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Director delivers state-of-agency address outlining DHHS priorities and service gains
Summary
The Director addressed staff in a 'state of the agency' talk, highlighting the 2022 merger, improved data systems, accreditations, expansion of Medicaid dental and mental health access, new early-childhood website, and a new leadership training series.
Director delivered a state-of-agency address to staff at the Utah Department of Health and Human Services, saying the department has grown since the 2022 merger and now supports roughly 6,000 employees.
"It's truly inspiring to think about all 6,000 of you, the heart and soul of the Utah Department of Health and Human Services, tuning in to listen to my remarks today," the Director said, framing the remarks as an agency-wide update during Employee Recognition Week. The Director emphasized a customer-centered approach and said integrated data systems are helping the department target resources more effectively.
The address listed recent accomplishments, including multiple accreditations and a certification of the Medicaid payment system called PRISM, and highlighted program expansions such as adult Medicaid dental coverage and expanded mental health services. The Director also pointed to operational improvements in online services, noting recent reductions in reported website task failures and support requests.
The speech closed with a call to align the department's work with the governor's agenda—recruiting foster families, increasing home- and community-based services for youth, and supporting older adults—and an appeal for staff collaboration as federal policy shifts approach.
The Director said leadership training and other workforce initiatives are underway, and urged staff to continue integrating services and partnering locally to meet changing needs.
