The Department of Human Services

One of the largest and most impactful agencies in the realm of Human Services is your State’s Department of Human Services. The Department of Human Services is a vast umbrella agency that includes many sub-departments which help people across a broad spectrum of needs. In most states it is the largest and most comprehensive Human Services related department and has a tremendous impact on the citizens of the state. Virtually all aid programs that emanate from the government are included under the auspices of the Department of Human Services.

For a list of department of human services by state please visit our resources page.

One of the most important duties of the Department of Human Services is to administer Federal and local programs that aid people who are in some sort of financial or other distress. Whether it is in the form of the Employment Department assisting people in getting their unemployment benefits or the Child Welfare department working to keep children safe, the Department of Human Services provides critical services to the local community.

The Department of Human Services is perhaps best known for the Federal programs it administers such as Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (formerly known as Food Stamps), Medicaid or Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (formerly known as Welfare). The Department of Human Services also works with the Elderly and helps to coordinate with other departments such as Social Security to make sure the needs of elders are met.

The Department of Human Services stands at the center of assisting community members in need and works with its public and private partners to ensure that the critical needs of their community members are met. Acting as a vital safety net for the community the Department of Human Services is there to promote community safety, access to food and medical care and the welfare of adults and children.