DSHS will have $887.85 million in 2022-2023 to watch over Texans’ health.
When it comes to technology, the department spent $25.44 million on IT alone in calendar year 2021.
What follows are snippets of DSHS’ four goals from its website, with some minor edits. To make progress toward the department’s core goals and the governor’s statewide objectives, the department seeks to:
1. Improve and support health outcomes and well-being for individuals and families by:
- Enhancing quality of direct care and value of services.
- Preventing illness and promote wellness through public and population health strategies.
- Encouraging self-sufficiency and long-term independence.
2. Ensure efficient access to appropriate services by:
- Empowering Texans to identify and apply for services.
- Providing seamless access to services for which clients are eligible.
- Ensuring people receive services and support in the most appropriate, least restrictive settings based on individual needs and preferences.
- Strengthening consumers’ access to information, education and support.
3: Protect the health and safety of vulnerable Texans by:
- Optimizing preparation for and response to disasters, disease threats and outbreaks.
- Preventing and reducing harm through improved education, monitoring, inspection and investigation.
4: Continuously enhance efficiency and accountability by:
- Promoting and protecting the financial and programmatic integrity of HHS.
- Strengthening, sustaining and supporting a high-functioning, efficient workforce.
- Continuously improving business strategies with optimized technology and a culture of data-driven decision-making.
