The Wisconsin Department of Health and Social Services (WIHV85-A674) was renamed the Department of Health and Family Services on July 1, 1996. In Wisconsin State Archives database entries, the above form of name is used for all appropriate records dating 1996 to 2008. On July 1, 2008 the Department was renamed the Department of Health Services.
The Department administers a wide range of services to clients in the community and at state institutions, regulates certain care providers, and supervises and consults with local public and voluntary agencies. Its broad responsibilities span the areas of public health, mental health, substance abuse, long-term care, services to the disabled, medical assistance, and children's services.