Human Services Department

What We Do 

Human Services facilitates access to critical supportive programs and services across Pinellas County. Through both direct administration of programs and coordination with a broad array of contracted partners, the department seeks to support services, capacity, and community solutions to promote health and stability.

Human Services strives to protect consumers, connect veterans to benefits and resources, expand justice system supports, reduce homelessness and housing instability, improve access to health 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.

Within the department, there are divisions that work collaboratively to fulfill the department’s role within the county.

• Behavioral Health Data Scientist – conduct research into evidence-based practices, emerging practices, policy, and systems-oriented operations to guide collaborations with county-funded agencies and other funding or regulatory authorities to continuously inform and improve local service deliver models and programs.
• 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.
• Contracts Services – support the Human Services Department (HS) in prioritizing and maintaining effective, efficient, and sustainable contracted programs and services to meet community needs. For example:
  • Adult Emergency Financial Assistance Program – available to qualifying adults who need a helping hand during unexpected financial hardships.
• 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 –work to enhance the Department’s impact across human services through grant program development, consumer-focused initiatives, justice service coordination, quality assurance, planning, and information support, as well as special projects that arise. Core service areas include:
  • Consumer Protection – works to reduce and prevent victimization of consumers while helping to ensure local businesses don’t engage in unfair, deceptive, or fraudulent business practices.
  • Grants Services – 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 – works collaboratively with justice stakeholders and community providers to develop and implement programs that promote public safety and improve outcomes for justice-involved citizens in Pinellas County.
  • Planning and Quality Assurance – responsible for enhancing department and program planning, implementing the tools, information, and infrastructure to support department efforts, and developing processes to promote quality and improved program outcomes.
• Veterans Services – assists veterans and their families access benefits provided by the State of Florida, the United States Department of Veterans Affairs and other government services.

Human Services Organizational Chart