Minnesota Department of Human Services

**People we serve** The Minnesota Department of Human Services provides services for over a million Minnesotans in 87 counties and 11 tribes. **[Adults](https://mn.gov/dhs/people-we-serve/adults/index.jsp)** DHS works to help Minnesotans meet their basic needs so they can live in dignity and achieve their highest potential. **[Children and families](https://mn.gov/dhs/people-we-serve/children-and-families/index.jsp)** DHS provides child protection services, out-of-home care, permanent homes for children, child support, food assistance programs, child care services, health care coverage and children's mental health services. **[People with disabilities](https://mn.gov/dhs/people-we-serve/people-with-disabilities/index.jsp)** DHS helps people with disabilities live as independently as possible so they can be a part of the communities in which they live. **[Seniors](https://mn.gov/dhs/people-we-serve/seniors/index.jsp)** DHS helps seniors live as independently as possible so they can contribute and be a part of the communities in which they live. **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 DHS Vision is that all people in Minnesota have what they need to thrive in community with no disparities. While the vast majority of human services in Minnesota are provided by our partners, DHS (at the direction of the Governor and Legislature) sets policies and directs payments for many of the services delivered. As the largest state agency, DHS administers about one-third of the state budget. As a steward of a significant amount of public dollars, DHS takes very seriously our responsibility to provide Minnesotans with high value in terms of 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 certain minimum standards of care are met in private and public settings for all Minnesotans. DHS also provides direct service through hour regional offices for people who are deaf, deafblind, or hard of hearing; and through DHS Direct Care and Treatment, which provides direct care to people with behavioral health needs or disabilities.