The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is a principal department of state of Michigan, headquartered in Lansing, that provides public assistance, child and family welfare services, and oversees health policy and management.

Additionally, the MDHHS oversees Michigan's child and adult protective services, foster care, adoptions, juvenile justice, domestic violence, and child support programs. The MDHHS also licenses adult foster care, child day care and child welfare facilities.

History In April 2015, the Department of Human Services (DHS) was merged with the Department of Community Health (DCH) to create the Department of Health and Human Services.

Department of Human Services Initially called the Department of Social Services, DHS was created in 1965 and went through several rounds of name changes until 2004, when it was renamed to the Department of Human Services.Section 450 of the Executive Organization Act of 1965, 1965 PA 380, MCL 16.550

In August 2007, Governor Jennifer Granholm named Ismael Ahmed to replace Marianne Udow as department director effective September 10, 2007.

100 employees were laid off due to budget cuts in January 2015.

In January 2021, Governor Whitmer named Elizabeth Hertel as department director. Hertel was serving as the Chief Deputy of Administration at MDHHS from 2019 until she was appointed as Director.

Department of Community Health The Department of Community Health was created in 1996 through an executive order merging Department of Public Health (as Community Public Health Agency), Department of Mental Health, Medical Services Administration from the Department of Social Services, responsibility for Liquor Control Commission, Licensing, Monitoring and Accreditation and Division of Occupational Health from Department of Commerce, Food Service Sanitation from the Department of Agriculture and many functions of Department of Social Services.

Merger The merger of the Department of Human Services (DHS) and the Department of Community Health was announced by Governor Rick Snyder during his 2015 State of the State address.

Programs The department has several agencies and programs operating under its management.

Women, Infants & Children (WIC)

The Women, Infants & Children program is a supplemental nutrition program offered to children through age five years, those pregnant, breastfeeding, and post-partum.  The program offers a monthly food package, breastfeeding information, access to a registered dietician, among other resources to provide healthy nutrition.

Cash Assistance Children's Special Health Services Emergency Relief for Home, Utilities, and Burial Food Assistance Program The Food Assistance Program (FAP) is the state-administered public assistance program which provides the federally funded Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to eligible Michigan residents. Eligibility for FAP is determined by expenses, asset limits, income, and residency requirements. Clients are given a Michigan Bridge Card which is loaded on a monthly basis. FAP recipients may use their benefits at participating retailers throughout the state, as well as select retailers online. Additionally, the free nutrition education and physical activity promotion Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed) is offered to those who receive or are eligible for SNAP, therefore FAP, benefits. Health Care Coverage Medicaid Migrant Services Housing and Homeless Services Low-Income Households Water Assistance Program Refugee Assistance Adult & Children's Services Hope For A Home program, which includes both Foster Care and Adoption services to help children find a much needed home. Abuse & Neglect service allows anyone who is dealing with abuse or neglect, or suspects someone is dealing with abuse or neglect, to report it. All it takes is a call to the number 855-444-3911.

Epidemiology The Bureau of Epidemiology and Population Health is under the purview of the MDHHS. Past Chief Epidemiologists of Michigan include Professor Matthew Boulton of the University of Michigan.

Bureau of Juvenile Justice

The Bureau of Juvenile Justice is responsible for the operation of juvenile correctional facilities."Juvenile Justice." Michigan Department of Human Services. Retrieved on July 25, 2010.

Facilities include: Bay Pines Center"Bay Pines Center." Michigan Department of Human Services. Retrieved on July 25, 2010. Shawono Center (Boys adjudicated for sex offenses)"Shawono Center." Michigan Department of Human Services. Retrieved on July 25, 2010.

Former facilities: W.J. Maxey Boys Training School"W.J. Maxey Boys Training School." Michigan Department of Human Services. Retrieved on July 25, 2010. (Closed October 1, 2015)

Districts The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is divided into 43 districts to service the 84 counties. Allegan County Health Department: Allegan Barry-Eaton District Health Department: Barry and Eaton Bay County Health Department: Bay Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department: Benzie and Leelanau Berrien County Health Department: Berrien Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency: Branch, Hillsdale and St. Joseph Calhoun County Public Health Department: Calhoun Central Michigan District Health Department: Arenac, Clare, Gladwin, Isabella, Osceola and Roscommon Chippewa County Health Department: Chippewa Dickinson-Iron District Health Department: Dickinson and Iron District Health Department #2: Alcona, Iosco, Ogemaw, and Oscoda District Health Department #4: Alpena, Cheboygan, Montmorency, and Presque Isle District Health Department #10: Crawford, Kalkaska, Lake, Manistee, Mason, Mecosta, Missaukee, Newaygo, Oceana, and Wexford Genesee County Health Department: Genesee Grand Traverse County Health Department: Grand Traverse Health Department of Northwest Michigan: Antrim, Charlevoix, Emmet, and Otsego Huron County Health Department: Huron Ingham County Health Department: Ingham Ionia County Health Department: Ionia Jackson County Health Department: Jackson Kalamazoo County Health & Community Services Department: Kalamazoo Kent County Health Department: Kent Lapeer County Health Department: Lapeer Livingston County Health Department: Livingston Luce-Mackinac-Alger-Schoolcraft District Health Department: Alger, Luce, Mackinac and Schoolcraft Macomb County Health Department: Macomb Marquette County Health Department: Marquette Mid-Michigan District Health Department: Clinton, Gratiot and Montcalm Midland County Health Department: Midland Monroe County Health Department: Monroe Oakland County Health Division: Oakland Ottawa County Department of Public Health: Ottawa Public Health, Delta & Menominee Counties: Delta and Menominee Public Health – Muskegon County: Muskegon Saginaw County Health Department: Saginaw Sanilac County Health Department: Sanilac Shiawassee County Health Department: Shiawassee St. Clair County Health Department: St. Clair Tuscola County Health Department: Tuscola Van Buren/Cass District Health Department: Cass and Van Buren Washtenaw County Health Department: Washtenaw Wayne County Department of Health, Veterans & Community Wellness: Wayne Western Upper Peninsula Health Department: Baraga, Gogebic, Houghton, Keweenaw, and Ontonagon

References

External links Michigan Department of Human Services