Organization and Structure
The Department of Health is one of four departments within the Agency of Human Services. It provides services through 12 district health offices, as well as with numerous partner organizations and agencies throughout the state.
The Health Department also works in close cooperation with the Department of Mental Health, including the Vermont State Hospital in Waterbury, and the 10 regional designated mental health agencies.
The department's administrative offices, the state's public health laboratory, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, statewide program staff, and the Depart,ment of Mental Health are located in Burlington.
Department of Health Divisions and Offices
***The Department of Health recently underwent a realignment of its organization. As a result, several of the department's division, office and program web pages are under construction or will be revised to reflect this new structure.
- Alcohol and Drug Abuse Programs (ADAP)
- Board of Medical Practice
- Office of Local Health (formerly Community Public Health)
- Office of Maternal and Child Health
- Office of Public Health Preparedness
- Health Improvement
- Health Promotion & Disease Prevention
- Health Protection
- Health Surveillance
- Department of Mental Health
Organizational Charts
***All charts are in PDF format
- Office of the Commissioner
- Deputy Commissioner for Alcohol and Drug Abuse Programs
- Deputy Commissioner for Public Health
12 District Offices
The 12 district offices are the primary point of access to public health programs for many Vermonters. The district offices work in partnership with local health care providers, voluntary agencies, schools, businesses and community organizations to address public health issues specific to their community and to carry out statewide initiatives at a local level.
Partnering for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Treatment
Through the 10 regional designated mental health agencies, the Vermont State Hospital, and other partner organizations and agencies throughout the state, the department works to address the behavioral health needs of Vermonters.
The Vermont State Hospital is the state's primary facility for inpatient care for the state's most seriously mentally ill people. While the 10 designated agencies provide outpatient care; the hospital functions as a psychiatric intensive care unit, and is a safety net for the entire system of mental health care. On any given day, there are 48 to 52 people receiving inpatient treatment at the Vermont State Hospital.
Wide Array of Service
With a total workforce of 850 employees, the Department of Health is one of the largest in state government and serves a wide array of Vermonters including pregnant women; breastfeeding mothers; children and adults with mental health disorders; smokers; infants; families; health care providers; youth; refugees; children with special health needs; people with chronic health conditions; and many, many more.
Services address the full spectrum of care including prevention, intervention, treatment and recovery. In addition, the department provides toxicology and risk assessment related to environmental health concerns, inspects and licenses food and lodging establishments, maintains the state's system of Vital Records (birth, death, marriage and divorce certicates), and tests drinking water for private well owners.
Please explore our web site to learn more about the different services and programs offered by the Vermont Department of Health.