The California Health and Human Services Agency (CHHS) is a state government agency responsible for managing and coordinating the delivery of health and social services to California residents. With a mission to promote, protect, and improve the health and well-being of Californians, CHHS works in collaboration with various state and local agencies, public and private stakeholders, and community-based organizations to provide high-quality, cost-effective, and accessible services to its diverse population. The agency oversees more than a dozen departments, including the Department of Public Health, Department of Health Care Services, and Department of Social Services, among others, to ensure that the needs of Californians are met efficiently and effectively. Through its comprehensive range of health and human services programs, CHHS strives to improve the lives of individuals, families, and communities across the state.
Health And Human Services Agency California Department Of Social Services
The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) is a state agency responsible for administering programs and services related to social welfare and health in California. It is a part of the Health and Human Services Agency, which also includes the Departments of Health Care Services and Public Health.
The CDSS is responsible for administering a wide range of programs, including but not limited to:
– CalFresh (formerly known as Food Stamps)
– CalWORKs (California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids)
– In-home supportive services (IHSS)
– Foster care and adoptions
– Child care services
– Refugee services
– Adult protective services
The CDSS also provides oversight to county welfare departments, which are responsible for implementing and administering these programs at the local level.
The agency’s mission is to promote the well-being of individuals, families, and communities. It strives to do this by providing support and services to those in need, including low-income individuals and families, seniors, disabled individuals, and children in foster care.
The CDSS works closely with other state agencies and community organizations to ensure that individuals can access the services and support they need to thrive. Its goal is to build stronger, healthier communities throughout California.
California Health and Human Services Agency
- Mark Ghaly, Secretary
The California Health and Human Services Agency (CHHS) is the state agency tasked with administration and oversight of “state and federal programs for health care, social services, public assistance and rehabilitation” in the U.S. state of California. The agency is headed by the Secretary of the California Health and Human Services Agency, with headquarters in Sacramento. Many of the laws in the California Health and Safety Codes are enforced by it.
On March 6, 2019, Governor Gavin Newsom nominated Mark Ghaly, MD, MPH to be Secretary of CHHS. The California State Senate unanimously confirmed Ghaly on June 17, 2019. Ghaly previously served as the director of health and social impact for Los Angeles County, deputy director of the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, and medical director of the San Francisco Department of Public Health’s Southeast Health Center. Ghaly earned his doctorate of medicine degree from Harvard Medical School and a master of public health degree from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
CHHS was created from a reorganization of other California agencies, including the California Health and Welfare Agency which included the California Department of Health Services.
Organization
The agency is divided into various departments and boards:
- California Department of Aging
- California Department of Child Support Services
- California Department of Community Services and Development
- California Department of Developmental Services
- California Emergency Medical Services Authority
- California Department of Health Care Services
- California Department of Managed Health Care
- California Managed Risk Medical Insurance Board
- California Department of Public Health
- California Department of Rehabilitation
- California Department of Social Services
- California Department of State Hospitals
- CONREP
- California Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development
- California Office of Health Information Integrity (CalOHII)
- California Office of Law Enforcement Support
- California Office of the Patient Advocate – originally created in 2000, it conducts consumer education, provides quality of care scorecards, and reports on consumer questions and complaints
- California Office of Systems Integration
- Office of the California Surgeon General
History
The agency was originally created in 1961 by Government Code section 12800 as the Human Relations Agency, and renamed to the Health and Welfare Agency in 1972 to and again to its current name in 1998.
References
External links
- Official website
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- Business, Consumer Services and Housing
- Government Operations
- Environmental Protection
- Health and Human Services
- Labor and Workforce Development
- Natural Resources
- Transportation

- Corrections and Rehabilitation
- Education
- Finance
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- Consumer Affairs
- Board of Accountancy
- Bureau of Automotive Repair
- Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education
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- Contractors State License Board
- Medical Board
- Fair Employment and Housing
- Housing and Community Development
- Business Oversight
- Real Estate
- Alcoholic Beverage Control
- Alcoholic Beverage Control Appeals Board
- Horse Racing Board
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- Franchise Tax Board
- FI$CAL
- General Services
- Human Resources
- State Personnel Board
- Tax and Fee Administration
- Technology
- Office of Administrative Law
- Complete Count Committee
- Victim Compensation Board
- Air Resources Board
- Pesticide Regulation
- CalRecycle
- Toxic Substances Control
- Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment
- State Water Resources Control Board
- Aging
- Child Support Services
- Community Services and Development
- Developmental Services
- Medical Services Authority
- Health Care Services
- Managed Health Care
- Managed Risk Medical Insurance Board
- Public Health
- Rehabilitation
- Social Services
- State Hospitals
- Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development
- Office of Health Information Integrity
- Office of Law Enforcement Support
- Office of the Patient Advocate
- Industrial Relations
- Agricultural Labor Relations Board
- Employment Development Department
- Public Employment Relations Board
- Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board
- Workforce Development Board
- Employment Training Panel
- Conservation
- Conservation Corps
- Fish and Wildlife
- Forestry and Fire Protection
- Parks and Recreation
- Water Resources
- CALFED Bay-Delta Program
- Coastal Commission
- Energy Commission
- State Lands Commission
- San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission
- Colorado River Board
- Motor Vehicles
- Caltrans
- Highway Patrol
- Board of Pilot Commissioners
- Transportation Commission
- High-Speed Rail Authority
- New Motor Vehicle Board
- Office of Traffic Safety
- University of California
- Board of Regents
- California State University
- California Community Colleges
- Public Utilities Commission
- State Auditor
- Fair Political Practices Commission
- Little Hoover Commission
Authority control
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