North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
Encyclopedia
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is a large government agency in the U.S. state
of North Carolina
, somewhat analogous to the United States Department of Health and Human Services
. DHHS has more than 19,000 employees. It is headed by a Secretary (Lanier Cansler as of 2009), who is appointed by the Governor.
Among its divisions are:
DHHS has its origins in the former North Carolina Department of Human Resources (DHR). DHR was created in 1971 as an umbrella to consolidate what had been more than 300 free-standing state agencies. The first Secretary of Human Resources, Dr. Lenox Baker
, was appointed by Governor Robert W. Scott
.
The Division of Public Health, an original part of the department, was taken out of DHR in 1989. Most of its functions were transferred back to DHR in 1997 when the agency was renamed the Department of Health and Human Services.
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
, somewhat analogous to the United States Department of Health and Human Services
United States Department of Health and Human Services
The United States Department of Health and Human Services is a Cabinet department of the United States government with the goal of protecting the health of all Americans and providing essential human services. Its motto is "Improving the health, safety, and well-being of America"...
. DHHS has more than 19,000 employees. It is headed by a Secretary (Lanier Cansler as of 2009), who is appointed by the Governor.
Among its divisions are:
- Division of Social Services
- Division of Public Health
- Division of Mental HealthMental healthMental health describes either a level of cognitive or emotional well-being or an absence of a mental disorder. From perspectives of the discipline of positive psychology or holism mental health may include an individual's ability to enjoy life and procure a balance between life activities and...
, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance AbuseSubstance abuseA substance-related disorder is an umbrella term used to describe several different conditions associated with several different substances .A substance related disorder is a condition in which an individual uses or abuses a...
Services - Division of Medical Assistance (most well known for the MedicaidMedicaidMedicaid is the United States health program for certain people and families with low incomes and resources. It is a means-tested program that is jointly funded by the state and federal governments, and is managed by the states. People served by Medicaid are U.S. citizens or legal permanent...
program)
DHHS has its origins in the former North Carolina Department of Human Resources (DHR). DHR was created in 1971 as an umbrella to consolidate what had been more than 300 free-standing state agencies. The first Secretary of Human Resources, Dr. Lenox Baker
Lenox Baker
Lenox Dial Baker Sr. was an American orthopedic surgeon and athletic trainer at both Duke University and University of Tennessee. The Lenox Baker Children’s Hospital at Duke is named in his honor...
, was appointed by Governor Robert W. Scott
Robert W. Scott
Robert Walter "Bob" Scott was the 67th Governor of the state of North Carolina from 1969 to 1973. He was born in Haw River, North Carolina.The son of North Carolina Governor W...
.
The Division of Public Health, an original part of the department, was taken out of DHR in 1989. Most of its functions were transferred back to DHR in 1997 when the agency was renamed the Department of Health and Human Services.
List of Secretaries
- Lenox D. BakerLenox BakerLenox Dial Baker Sr. was an American orthopedic surgeon and athletic trainer at both Duke University and University of Tennessee. The Lenox Baker Children’s Hospital at Duke is named in his honor...
, 1972-1973 - David T. Flaherty, 1973-1976
- Phillip J. Kirk, Jr.Phil KirkPhillip J. Kirk, Jr. is a North Carolina political figure. He is a former chairman of the North Carolina State Board of Education and a former president of the North Carolina Chamber of Commerce .Kirk, a native of Rowan County, North Carolina and a graduate of Catawba College, worked as a...
, 1976-1977 - Sarah T. Morrow, 1977-1985
- Lucy H. Bode, 1985
- Phillip J. Kirk, Jr.Phil KirkPhillip J. Kirk, Jr. is a North Carolina political figure. He is a former chairman of the North Carolina State Board of Education and a former president of the North Carolina Chamber of Commerce .Kirk, a native of Rowan County, North Carolina and a graduate of Catawba College, worked as a...
, 1985-1987 - Paul Kayye, 1987
- David T. Flaherty, 1987-1993
- Charles Robin BrittCharles Robin BrittCharles Robin Britt is a former Member of the United States House of Representatives from North Carolina's 6th congressional district. A Democrat, he served one term from 1983 to 1985...
, 1993-1997 - H. David Bruton, 1997-2000
- Carmen Hooker OdomCarmen Hooker OdomCarmen Hooker Odom is the former secretary of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. Governor Mike Easley appointed her Secretary in January 2001. Odom, a former Massachusetts legislator and health care lobbyist, has spent her professional life working in health and human...
, 2001-2007 - Dempsey Benton, 2007-2009
- Lanier Cansler, 2009-present