The Deputy Secretariat includes 7 administrations: AIDS - Alcohol and Drug Abuse - Chief Medical Examiner - Community and Public Health - Developmental Disabilities - Laboratories - Mental Hygiene

The Secretariat owns/operates 2 chronic care hospitals/facilities, 4 facilities for the developmentally disabled and 12 mental hospitals. In addition, we also fund community-based residences for the developmentally disabled (1600 sites), persons with mental illness (800 sites) and persons with substance abuse problems (50 sites) through private providers statewide.

The primary focus of the Deputy Secretariat is PREVENTION. Each administration has clearly defined roles in the areas of prevention and education. Examples are hereditary disorders, chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and cancer, family planning, prenatal care, immunizations, substance abuse and HIV and tobacco risk reduction education.

As the provider of last resort for many of the State's poor and disabled, the Department provides DIRECT SERVICES or FUNDING through Local Health Departments and other programs. Case management services are offered for persons with HIV/AIDS and disabled children. The Department provides breast and cervical cancer screening and treatment, dialysis services and refugee and migrant health services. Programs/treatment for the developmentally disabled, mentally ill and substance abusers help them remain at home/work and lead more productive lives. Programs to fund services for the medically indigent, the homeless, and pharmaceuticals for persons with HIV/AIDS are also provided.

REGULATORY SERVICES help the economy by keeping businesses consumer friendly. These services include inspection of food processing and food service establishments, youth camps, migrant labor camps, swimming pools, milk and drinking water plants. Through the public health laboratories, the Department enforces food and drug laws, monitor air and water pollution, and reviews the quality of tests performed by medical and environmental laboratories.

SURVEILLANCE is a silent but critical part of the public health program. The Secretariat investigates and monitors communicable diseases reported by physicians and health care facilities such as hospitals, nursing homes and schools. Diseases such as pneumonia, meningitis, tuberculosis, legionella, and rabies are measured, investigated, and actions taken to prevent their further spread.