DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES
In 1974, a task force on Human Services was formed to survey the human services departments and activities in Detroit and recommend changes in the City's organizational structure, which would improve administrative flexibility and control. Costs, efficiency, consumer needs, effectiveness and funding sources were considered. The objectives of the task force were to develop an organizational model, which would mobilize greater resources from federal, state and local sources and to develop a coordinated delivery system for human services which would provide unduplicated services. This model would translate these resources into more and better services to the citizens of Detroit.
When the task force issued its report, a major recommendation was to incorporate the services of The Mayor’s Committee for Human Resources Development, which operated the Poverty Program and the Model Neighborhood Agency (model cities). On July 1, 1975, this union emerged as a new City department, Neighborhood Services. The Department also functions as the Community Action Agency (CAA) for the City of Detroit -- the only one in Michigan that is city-government based.
The role of the department has become more focused and directed, thus the name was changed to Department of Human Services (DHS) in 1995. Operating from sites located throughout the city, Center Operations Division service centers provide low-income households with family and individual needs assessment and referral services. Programs available through the centers include: USDA commodity distribution, energy assistance, emergency food program, clothing bank, tax assistance and the homeless intervention program.
Other special projects include the transportation program, summer camper ships and summer lunch program. This division also aids in access in referral service to the following divisions.
The Child Development Division better known as Head Start provides health, social, educational, special needs and parental involvement services for children from birth to four years of age and their families.
The Drug Treatment Division provides individual and group counseling, Fellowship Anonymous, vocational rehabilitation counseling, physician and nursing services and innovative medical treatment for opiate addiction.
The Home Weatherization Program provides free energy conservation services including attic and wall insulation, window repair, electric water heater wrap and pipe insulation, installation of low flow shower heads, roof leaks, caulking and weather stripping.
Community Services Commission
The Community Services Commission (CSC) of the Department of Human Services was established to provide an advisory framework for the planning and operation of Detroit’s Community Action Agency. The purpose of the commission is to cause a permanent increase in the capacity of individuals, groups and communities affected by poverty and to find effective solutions for reducing and alleviating its causes.
The commission consists of 36 commissioners, (twenty appointed by the Mayor) who serve as the overall citizen advisory body to DHS. The commission is constituted so that up to one third of the commissioners are public officials or their representatives, one third of the commissioners are DHS area residents elected in accordance with a democratic selection procedure, and up to one third of the members are officials or members of business, industry, labor, religious, welfare, education or other major groups and interests in the community.