IDHS is one of Illinois' largest agencies, with more than 15,000 employees.
Our Mission:
We respond to the needs of all people in Illinois so they can lead healthy, safe, and enriched lives.
Our Vision:
Dignity and well-being for everyone in Illinois.
Our Values:
Compassion, Accessibility, Responsibility, Equity
IDHS was created in 1997 to provide our state's residents with streamlined access to integrated services, especially those who are striving for economic independence, and others who face multiple challenges to self-sufficiency.
IDHS Divisions:
Division of Developmental Disabilities
- Division of Developmental Disabilities
- The Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) provides leadership for the effective management of the design and delivery of quality outcome-based, person-centered services and supports for individuals who have developmental disabilities. These services and supports will be appropriate to their needs, gifts, talents, and strengths; accessible; life-spanning; based on informed choice; and monitored to ensure individual progress, quality of life, and safety.
- Division of Rehabilitation Services
- The Division of Rehabilitation Services is the state's leading agency serving individuals with disabilities. DRS works in partnership with people with disabilities and their families to assist them in making informed choices to achieve full community participation through employment, education, and independent living opportunities.
- Division of Early Childhood
- The Division of Early Childhood (DEC) was established as a standalone IDHS division in 2021 to help strengthen and centralize the state's existing child care, home visiting, and early intervention programs, as well as operationalize and create administrative capacity to establish sustainable infrastructure needs in order to streamline services. Working hand-in-hand with local communities throughout Illinois, the Division of Early Childhood provides low-income, working families with access to quality, affordable childcare; administers community-based prevention and intervention programs; and helps all children between the ages of birth to three with disabilities or delays, to learn and grow.
- Division of Behavioral Health & Recovery
- The Division of Behavioral Health & Recovery is responsible for ensuring that children, adolescents, and adults throughout Illinois have access to comprehensive substance use and mental health services. Our statewide system supports prevention, intervention, treatment, harm reduction, and recovery services for individuals, families, and communities through a combination of state and federal funding. The system includes community-based mental health and substance use services delivered through partners and inpatient mental health services through 27 community hospitals with psychiatric units and seven state-operated hospitals. DBHR is also responsible for regulating all substance use intervention and treatment providers in the state of Illinois to ensure safety and quality of care. DBHR focuses on improving outcomes, expanding access to care, reducing stigma, and providing coordinated care for people with behavioral health needs. Our work is grounded in compassion, collaboration, and respect for each person's journey. We aim to create a more connected, responsive, and effective system of care through partnership with communities and providers.
- Division of Family & Community Services (FCS)
- The Illinois Department of Human Services' Division of Family & Community Services (FCS) helps Illinois residents by connecting them with many programs and services. Through our programs, services, and prevention efforts, FCS improves the health and well-being of individuals in Illinois. Additionally, FCS promotes self-sufficiency and integrity of families in Illinois. FCS strives to build upon the strengths and resources of individuals, families, and communities by offering support and services that range from prenatal care to funeral and burial benefits. FCS supports are designed to be responsive to the needs of individuals and families. The work of FCS is accomplished by bringing resources to the community level and partnering with local agencies. While SNAP, WIC, cash assistance, and medical programs maybe the FCS services that are most well-known, there are many other programs and services offered through the division.
