Cynthia Costello

NEW JERSEY DHS, OFFICE OF FINANCE

The New Jersey Department of Human Services (DHS) serves more than one million of New Jersey's most vulnerable citizens, or about one of every eight New Jersey residents. DHS serves individuals and families with low incomes; people with mental illnesses, developmental disabilities, or late-onset disabilities; people who are blind, visually impaired, deaf, hard of hearing, or deaf-blind; parents needing child care services, child support and/or healthcare for their children; and families facing catastrophic medical expenses for their children. DHS and its eight divisions strive to help individuals and families in need keep their lives on track, their families together, a roof over their heads, and their health protected. The programs and services offered through DHS Human Services give individuals and families the breathing room they need in order to find permanent solutions to otherwise daunting problems. DHS works to maximize resources, establish community supports and expand services and programs for accountability across the Department. Human Services also provides some assistance for the families served by the Department of Children and Families (DCF). DHS is the largest agency in New Jersey. It comprises about one-quarter of the state's workforce and budget, with more than 14,000 employees at any given time, and a gross budget of about $10 billion.