The Texas Department of Human Resources was created in 1939 as the Texas Department of Public Welfare. The department was supervised by the state board of public welfare, composed of three members appointed by the Governor for six-year terms. The major duties of the department were to administer the state laws regarding assistance to the needy aged, dependent children and blind, and to carry out the state’s child welfare program.

In 1965 the Department of Public Welfare was authorized to cooperate with the federal government in administering the anti-poverty program. The federal government provided approximately 75% of the assistance funds and the state, by appropriate from the legislature, provided the remainder. This department also administered the Texas Medical Assistant Program (Medicaid).

In 1977 the legislature changed the name of the department to the Texas Department of Human Resources. In 1980 it was restructured with the program’s categories to reflect two clients groups: families and children, and aged and disabled persons.

Many Texans are helped by the state’s programs. The Social Security Administration determines ongoing Medicaid eligibility, while the Texas Department of Human Services determines eligibility for everyone else. Through Medicaid for Families and Children, it facilities access to Medicaid programs for needy families.

Since September 2004, there are two branches of the Texas Department of Human Services. The first is the Department of Aging and Disability Service, which serves mental retardation service and state school program, community care, nursing facility and long-term regulatory services, plus aging service and programs. This department provides information about services for older Texans, provides forms and handbooks, and includes documents in Spanish.

The other arm is the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, which provides disaster assistance, family service, family violence program, immigration and refugee affairs, nutrition programs, and technology programs. It provides Medicaid prescription drug coverage for low income Texans who are denied medications under the new Medicare drug plans.

The department has a new subscription e-mail service making it easier for the public to keep up with the latest news and information about health and human services. Under this system it is possible to apply for services by phone, in person or over the Internet, fax and mail. There is a menu of options for consumers Applying for state services, including Medicaid, food stamps, the Children’s Health Insurance Program, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families and long-term care.

The Texas Department of Health and Human Services has a long history of serving the people of the State of Texas. With the new systems in place and the dynamic changes, the department is client- centered, efficient in its use of public resources and focused on results and accountability.