Attachment A

REORGANIZATION PLAN

GENERAL BACKGROUND

This plan would rename the current Missouri Department of Health to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services and incorporate the Division of Aging currently located within the Department of Social Services into the renamed department.

The Missouri Department of Health is responsible for protecting and promoting the health of the population of Missouri. This is carried out through the assessment of the population's health, identification of health threats and needs, development of policies and priorities, and the assurance of appropriate responses. We implement these core public health functions through collaborative relationships with public and private entities, communities and citizens.

The Division of Aging currently located in the Missouri Department of Social Services is charged with promoting, maintaining, improving, and protecting the quality of life and quality of care for Missouri's older adults and persons with disabilities so they may live as independently as possible with dignity and respect.

SPECIFIC DEPARTMENT STRUCTURE

The reorganized Department of Health and Senior Services will be directed by a Department Director who will have a Chief Operating Officer and two Deputy Directors that report directly to the Director. The Director through the Chief Operating Officer and these two deputies will be responsible for the management of the Department and administration of its programs and services. This includes daily operations and Departmental functions such as those listed below.

The Chief Operating Officer will support and provide oversight for the activities of:

  • Operational Offices: Personnel, Legal, Governmental Policy, Public Information, Training and Professional Development, Women's Health, Minority Health, Epidemiology, Emergency Response/Terrorism
  • Division of Administration: Fiscal, Administrative and General Services support to all department units
  • Center for Community Development and Health Care Access: Community development and enhancement of health care access
  • Center for Health Information Management and Evaluation: Statistical support and health care assurance activities, information technology, technology research and development

A Deputy Director will support and provide oversight for the activities of the Division of Senior Services and the Division of Health Standards and Licensure.

  • Division of Senior Services: Home and community services program and program of immediate assistance which provides support for older persons and persons with disabilities between the ages of 18 and 59, all of whom live at home. In addition, assistance for persons who encounter abuse, neglect, or exploitation.
  • Division of Health Standards and Licensure: Long term care facilities, health facility regulation, child care licensure, emergency medical services, controlled substance registration, and other institutional programs

A Deputy Director will support and provide oversight for the activities of the health and public health functions of the Department of Health and Senior Services.

  • Center for Local Public Health Services: Local public health system support
  • Division of Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion: Combats the major causes of premature death, illness, disability and medical costs
  • Division of Environmental Health and Communicable Disease Prevention: Investigation of cause, origin, and method of transmission of communicable diseases and diseases caused by environmental hazards
  • Division of Maternal and Child and Family Health: Promotes optimal health by programs designed to meet the health care needs of families
  • Division of Nutritional Health and Services: Nutritional services and support, population-based surveillance to determine the nutritional status of all Missourians

OTHER RELATED ISSUES

In addition, the following change will occur by legislation and transfer.

  • Using the same statutory model as the Board of Health, a Board of Senior Services will be created. Both Boards will advise the Director of the Department of Health and Senior Services on issues relating to their respective areas of expertise.

A Memorandum of Understanding will be developed between the current Department of Health and the Department of Social Services and carried forward to the renamed Department of Health and Senior Services and the Department of Social Services that will provide guidance for the smooth transition and maintenance of specific issues that impact staff and services of both departments.

These Memorandums will include, but not be limited to, issues relating to accounting, chain of command for interim reporting, contracts, data processing, FY02 budget to be transferred, if passed, grants, hiring, legal services, office space (including leasing, utilities, telecommunications, etc.), payroll, personnel and office resources, purchasing, SAM II, state cars, any collective bargaining agreements, vacancy management and warehousing issues.

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