The Department of Economic Security (DES) was established in July 1972 by combining the Employment Security Commission, the State Department of Public Welfare, the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, the State Office of Economic Opportunity, the Apprenticeship Council and the State Office of Manpower Planning.
The State Department of Mental Retardation joined the Department in 1974. The purpose in creating the Department was to provide an integration of direct services to people in such a way as to reduce duplication of administrative efforts, services and expenditures.
Guiding Principles
Systems of care must:
- be customer-and family-driven
- be effectively integrated
- protect the rights of families and individuals
- allow smooth transitions between programs
- build community capacity to serve families and individuals
- emphasize prevention and early intervention
- respect customers, partners, and fellow employees
Services must:
- be evaluated for outcomes
- be coordinated across systems
- be personalized to meet the needs of families and individuals
- be accessible, accountable, and comprehensive
- be culturally and linguistically appropriate and respectful
- be strength-based and delivered in the least intrusive manner
