Summary
The Secretary of Health and Human Resources oversees twelve state agencies which provide often-vital services to Virginians. Individuals with disabilities, the aging community, low-income working families, children, caregivers and the provider network are supported through the work of this Secretariat.
In addition, our agencies license health practitioners and ensure safe drinking water in the Commonwealth.
OnAir Post: Secretary of Health and Human Resources
About
Contact
Email: Secretary
Locations
Office of the Secretary of Health and Human Resources
Patrick Henry Building
1111 East Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23219
Phone: (804) 786-7765
Fax: (804) 786-3389
Web Links
Agencies
Assistive Technology Loan Fund Authority
Source: Website
The Assistive Technology Loan Fund Authority offers low interest loans for a variety of special equipment to eligible applicants. The interest rate is normally well below normal market rates, and loans are available with no down payment and longer terms which reduces monthly payments. These low interest loans are made through our financial partner (SunTrust), are guaranteed through our financial partner, or are direct loans made by the Assistive Technology Loan Fund Authority.
Virginia Board for People with Disabilities
Source: Website
The Virginia Board for People with Disabilities (VBPD) serves as the Developmental Disabilities Planning Council for addressing the needs of people with developmental disabilities as established under the federal “Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act” and the state “Virginians with Disabilities Act.” The Board provides opportunities for people with disabilities and family members to participate in planning and evaluating the delivery of disability services.
Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services
Source: Website
The Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services focuses on improving the response to seniors and Virginians with disabilities who need some aid in maintaining their options for independence, safety and employment. DARS provides and advocates for the highest quality of services to help older Virginians and those with disabilities maximize and secure their employment, independence and full inclusion into society and guide the Commonwealth in preparing for an aging population. At the state level, this agency works with its community partners to enhance effectiveness in strategic planning, budgeting, program monitoring and evaluation, and training and technical support.
Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services
Source: Website
The Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) provides leadership in the direction and development of public mental health, intellectual disability and substance abuse services. This leadership involves: obtaining and allocating resources to Community Services Boards (CSBs) and state facilities in an effective and efficient manner; monitoring field operations; providing technical assistance and consultation; promoting client advocacy; systems planning; regulating and licensing programs and maintaining relationships with other human resource agencies.
Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired
Source: Website
The Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired (DBVI) is guided by their mission: to enable blind, visually impaired, and deafblind individuals to achieve their maximum level of employment, education, and personal independence. To assist individuals in achieving economic independence, the Department provides vocational assessments and training, job development, placement and follow-up. Residential and home instruction is provided in independent living, orientation and mobility, counseling, Braille, and training in the use of various adaptive technologies. DBVI collaborates with public school systems to assist in the education of blind, deafblind and visually impaired students. The Department also provides employment options for blind persons through the Business Enterprises and Virginia Industries for the Blind and its satellite store operations.
Virginia Department for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (
Source: Website
The Virginia Department for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (VDDHH) operates with the full understanding that communication is the most critical issue facing persons who are deaf or hard of hearing. VDDHH works to reduce the communication barriers between persons who are deaf or hard of hearing and their families and the professionals who serve them. The foundation of all programs at VDDHH is communication – both as a service (through interpreters, technology and other modes) and as a means of sharing information for public awareness (through training and education).
Virginia Department of Health
Source: Website
The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) operates by their mission to achieve and maintain optimum personal and community health by emphasizing health promotion, disease prevention, and environmental protection.
Virginia Department of Health Professions
Source: Website
The Virginia Department of Health Professions (DHP) works to assure the safe and competent delivery of health care to the citizens of the Commonwealth of Virginia through the process of examining, licensing and disciplining health care practitioners governed by one of the 13 state health care boards.
Department of Medical Assistance Services
Source: Website
The Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) strives to provide a system of high quality comprehensive health services to qualifying Virginians and their families. DMAS works to ensure that program integrity is maintained in the array of preventive, acute and long-term care services it provides, and that fraud, abuse, and waste are detected and eliminated to the maximum extent possible. DMAS encourages beneficiaries to take responsibility for improving their health outcomes and achieve greater self-sufficiency.
Virginia Department of Social Services
Source: Website
The Virginia Department of Social Services (DSS) operates under their mission: to serve Virginia’s citizens in need by providing services that nurture human dignity; creating and maintaining a stable environment for the children and families in Virginia; promoting responsible parenting; establishing the infrastructure that allows for the delivery of services at the local level; and fostering independence.
Office of Children’s Services
Source: Website
The Office of Children’s Services provides the highest quality information and support to the public, state government partners, and local CSA programs in the spirit of “empowering communities to serve youth.”
Formerly known as the Comprehensive Services Act (CSA)
Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth
Source: Website
The Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth (VFHY), formerly known as the Virginia Tobacco Settlement Foundation, was established by the Virginia General Assembly to reduce and prevent youth tobacco use and childhood obesity. VFHY promotes healthy living habits to children and teens in Virginia through a variety of methods, including: classroom programs; a multimedia youth marketing campaign; cutting-edge research; and funding enforcement of Virginia’s tobacco-access laws.
