PITTSBURGH, PA (May 17, 2021) Dr. Sheila Roth, PhD, LCSW, EMT, who is the Director of Carlow University’s Masters of Social Work program, is joining the City’s Office of Community Health and Safety as the Continuum of Support Program Manager. Dr. Roth will oversee the social work and support professionals working in the community and work with local partners and Public Safety to evaluate national best practices in co-response, crisis prevention, and post-engagement care as part of the Public Safety continuum. Dr. Roth will collaborate directly with the community, providers, and Public Safety professionals to strengthen the continuum of support in the city with a focus on ensuring that the “right responder” works with residents.
"We are pleased to announce that Dr. Roth is joining the Office of Community Health and Safety team,” said Mayor William Peduto. “She has an impressive and longstanding record for her local leadership in social work and commitment to community health, safety and equity throughout the city of Pittsburgh. Dr. Roth understands the needs of our communities, our social workers, and our first responders to help create a more effective continuum of support for our residents.”
Dr. Roth began her career as a hospital-based social worker and has 35 years of experience working in the health and mental health care fields. She was a founding member of Carlow University’s Bachelors of Social Work Program in 1993 and co-developer of Carlow’s Master’s of Social Work (MSW) Program in 2018. Dr. Roth will remain the Director of the MSW program at Carlow, and will build partnerships with academic partners, local students, and professionals to provide community support.
“We’re honored to have Dr. Roth serve our city in this role,” said Carlow University President Suzanne Mellon, PhD. “It is such a vital time for Pittsburgh to pursue equity, something we’ve long focused on at Carlow. We look forward to Dr. Roth's strong leadership in this role and how this partnership opportunity will further our collective equity efforts.”
Dr. Roth also brings to this new role 30 years of experience in behavioral health practice at the University of Pittsburgh’s Center for Emergency Medicine. Dr. Roth is a behavioral health member of the Allegheny County/City of Pittsburgh Critical Incident Stress Management team, a guest instructor in the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police’s Academy, and a certified EMT with 5 years of volunteer work with a local EMS service.
