Minnesota Department of Human Services

Discover the stories we share. The Minnesota Historical Society preserves Minnesota's past, shares our state's stories and connects people with history in meaningful ways, for today and for tomorrow. Because history matters! We're part of Minnesota's rich history. Since 1849, we've grown to become one of the largest and most prestigious historical societies in the country. We play an important role in our state's historic preservation, education and tourism; and provide the public with award-winning programs, exhibitions and events. We owe it to future generations to be good stewards of the past. Join us. It's the best deal in history! WHO WE ARE The Minnesota Department of Human Services is an organization of individuals with a commitment to bettering the lives of Minnesotans. While DHS employees perform different jobs and duties, such as research-analyses, direct caregiving, program administration, fraud prevention, licensing oversight, plant management and human resources, we share a belief that when Minnesotans help other Minnesotans, we create a brighter future for all of us. MISSION The Minnesota Department of Human Services, working with many others, helps people meet their basic needs so they can live in dignity and achieve their highest potential. VISION When we help each other, we create a brighter future for Minnesota. VALUES - We focus on people, not programs. - We provide ladders up and safety nets for the people we serve. - We work in partnership with others: we cannot do it alone. - We are accountable for results to the people we serve and all Minnesotans. DHS practices these shared values in an ethical environment where integrity, trustworthiness, responsibility, respect, diversity, justice, fairness and caring are of paramount importance. WHAT WE DO The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) helps provide essential services to Minnesota's most vulnerable residents. Working with many others, including counties, tribes and nonprofits, DHS helps ensure that Minnesota seniors, people with disabilities, children and others meet their basic needs and have the opportunity to reach their full potential. 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 the 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 and cost of services. Our largest financial responsibility is to provide health care coverage for low-income Minnesotans. We are also responsible for securing economic assistance for struggling families, providing food support, overseeing child protection and child welfare services, enforcing child support, and providing services for people with mental illness, chemical dependency, or physical or developmental disabilities. Through our licensing services, we ensure that certain minimum standards of care are met in private and public settings for children and vulnerable adults. DHS also provides direct service through our regional offices for people who are deaf or hard of hearing; through DHS Direct Care and Treatment, which provides direct care to people with disabilities; and through the Minnesota Sex Offender Program.