs. School photographs are not acceptable.
• Information required on the form: Your social security number, parents' birth date and birthplace, current or previous marriage information.

3. Are there special requirements for children?

• Children aged 15 years or younger require both parents/legal guardians consent at the time of applying. A long form birth certificate must be presented. Parental information must appear on the birth certificate. If one parent or guardian cannot be present, a statement of consent form (Number DS3053), or a comparable written statement must be presented at the time of applying and must be notarized within 90 days of the application.
• Please be sure to include a front and back copy of the non-appearing parent's ID. It must be the same ID the parent used to notarize the documentation.
• All minor children age 15 years and younger that had a previous passport are required to bring both the expired passport and the long form birth certificate.

4. What is the fee for a Passport Application?

The fee for passport application is $80 for children up to 15 years of age and $110 for ages 16 years and older. Payments must be made by check, cash or money order. A separate processing fee of $35 is required for each application. This processing fee may be paid in cash, check, or money order. This office does not accept credit or debit cards.

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1. Where is the Prothonotary Office located?

On the first floor of the Fayette County Courthouse located at:

61 E Main Street
Uniontown, PA 15401

2. How do I appeal a District Justice Judgment for money?

Individuals and businesses have 30 days from the date the judgment is entered to appeal. Only the initial form with basic information is provided. Once the appeal is filed, seek legal counsel.

3. How do I appeal a License Suspension or Registration Suspension?

Individuals have 30 days from the date of the letter from PennDOT to appeal. Consult legal counsel.

4. How do I get a satisfied lien off my credit report?

Obtain a certified copy of the satisfaction from our office and take it to or call the reporting agency, and ask what type of identification you will need. The following numbers and websites are the three major credit reporting agencies.

• Equifax: 800-685-1111
• Experian: 800-397-3742
• TransUnion: 800-888-4213

5. How do I get a lien off my credit report that is not mine?

Obtain a copy of the lien from our office, and take it to or call the listed credit reporting agencies:

• Equifax: 1-800-685-1111
• Experian: 1-800-397-3742
• TransUnion: 1-800-888-4213

6. What types of liens and judgments are filed in the Prothonotary Office?

Type of Liens

• Federal Tax Liens
• Municipal Liens
• State Tax Liens

Types of Judgements

• Confessed Judgments
• Default Judgments
• District Justice

7. How do I change my child's last name?

If the biological father's name is on the original birth certificate and the child is younger than 5 years old, you can complete the information on the back of the birth certificate and send it to the Pennsylvania Vital Statistics located in New Castle, PA. For children over the age of 5, seek legal counsel.

8. How do I apply for a passport?

Applications are available and can be processed by appointment please contact us for more information. Passports will be cut off at 4 p.m. You may also contact the Passport Information Office at 1-877-487-2778 or at Travel.State.Gov, or call 724-656-3100. Our offices are located at:

61 E Main Street
Uniontown, PA 15401

Hand Carry Passports

Please be advised that an appointment is highly recommended for a hand carry passport. The Prothonotary’s Office reserves the right to deny the process of a hand carry passport on a basis of volume of civil work that the office is experiencing and the supply staff.

Passports (Excluding Hand Carry)

All other passports do not require an appointment at the Prothonotary’s Office; however, we suggest that if multiple passports are needed for a family to please arrive at the Prothonotary’s Office by 3:30. Please have the passport application completed prior.

9. What year do the Naturalizations Records start in your office?

Late 1700s.

10. Can I get a certified birth certificate in the Prothonotary's Office?

No. However, applications to obtain a certified birth certificate are available in this Office. You may call us at 724-656-3100, or you may visit the Pennsylvania Health Department website.

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1. How do I go about getting a public defender to represent me?

Once you have been arrested or received your criminal complaint in the mail, you must come and apply in person for legal services.

2. What documents do I need to bring with me when applying for a public defender?

Always bring your criminal complaint, verification of income and photo identification.

3. What if the person seeking representation is currently incarcerated?

The public defender's office has a full-time investigator that makes daily visits to the prison and will assist the inmate with the application.

4. What should I do if I don't meet the guidelines for a public defender?

Since the services of the public defender are limited to those who cannot afford legal representation, it is recommended that you contact the Fayette County Lawyer Referral System at 1-800-692-7375.

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1. Can I prepare my own deed?

We suggest that you have someone with experience in the field prepare it for you to make sure it is correct. Attorneys can perform this service for you. Employees for the Recorder of Deeds Office cannot and will not prepare deeds for you.

2. How do I replace a lost or destroyed deed?

You can obtain a certified copy in our office.

3. Are deeds and other documents all returned to the rightful owner?

The original deeds are returned as instructed at the time of recording, and this will be noted on the document.

4. How do I change, add or delete a name on a deed?

This can only be done by recording a new deed showing the change. Many people think they can come to our office and change the present deed on record. However, once a document or deed is recorded, it cannot be altered or changed in any way. A new deed is needed and can be prepared for you by your attorney.

5. Is it necessary to delete a deceased spouse’s name on a deed?

Please consult your attorney with this type of situation. There could be a special instance when, because of a particular legal situation, the name of the deceased spouse should be deleted. Generally, if the property was held jointly by husband and wife as tenants by entirety. If and when the widow/widower sells or mortgages the property, he or she simply explains in the new deed or mortgage that the other spouse is now deceased.

6. Must I record a deed?

No. A deed is binding even if it is not recorded. However, for numerous reasons, it is in your best interest to record it. One good reason: the former owner can go on getting mortgages, judgments and suits on your property, since records in the Office would show that he/she still owns it.

7. If I build a house on my lot, do I get a new deed for the house?

No. The original deed usually covers any buildings erected on the lot at a later date. Check your deed for exceptions.

8. If I find a mistake in my deed, how do I correct it?

Usually, the same way you change a name - by recording a new deed. In this case, it would be known as a "Deed of Correction." Contact your title company or attorney in this type of situation.

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1. How far back do your records go?

Our records begin in 1784. We were part of Westmoreland County before that date.

2. What kind of documents are recorded in the Recorder of Deeds Office?

The following types of documents are recorded in our office:

• Adjudications
• Agreements including Easement, Right of Way, Oil and Gas, and other types of agreements
• All Deeds
• All Mortgages, including mortgage assignments, extensions, releases, and postponements
• Articles of Agreement for sale of land
• Charters of non-profit corporations
• Declarations of trust
• Decrees awarding real estate or quieting titles to real estate
• Election to take against will
• Leases
• Military Services Discharges (DD-214)
• Notice of Bankruptcy
• Oath, bond and commission for notaries public, county officers and all others who receive their commissions for the State
• Plans
• Powers of Attorney
• Releases
• Satisfaction Pieces
• Secured Transactions
• Severance agreements

For a complete list of documents and recording fees, visit our Fee Schedule page.

3. How do documents get recorded in the Recorder of Deeds Office?

All papers presented to us for recording must be original documents, properly executed, signed, dated and acknowledged before a Notary Public with the notary’s signature and date of expiration of the commission, before they can be accepted for recording. The use of a embossed notary seal is now optional for PA acknowledgements. All recordings fees and transfer taxes are payable at the time of recording.

If the document has met all the necessary requirements, the office will accept it for recording. It will be assigned an Instrument Number, a Volume and Page number. The document will also be printed with the time of recording, price, and other information. The instrument, volume and page number will be printed on each page. Then the recorder’s certification will be stamped on the document as well. Receipts are issued at the time of recording.

If the necessary requirements have not been met, the document will be rejected for recording until it is corrected. View a complete list of recording requirements. Please note that the recording of any document is not an approval of the contents of that document. The Recorder’s Office merely records what is presented to us and in no way do we certify that the contents are correct.

When documents have been officially recorded, they are scanned and indexed into the office’s computer system. Documents are then available to the public on our public search stations that are located in the office. Documents recorded before January 1, 2001 are available in books in the office. Learn more about accessing these documents online.

The original documents are returned to the address that is noted on the document at the time of recording. Documents are returned after all necessary recording procedures have been completed.

4. Can I obtain a copy of a record?

Yes. Our index and images are now available for most documents using the U.S. Land Records website. The index for most documents from 1950 to present is a free search. The images for most documents from 1950 to present are a pay per access service.

You are welcome to come into the office for copies. They are 50 cents per page. You can print a copy for most documents from 1975 to present using the search stations available in the office. You will pick up the copy from our staff. They will also be available to make copies of the records prior to 1975.

In 2017 we added the Archive Viewer to our public stations and online as explained above. Certified copies are 50 cents per page, plus $3 for the certification.

5. If I have an address, can I find out how owns the property?

In the recorder of deeds office we index by name. We have a legal description and municipality also indexed. The physical address or the tax assessment parcel number is not usually on the documents.

We suggest you visit the Fayette County Tax Assessment Property Search webpage, and for current information, visit the Tax Assessment Office Mapping Room, or call them at 724-430-1350, ext. 229.

6. How do I find out who currently owns the property surrounding my property?

We do have plans in the Recorder of Deeds Office. Plans are indexed by the property owner's name and municipality. Not everyone has a plan, subdivision, survey or map filed in our office. Please visit the Fayette County Tax Assessment Property Search webpage, and for current information, visit the Tax Assessment Office Mapping Room, or call them at 724-430-1350, ext. 229.

Once you have found your information at the Assessment Office, make sure you have a list of names of the surrounding property owners, the Deed Book and Page numbers or Record Book and Page numbers of those deeds so you can continue to search in our office.

7. How can I get information on subdivisions?

Subdivisions are recorded in our office. We will be glad to show you how to use our indexes to look at the ones on file. Other questions not dealing with recorded subdivisions can be directed to Planning Zoning and Community Development. You can visit the Office of Planning, Zoning and Community Development on the fourth floor of Fayette County Courthouse, or call at 724-430-1210.

8. How do I know if there is a lien or judgment on my property?

We do not file liens or judgments in our office, but we do record mortgages that might be part of what you are looking for. The information you can view in our office will include the name of the person, the institution they borrowed from, the amount they borrowed, what property the mortgage is on, and if the mortgage is satisfied. To find information on a lien or judgment, visit the Prothonotary's Office on the first floor of the Fayette County Courthouse, or call the office at 724-430-1272.

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1. What is done with Mortgages after recording?

In most situations Mortgages are returned to the mortgagee (bank or financial institution lending the money). If we have been instructed otherwise, it will be noted on the document. The mortgagor is the party receiving the loan and is usually the purchaser of the property being transferred. Generally, the original mortgage will eventually be returned to the mortgagor, by the mortgagee, when the final payment is made to the lender, and after a Satisfaction is recorded.

2. How is a mortgage satisfied?

A document called a Mortgage Satisfaction Piece is recorded in our office. All the information on this document must match the mortgage exactly.

3. Who satisfies a mortgage?

This action must be initiated by the mortgagee (lender). The mortgagee may send the actual forms to you when you make your final payment. Contact your lender to see how it will be handled.

4. What do I do if satisfaction papers are sent to me?

Bring or mail the original mortgage and the Satisfaction Piece to our office with the proper fee.

5. What if the original mortgage was lost or destroyed?

Lost or destroyed mortgages may be satisfied using a certified copy secured from our office.

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1. What is the Real Estate Transfer Tax?

There is a State Tax and a Municipal Tax each amounting to 1% of the value of the property or interest being conveyed. The value could be the sale price or the fair market value of the property.

2. Who pays the Transfer Tax?

In most sales agreements, the seller and the buyer split the tax. However, the new owner is responsible if there is any question over the amount of tax paid. The Recorder of Deeds Office will not accept a deed unless the tax is paid at the time of recording. The State and Local Governments do not care who pays the tax as long as it is paid.

3. Are any transactions exempt?

Yes. Conveyances between husband and wife, parent and child, grandparent and grandchild, and brothers and sisters are exempt. A deed between ex-spouses is also exempted. There are also other exemptions that are allowed in certain situations. It is best to consult your attorney to find out what these exemptions are. For questions about transfer tax, you may contact the email resource account for the PA Department of Revenue Realty Transfer Tax division

   ra-bitrealtytransfertax@pa.gov.

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1. Am I eligible?

If your land meets the minimum qualifications, it may be eligible to be taxed based on its "use value" rather than its "market value." There are three land classes that may qualify for a preferential assessment.

Agricultural Use

To be eligible for this category, you must meet the following qualifications:

• Own ten or more acres of contiguous land. (If less than 10 acres, you must show that the land does generate or will generate $2,000 gross income per year.)
• You must have farmed the land during the preceding 3 years.

Agricultural Reserve

To be eligible for this category, you must meet the following qualifications:

• Do not charge a fee for the use of the land.
• Do not post "No Trespassing" signs or discriminate against persons using the land.
• Make the land available to the public for outdoor recreation or for the enjoyment of scenic or natural beauty.
• Own 10 or more acres of contiguous land. 
• Use the land for noncommercial purposes.

Forest Reserve

To be eligible for this category, you must meet the following qualifications:

• Own ten or more acres of contiguous land.
• The land is stocked by forest trees of any size and is capable of producing timber or other wood products

2. What if I sell my land?

What happens if you enroll in Clean and Green, then wish to sell all of your land to another person. Will the sale trigger a rollback tax?

A transfer of land to another owner will not trigger a rollback tax if the contiguous area of the land enrolled in Clean & Green is not divided. If the buyer changes the use to one that is not eligible for the program, then the buyer pays the rollback tax, because the person who changed the use is responsible.

If you wish to subdivide or sell part of your land, there are special considerations for "separation" or "split-off."  These actions may or may not trigger a rollback tax, depending on the situation.

3. How do I enroll?

Cost

There is a $50 one-time, non-refundable application fee per property. There is also a recording fee of $17 for 4 pages and 4 names. The recording fee will be refunded if the application is denied.

Deadline

The deadline is June 1st. The application shall be effective the tax year commencing the calendar year immediately following the deadline. In years when a county implements a countywide reassessment, the deadline is October 15th.

Request an application, in writing, by telephone, or in person from the Fayette County Assessment Office. 

Application

Download a copy (PDF) of the application form.

For more information, you may obtain official publications from your state representative or online.