About DHS
The Minnesota Department of Human Services provides Minnesotans with a variety of services intended to help people live as independently as possible.
Contact us
Contact DHS by phone, email, mail, and find information about counties and regional offices, directions and parking.
2023-2027 Agencywide strategic plan
The strategic plan focuses on three desired outcomes: People in Minnesota thrive; people experience high quality human services; and people at DHS thrive in an inclusive environment.
What we do
The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) helps provide essential services to Minnesota’s most vulnerable residents.
Who we are
The Minnesota Department of Human Services is an organization of individuals with a commitment to bettering the lives of Minnesotans.
Who we serve
The Minnesota Department of Human Services serves Minnesotans in all 87 counties and 11 tribes.
Executive staff bios
Find brief biographies and photos of the commissioner and leadership team.
Outreach and engagement
DHS strives to prioritize community solutions, creating a bridge between our institutions, community-based organizations and partners, and those who participate in DHS programs.
Public participation
DHS invites client, stakeholder and citizen input on initiatives and proposed program changes through public meetings and comment periods.
Advisory councils and task forces
Advisory councils and task forces guide the department as it provides programs and services.
Data requests
Public data is available to any member of the public. This means individual people, the media, government agencies, government employees, vendors, unions, companies and lawyers.
Governor’s administration
The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) is part of the executive branch of state government, one of 20 executive departments headed by a commissioner appointed by the governor and approved by the state Senate.
Commissioner Jodi Harpstead leads one of the state's largest agencies. The department provides health care, economic assistance, child welfare services, services for the elderly and people with disabilities and other services for people who do not have the resources to meet their basic needs.
Governor Tim Walz appointed Harpstead as the department’s acting commissioner effective Aug. 12, 2019. A news release with more information is available on the Governor’s Office website. Commissioner Harpstead’s bio is online.