The Department of Human Services was created in 1996 by combining the former Department of Social Services with the Recreation and Cultural Affairs Divisions of the former Department of Parks and Recreation. The Department serves approximately 75,000 Hartford residents by providing an array of children, youth, adult, and elderly services.

The Department provides support, information, referral, education, community organization, advocacy, training, job development, transportation, day care, children, youth, and family development programs, community development campaigns, structured recreation activities and crisis intervention services. Additionally, the department provides technical assistance, support, coordination of services, and research, and also makes policy recommendations in social matters.

DEPARTMENT BUDGET :

The increase in the adopted budget is due, in part, to adjustments in the payroll accounts. The department has reduced the size of the work force from 127 to 125 positions. While the vacant Administrative Clerk, Senior Clerk Typist, and Administrative Assistant positions were eliminated, a Senior Administrative Analyst position was added. The adopted Recreation and Youth Services budget provides funding for diverse seasonal activities throughout the City. The adopted budget includes $655,070 for contractual recreation programs as well. Funding is also included ($250,000) to support summer youth employment programs. Additionally, funds were added for Outreach Worker Services, Youth Commission expenditures, and the Passport to Success program. Funding was also increased for the Dial-A-Ride program, Part Time Employees account in Recreation and Youth Services Division, and for equipment at the Anderson Center. The Day Care food expenses were reduced in the adopted budget because they will be charged directly to the State Food Grant. The new North Hartford Super Senior Center is expected to open during the first quarter of the fiscal year.

The department, through all its divisions, will continue to seek private/public partnerships to expand services and better serve clients, and will continue to seek revenue enhancement, as well as maximization of existing resources.

DEPARTMENT BUDGET SUMMARY: