The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is the federal government’s organization that oversees critical public service policies, agencies and systems. The HHS oversees the operational management, policy development and standards enforcement of public health related services and programs. The HHS ensures that individuals, families and communities receive and maintain adequate levels of health, social dignity and economic well-being. The HHS emphasizes preventive measures to avoid high costs and reduce the need for cumbersome public service processes.
Program Integration
The HHS strives to integrate the powers, duties, functions and obligations of various human services and public health related boards, councils, committees and commissions. These may include the state’s departments of aging, services for the blind, medical assistance, developmental disabilities, rural health, child development, social services, health service regulation and vocational rehabilitation. The organizations that the HHS collaborates with to standardize processes and programs include respite care programs, governor’s advisory councils, commissions for the disable, professional advisory committees, consumer advocacy committees, medical care commissions, child day care programs and private emergency medical services.
Diversity
The HHS oversees program collaboration between programs to promote equity and diversity. For example, they oversee and encourage social service agencies to collaborate with state-level Indian Affairs and Child Welfare programs. The goal is to enable local tribes, tribal councils and other tribal organizations to receive support when Indian children are placed in foster care or exist the child protective services system. The HHS establishes policies pertinent to the placement of Indian children in state foster care or adoption program. The HHS helps to set up agreements that specify how Native American adults might be identified and recruited to become foster care and adoptive parents.
Contracts and Nonprofits
The Department of Health and Human Services contracts with all types of governmental agencies, private associations and commercial corporations. They set contractual standards regarding the accomplishment of responsibilities, the expenditure of funds and the behaviors that are prohibited by law. The HHS contracts with local, county and state government agencies and organizations for the purpose of maintaining public health and service programs. The HHS also works with private nonprofit organizations by providing financial assistance, voluntary support and in-house training. They may help with purchasing supplies, equipment and physical space.
Rule Enforcement
The HHS creates, adopts and executes rules that are applicable to local health and human services agencies. They may implement new rules for the purposes of fiscal audits, program evaluations and payment collections. For example, they may implement new rules regarding the placement of disabled individuals in licensed facilities and the evaluation of new community programs. They may monitor and evaluate mental health, developmental disability and substance abuse services. They maintain communication procedures between authorities, state programs and local departments of social services.
Mental Health and Substance Abuse
The HHS oversees mental health and substance abuse services. They have the power to create and enforce new standards and employee duties. These may be related to substance abuse program regulations. This could include screening, education, prevention, intervention, assessment, referral, detoxification, treatment, rehabilitation and case management regulations. The HHS implements regulations to promote the amelioration and elimination of mental illnesses and substance abuse problems. The HHS may set specific rules regarding admission into inpatient treatment centers, which may include the designation of treatment and professional care standards.
The Department of Health and Human Services also is involved in public research and program improvement initiatives. Anyone who wants a job HHS can visit their career site.
