PA DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES

The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services’s seven program offices administer services that provide care and support to Pennsylvania's most vulnerable citizens.

Through the department's Office of Medical Assistance Programs, the department is responsible for purchasing health care for more than 2.3 million Pennsylvania residents and enrolling Medical Assistance providers who administer the care. The Office of Medical Assistance programs works closely with these providers to process their claims, establish rates and fees, and contract and monitor managed care organizations. Additionally, the department works to ensure the integrity of these programs, in part by detecting and deterring provider and recipient fraud and abuse.

The department's Office of Developmental Programs works with individuals and families to provide supportive services and care for people with cognitive disabilities, especially intellectual disabilities and disorders falling in the autism spectrum. Additionally, the Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services administers programs to support people suffering from mental illness or substance abuse issues, such as a drug or alcohol addiction.

Children are a big part of the Department of Human Services and the department's Office of Children Youth and Families serves children and families through a nationally recognized child support enforcement program, oversees adoption and foster care services, and works with counties on child abuse prevention and juvenile justice issues.

Through the Office of Income Maintenance, the department serves low-income Pennsylvanians through cash assistance programs such as Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, or TANF; employment and training programs; the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formally known as food stamps; home heating assistance; and assistance programs for refugees and the homeless. Many of these services are delivered through more than 90 county assistance offices located across Pennsylvania.

The Department of Human Services also works closely with other state agencies who serve similar populations. The department partners with the Pennsylvania Department of Aging through the Office of Long-Term Living. This office addresses the solutions and challenges of housing and caring for older adults. Also, in a joint partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Education, the Office of Child Development and Early Learning serves children and families in early learning, subsidized child care and early intervention programs for at-risk children.

The Department of Human Services also licenses and regulates thousands of facilities that care for many Pennsylvanians, including child care centers and personal care homes. In doing so, the department strives toward independent living for those who are able and community living in the least restrictive environment for those in need of assistance in daily living.

The mission of the Department of Human Services:

Our mission is to improve the quality of life for Pennsylvania’s individuals and families. We promote opportunities for independence through services and supports while demonstrating accountability for taxpayer resources.

Secretary of the Department of Human Services Teresa D. Miller

The Department of Human Services consists of six executive level offices and seven different program offices. All of the offices, and the deputies in charge of them are listed below.

If you are looking to contact the department please call us at 1-800-692-7462.

Executive Offices:
Executive Deputy Secretary Brendan Harris
Office of Administration Jay Bausch
Office of the Budget David Spishock
Office of Children’s Health Insurance Program Tracie Gray, Acting
Office of General Counsel Doris M. Leisch
Office of Legislative Affairs Abdoul R. Barry
Office of Policy Development Jen DeBell
Office of Press and Communications Kait Gillis
Office of Social Programs Karen Herrling

Program Offices:

Office of Child Development and Early Learning    Michelle Figlar
Office of Children, Youth and Families   Cathy Utz
Office of Developmental Programs Nancy Thaler
Office of Income Maintenance Lourdes Padilla
Office of Long Term Living Jen Burnett
Office of Medical Assistance Programs   Leesa Allen
Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services

OUR MISSION AND GOALS:

Service - We will provide responsive, timely, and quality service to consumers and stakeholders (families, providers, advocates, employees and business partners).

Partnership - We will recognize the needs of consumers and stakeholders through the use of open and public input and feedback processes.

Stewardship - We will be prudent and efficient in our use of public resources. Innovation - We will seek and adopt creative solutions to improve performance.

Respect - We will value different perspectives, and appreciate the contributions of all consumers, stakeholders and employees.

GOALS:

To implement mandatory managed care statewide.
To expand home and community based services.
To improve the quality of services to consumers and providers in all our health care delivery systems.
To improve our technology infrastructure by supporting H-Net Development and re-designing MAMIS.

Office of Child Development and Early Learning

The Department of Human Services also works closely with other state agencies who serve similar populations .Also, in a joint partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Education, the Office of Child Development and Early Learning serves children and families in early learning, subsidized child care and early intervention programs for at-risk children.

Office of Developmental Programs

The department's Office of Developmental Programs works with individuals and families to provide supportive services and care for people with cognitive disabilities, especially intellectual disabilities and disorders falling in the autism spectrum

Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services

The Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services administers programs to support people suffering from mental illness or substance abuse issues, such as a drug or alcohol addiction.

Office of Income Maintenance

Through the Office of Income Maintenance, the department serves low-income Pennsylvanians through cash assistance programs such as Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, or TANF; employment and training programs; the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formally known as food stamps; home heating assistance; and assistance programs for refugees and the homeless. Many of these services are delivered through more than 90 county assistance offices located across Pennsylvania.

Office of Long Term Living

The Department of Human Services also works closely with other state agencies who serve similar populations. The department partners with the Pennsylvania Department of Aging through the Office of Long-Term Living. This office addresses the solutions and challenges of housing and caring for older adults.

Office of Children, Youth and Families

Children are a big part of the Department of Human Services and the department's Office of Children Youth and Families serves children and families through a nationally recognized child support enforcement program, oversees adoption and foster care services, and works with counties on child abuse prevention and juvenile justice issues.

Office of Medical Assistance Programs

Through the department's Office of Medical Assistance Programs, the department is responsible for purchasing health care for more than 2.3 million Pennsylvania residents and enrolling Medical Assistance providers who administer the care. The Office of Medical Assistance programs works closely with these providers to process their claims, establish rates and fees, and contract and monitor managed care organizations. Additionally, the department works to ensure the integrity of these programs, in part by detecting and deterring provider and recipient fraud and abuse.

The Department of Human Services also licenses and regulates thousands of facilities that care for many Pennsylvanians, including child care centers and personal care homes. In doing so, the department strives toward independent living for those who are able and community living in the least restrictive environment for those in need of assistance in daily living.