Discussion 1: Heath Care Operations and Program

In the world of human services, healthcare and human services programs often intersect and overlap. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is the largest governmental regulator and funder of the health and human services program. HHS has eleven operating divisions, which are known as agencies. These agencies provide oversight and regulations for millions of dollars for human services and healthcare programs. As future human services leaders, it is important to know which regulatory agency is responsible for the various healthcare programs and services. The HHS 11 Operating Divisions are:

  1. Administration for Children and Families (ACF)
  2. Administration for Community Living (ACL)
  3. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)
  4. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR)
  5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
  6. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)
  7. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
  8. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)
  9. Indian Health Services (IHS)
  10. National Institutes of Health (NIH)
  11. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

Directions

For this discussion board, you will be randomly assigned to one of the eleven operating divisions.

Utilize the Department of Health and Human Services website (Links to an external site.), where you will find the organizational chart and eleven operating divisions (agencies).

Initial Post

In your initial post, and based on your assigned operating division, submit the following information:

  1. Operating Division Name and History: Reason for operating division creation, i.e., in response to what healthcare issue, and annual budget.
  2. Mission and Area of Responsibility: Identify and summarize the agency division mission. Give an example of programs/services provided.
  3. Within your assigned operating division, select one (1) program, center, office, institute, or bureau within the operating division and provide the following information:
    • Apply the information obtained in items a and b and identify/describe a local healthcare organization which would receive funding/operate a program under this operating division (include your personal experience/knowledge about the organization).