Dedicated to strengthening the health, safety, and independence of Idahoans.
The Department of Health and Welfare’s work helps Idahoans help themselves. Our goal is to help people become self-reliant, working with them to identify solutions to their problems so they won’t need future assistance from us.
To carry out its mission, the department has a staff of nearly 3,000 and an annual budget of $5.5 billion. I am committed to improving the health and wellbeing of all Idahoans, with the following goals for the department:
- Strengthen child welfare.
- Promote upward mobility.
- Improve behavioral health.
- Reduce the regulatory burden on department stakeholders.
Importantly, we will advance these goals while being transparent and holding ourselves accountable to the taxpayers we serve.
Given the size and complexity of the department, it is imperative that we stay laser-focused on our statutory mission so that we can improve the lives of Idahoans, often in their time of most need.
I look forward to getting to know you and working with you to build a better Idaho.
Alex J. Adams, PharmD, MPH
Director
Role in the Community
The Department of Health and Welfare’s (DHW) primary role in the community is to provide services and oversight to promote healthy people, safe children, and stable families. DHW accomplishes this through several core functions, including:
- Protecting children and vulnerable adults
- Administering state and federal public assistance and health coverage programs, which includes Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (Food Stamps) and Medicaid
- Providing direct-care services for certain disadvantaged or underserved populations
- Licensing various types of care facilities
- Promoting healthy lifestyles
- Identifying and reducing public health risks
Leadership
DHW serves under the leadership of Idaho Governor Brad Little. DHW Director Alex J. Adams oversees all department operations and is advised by the Idaho Board of Health and Welfare. The board consists of seven voting members appointed by the governor as well as the chairmen of House and Senate Health and Welfare legislative committees. The DHW director serves as the secretary.
Organization
Idaho is a leader in the integration of service delivery for health and human services. In some states, health and human services is divided into several departments with separate administrations. Idaho is fortunate to have these services under one umbrella with a single administration. This is not only cost-effective, it allows DHW to more effectively coordinate services for struggling families, so they can achieve self-sufficiency without government support. The director has four deputy directors to assist in managing DHW’s business. A deputy is responsible for the oversight and coordination of one of four areas:
- Child, Youth, and Family Services
- Health and Human Services
- Medicaid and Behavioral Health
- Operations
DHW has eleven divisions:
| Division | Administrator |
|---|---|
| Behavorial Health | Ross Edmunds |
| Community Partnerships | Laura Denner |
| Early Learning & Development | Alison Tate |
| Financial Services | Misty Lawrence |
| Information and Technology Services | Chuck Weber |
| Licensing and Certification | Laura Stute |
| Management Services | Staci Phelan |
| Medicaid | Juliet Charron |
| Public Health | Elke Shaw-Tulloch |
| Self-Reliance | Jennifer Palagi, Interim |
| Youth Safety and Permanency | Jean Fisher |
Each division contains individual bureaus and programs that provide services to help people in communities. In addition to the eleven divisions, DHW’s organizational structure includes the Office of Legislative and Regulatory Affairs and the Office of Communications.
View the current DHW organization chart.
Psychiatric Hospitals and treatment center
DHW administers the state’s three psychiatric hospitals, State Hospital North, State Hospital South, and State Hospital West. State Hospital North and South provide treatment for people who have been court-ordered into the state’s custody. State Hospital West provides treatment for adolescents, ages 11-18.
DHW also administers the Southwest Idaho Treatment Center (SWITC), which serves individuals with complex and challenging behaviors.
Locations and Authorized Positions
DHW operates in 38 locations, of which 32 are publicly accessible throughout the state. In addition to field and administrative offices, DHW also operates visitation and counseling offices, state institutions, the state laboratory, and the Emergency Communications Center. There are 3,015 authorized full-time employees in Fiscal Year 2025.