What is the Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA)?

    The Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) is one of the four groups within the County of San Diego. Its mission is to provide essential health and social services to enhance people’s lives, making them healthier, safer, and more self-sufficient. 

    Why did HHSA develop a strategic plan?

    The Health and Human Services Agency developed a strategic plan, called The Agency Promise, to serve as a guide in fulfilling the goal to advance opportunities for all San Diegans to Live WellHere are some reasons why strategic planning is important for HHSA: 

    • Alignment: A strategic plan ensures that HHSA’s goals and activities are aligned with its mission, vision, and core values. It provides a clear roadmap for achieving set goals. 
    • Adaptability: A strategic plan allows HHSA to adapt to changing needs, health and social issues, and technological advancements. 

    • Optimize Resources: By identifying priorities and allocating resources strategically, HHSA can optimize its budget, staff, and other resources. This helps in maximizing impact while minimizing waste. 

    • Community Engagement: Involving community members, partners, and staff in the planning process fosters collaboration, transparency, and ownership. 

    The strategic plan serves as a roadmap for HHSA to improve health outcomes, eliminate health disparities, and deliver essential services in San Diego County. 

    What does the strategic plan do?

    The Health and Human Services Agency strategic plan, called The Agency Promise, outlines agency goals aligned to the County General Management System. Here are some key functions of the Agency Promise:

    • Direction and Focus: The strategic plan provides clarity on where HHSA is headed and makes sure all departments are working toward the same goal. 

    • Goal Setting: Strategic planning is an opportunity to set HHSA goals that guide decision-making and determine where resources go. 

    • Flexibility: The plan helps HHSA identify possible risks and challenges, allowing the group to adapt to changing circumstances.

    • Communication: The plan serves as a communication tool. It informs employees, partners, funders, and the community about HHSA priorities and how it plans to achieve them. 

    Why is HHSA engaging the public on their strategic plan?

    The Health and Human Services Agency wants to partner with the public to shape their strategic plan. This builds a collaborative partnership with the community to support community well-being and strengthen HHSA’s decision making, for several important reasons:

    • Transparency and Accountability: Bgetting the community’s input HHSA makes sure they are being transparent in decision-making process and held accountable.

    • Diverse Perspectives: The public brings diverse viewpoints, experiences, and needs. By involving the community, HHSA can make sure the strategic plan reflects a wide range of perspectives and considers the unique challenges faced by different groups. 

    • Better Solutions: Community members can provide feedback that creates innovative approaches and problem-solving.   

    • Ownership and Support: When HHSA brings community members in to help shape the Agency Promise, they are more likely to support and advocate for its successful implementation.  

    • Equity and InclusionPublic engagement promotes equity by allowing all voices to be heard. It helps HHSA address disparities and create policies that benefit everyone.