Human Services Department

What We Do 

The Human Services Department facilitates access to supportive programs and services approved by the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners. Through direct administration of programs, coordination with a broad array of contracted partners, and public-private partnerships with allocated funding the department seeks to support services, enhance capacity, and promote community solutions that improve health and stability. Human Services strives to protect vulnerable residents, connect veterans to benefits and resources, expand justice system supports, reduce homelessness and housing instability, improve access to physical and behavioral health resources, fight food instability, support local emergency response, and coordinate with local system partners for program development, service planning and continuous improvement.

The Human Services Department is comprised of approximately 100 team members. Within the department, there are divisions that work collaboratively to fulfill the department’s role within the county.

• Business Services – responsible for projects and grants accounting, grant billings, the production of financial statements, processing invoices for payment for suppliers and service providers, preparing the annual budget and similar activities.
• Community Connections – one of three public facing divisions within the Human Services Department. The Division consists of three case management teams who facilitate eligibility and provide case management services to qualified low-income residents for the following programs:
  • Disability Advocacy – Assists eligible adult residents with applying for and securing social security benefits.
  • Family Housing Assistance Program (FHAP) – helps families experiencing homelessness who have been referred by the Pinellas County Coordinated Entry System (CES) with financial assistance and case management services to secure and sustain housing.
  • Pinellas County Health Program (PCHP)/ Health Care for the Homeless (HCH) – In partnership with the Florida Department of Health, the County Health program provides prevention-focused health care, mental health and substance use services, specialty care referrals, and case management services to qualified low-income residents.
• Contract Services – The mission of the Contract Services Section is to support the Human Services Department (HS) in prioritizing and maintaining contract compliance and monitoring to ensure effective, efficient, and sustainable delivery of contracted programs/services and administrative agreements supporting Department operations.      For example:
  • Adult Emergency Financial Assistance Program – available to qualifying adults who need a helping hand during unexpected financial hardships.
  • Opioid Abatement Settlement Funds – Utilize to increase access to opioid and substance use education, treatment and other related programs and services.
• The Contracts Compliance Section provides technical assistance, monitoring, and support for various internal and external regulations including, but not limited to, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), public records, and department procedures.
• Health Care Services – responsible for ensuring health programs are meeting the needs of residents and works in concert with the clinical provider of services, Department of Health Pinellas as well as behavioral health providers, and hospital partners.
  • Homeless Services – Human Services partners with multiple agencies to provide services and assist unhoused persons and those at risk of homelessness in our community.
  • Senior Services – help our senior residents find the resources and services they need.
  • Age Friendly Initiatives – provides a list of resources and services.
• Program Services – The Program Services Division supports the design, implementation, and operation of programs and initiatives for the Human Services Department. Division efforts work to enhance the Department’s impact across human services through grant program development, consumer-focused initiatives, justice service coordination, quality assurance, programmatic and strategic planning, and information support including special projects that arise. Core service areas include:
  • Consumer Protection – works to reduce and prevent victimization of county residents while helping to ensure local businesses avoid unfair, deceptive, or fraudulent business practices. Consumer Protection’s efforts have recovered millions of dollars for consumers through refunds, adjustments, and court-ordered restitution.
  • Grants Services – works to enhance critical services for residents through the ongoing development of grants and resources to expand capacity, pilot solutions, and help close system gaps within our community. The section is responsible for the identification, development, pursuit of new grant resources to further department goals, effective implementation of grant funded programs, as well as the ongoing administration and compliance of awarded grants.
  • Justice Coordination – Justice Coordination provides support for local justice operations including planning, development, evaluation and monitoring of present and future justice programs within Pinellas County to ensure that the citizens of Pinellas receive the highest quality justice and public safety services for the resources provided.
  • Planning and Quality Assurance – provides a collaborative, cross-functional approach to supporting the development and quality of program operations across the department. The section is responsible for enhancing department and program planning, implementing the tools, identifying information, and developing the infrastructure to support departmental quality assurance efforts, and developing processes to monitor and promote quality for improved program outcomes.
• Veterans Services – represents Veterans and their families before the Veterans Benefits Administration in obtaining benefits such as Service-Connected Disability Compensation, Veterans Pension, Survivors Benefits and aids with obtaining other benefits from the Veterans Health Administration, State of Florida, and other organizations. The Division also provides verification of eligibility for Florida’s property tax exemptions for Veterans.
• Behavioral Health Data Science – Elevating the behavioral health service system includes a variety of data-informed initiatives that measure key indicators of performance including quality, access, and capacity along with informing services and policy that optimize access to treatment, rehabilitative, and supportive services. This work is accomplished by conducting research into evidence-based practices, emerging practices, policy, and systems-oriented operations to inform collaborations with county-funded agencies and other funding or regulatory authorities to continuously inform and improve local service delivery models and programs. The work of this Division receives significant support by various Divisions throughout the Department to accomplish a broad array of goals including measurement, analysis, population-based planning, contracting, performance-based accountability, and grants administration.
• Emergency Management – leads department engagement in essential emergency functions, serving as the primary liaison with the Emergency Management Department. Core functions include sheltering operations, coordination with Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD), oversight of mass care services, and coordination with county consumer protection and justice response. Additionally, individual staff and department facility preparedness includes planning and facilitating department-wide training, drills, and exercises to ensure readiness and resilience at every level.

Human Services Organizational Chart