About the Department of Human Services

The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) mission is driven by collaboration with community and partners – Counties, Tribes, non-profit and for-profit providers – supporting people to thrive in community and live their healthiest and fullest lives. The department vision is that all people in Minnesota have what they need to thrive in community with no disparities.

While our partners provide the vast majority of human services in Minnesota, the department (at the direction of the Governor and Legislature) sets policies. It directs payments for many of the services delivered. As the largest state agency, the department administers about one-third of the state budget. As a steward of a significant amount of public dollars, the department takes our responsibility very seriously to provide Minnesotans with high value in both the quality of services and accountability for taxpayer dollars.

Our largest financial responsibility is to provide health care coverage for low-income Minnesotans. We are also responsible for providing services for elders; people with disabilities and behavioral health needs; and those experiencing homelessness.

Through our licensing services, we ensure that private and public settings meet minimum standards of care for all Minnesotans. The department also provides direct service through our regional offices for people who are deaf, deafblind, or hard of hearing.

Mission

In collaboration with community and partners, DHS supports people to thrive in community and live their healthiest and fullest lives.

Vision

All people in Minnesota have what they need to thrive in community with no disparities.

Employee Vision

When all employees are embraced, respected and heard, we will build a collaborative, equitable, inclusive and anti-racist culture where we all thrive.