The purpose of this Chapter is to develop a consumer-centered system of publicly-financed state administered health and human services that supports access to high quality services, protects the safety of the state’s most vulnerable citizens, and ensures the efficient use of all available resources by the four (4) departments responsible for the health and human services programs serving all Rhode Islanders and providing direct assistance and support services to more than 250,000 individuals and families: the department of children, youth and families; the department of health; the department of human services; and the department of behavioral healthcare, developmental disabilities and hospitals, collectively referred to within as “departments.” It is recognized that the executive office of health and human services and the departments have undertaken a variety of initiatives to further this goal and that they share a commitment to continue to work in concert to preserve and promote each other’s unique missions while striving to attain better outcomes for all the people and communities they serve. However, recent and expected changes in federal and state policies and funding priorities that affect the financing, organization, and delivery of health and human services programs pose new challenges and opportunities that have created an even greater need for structured and formal interdepartmental cooperation and collaboration. To meet this need while continuing to build on the achievements that have already been made, the interests of all Rhode Islanders will best be served by codifying in the state’s general laws the purposes and responsibilities of the executive office of health and human services and the position of secretary of health and human services.