The Operational & Support Services Branch assures that department-wide administrative activities are coordinated and accomplished in an effective and efficient manner and that public health services are provided at the local level. The Branch ensures planning and response to public health emergencies. The branch provides the following services across the agency:
Contracts and Grants Management
The Contracts and Grants Management Section prepares, issues, and manages contracts, grants and low interest loans in support of for-profit and non-profit service providers, federal and local governments, and individuals. The services funded by these contracts and grants improve the Connecticut healthcare service infrastructure and provide otherwise unavailable health and/or support services to underserved residents of Connecticut.
Fiscal Services
The Fiscal Services Section administers budget planning and preparation, monitors 19 state and 142 federal accounts for expenditures, revenue accounting, accounts payable/receivable, and purchasing, including emphasis on procurement activities from small and minority-owned vendors; provides mail services and inventory control; gives grantees and their auditors a single point of contact for accounting and audit issues related to grants and over 650 contracts; provides technical assistance to contracting units within the department and monitors the final financial settlement of agency grants and contracts, including adherence to cash management and all applicable federal regulations for financial reporting.
Human Resources
The Human Resources Section provides comprehensive personnel management to the department, including labor relations for seven bargaining units and managerial/confidential employees, recruitment, merit system administration, performance appraisal review, statistical personnel status reports, payroll, fringe benefit administration, classification work for appropriate job titles, and Performance Assessment and Recognition System for managers.
Informatics
The Informatics Section works both independently and in conjunction with the Department of Administrative Services, Bureau of Enterprise Systems and Technology (DAS/BEST) to provide the highest quality of support and services. Our services are delivered through two divisions, Infrastructure and Development. These divisions work closely together to provide the functionality and direction of Information Technology to the agency and external entities with interfaces to DPH internal systems. Responsibilities include strategic planning, maintaining critical agency infrastructure, providing platform services, operations services, networking services, application services and security services.
Office of Local Health Administration
The Office of Local Health Administration ensures the delivery of public health services at
the local level. The office provides consultation to strengthen coordination and collaboration
between DPH programs and local health agencies, administers, collects data, and analyzes
annual local health agency reports to monitor local health services and track workforce trends;
coordinates monthly conference calls and webinars for local health directors; advises
the Commissioner on the appointments of directors and acting directors of local health
agencies and tracks compliance; coordinates the bi-annual Commissioner meetings with
local health directors; serves as a central focal point for local public health issues within the
department, investigating consumer complaints with local health directors and their staff;
oversees the Connecticut Per Capita Grants-in-Aid for local health agencies; updates statutes
and regulations related to local health agencies; submits new legislative proposals to improve
and support delivery of public health services at the local level; reviews proposed legislation
and determines the impact on local public health and provides recommendations, when needed;
and maintains a webpage and current local health agency directory to include
contact information, addresses, and after-hour notification information.
Public Health Preparedness and Response
The DPH Office of Public Health Preparedness and Response (OPHPR) is responsible for
the development and implementation of the state’s public health emergency plan and initiatives.
The office ensures compliance with all state and federal mandates with respect to preparedness
and response, and directs department operations during emergencies. The office is also responsible
for identifying and securing grants in support of the state’s public health preparedness efforts
and coordinating the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Public Health Emergency
Preparedness, Bioterrorism Laboratory and the Hospital Preparedness Program cooperative
agreements.
Deployment of the Strategic National Stockpile, Mobile Field Hospital, Mass Casualty trailers,
Mass Casualty Management, City Readiness Initiative, Health-related Nuclear Emergency
Response, Medical Reserve Corps, Mass Fatality Management and Disaster Medical Assistance
Team are anaged and coordinated through OPHPR. Statewide public health and healthcare
communications are coordinated by OPHPR in collaboration with the state Division of Emergency
Management and Homeland Security (DEMHS). The office partners with DEMHS and the Military
Department for the New England Disaster Training Center, a training facility that offers unique
hands-on training focused on preparing civilian and military disaster responders.