Utah Department of Health and Human Services

Do you care for a loved one with dementia? You’re not alone. In Utah, 99,000 caregivers provide 122 million hours of unpaid care to loved ones with dementia each year. That’s an estimated value of nearly $2.3 billion. Local and national resources may be available for unpaid caregivers. Learn more on our website at dementia.utah.gov/caregivers/ and click on “Local caregiver resources” to learn what resources are available in your area.

Have a concern about a youth in a congregate care program? The Congregate Care Ombuds (CCO) can help! The CCO is an impartial and independent team whose core function is to serve as an advocate for youth in congregate care programs. We can resolve concerns by offering resources, explaining policies, working directly with the congregate care program, or opening an investigation. The process is simple: Intake: Contact us by phone, email, online form, or mail. We'll listen to your concerns and ask about your preferred outcomes. Preliminary Investigation Review: We'll review concerns and gather more information, which may involve contacting parents, program staff, or reviewing records. Investigation (if needed): This may include site visits, interviews with staff and youth, and review of records. We will always follow up with you and keep you updated throughout the case. Reach out today: Website: dhhs.utah.gov/office-of-ombu…

Accessing critical reports during difficult times is now more straightforward. 🛡️ Securely request and track autopsy and toxicology reports directly through the #MyUtah portal at myutah.gov.

Keep your family’s health records right in your pocket. 🏥 Use #MyUtah at myutah.gov to securely view or download immunization records for you and your children in seconds!

Check out the MyUtah website! Utahns can now access DHHS services —all in one streamlined place with MyUtah. Experience a better way to connect with state services: myutah.gov

MyUtah brings common services into one easy-to-navigate, secure site, saving you time and reducing confusion. “MyUtah is about a better user experience,” said Gov. Cox. “Utahns should be able to get what they need without jumping through hoops. This is a practical upgrade that saves time, reduces confusion, and helps people trust what they are seeing online.” Utahns can now access DHHS services from multiple offices all in one place, and make sure to look forward to more services being added in the future! Experience a better way to connect with state services: myutah.gov

Today, we want to spotlight our Fall 2025 DHHS Heart of Excellence Award recipients! These team members represent some of the best public service employees in state government. Each one of them has a strong dedication to public service and embody our department values of connection, impact, empathy, innovation, equity, accountability, support, and efficacy. Congratulations to all the winners!

🔗 letschat.utah.gov

If you have trouble talking with your teen, try reflective listening. Take it from Doug Thomas, Intermountain LCSW. It's a tried-and-true way to improve your connection. Visit the CHAT program website for more ways to connect with the teen in your life. Link in first comment.

Have a concern about a youth in a congregate care program? The Congregate Care Ombuds (CCO) can help! The CCO is an impartial and independent team whose core function is to serve as an advocate for youth in congregate care programs. We can resolve concerns by offering resources, explaining policies, working directly with the congregate care program, or opening an investigation. The process is simple: Intake: Contact us by phone, email, online form, or mail. We'll listen to your concerns and ask about your preferred outcomes. Preliminary Investigation Review: We'll review concerns and gather more information, which may involve contacting parents, program staff, or reviewing records. Investigation (if needed): This may include site visits, interviews with staff and youth, and review of records. We will always follow up with you and keep you updated throughout the case. Reach out today: Website: dhhs.utah.gov/office-of-ombu…

Stay safe this Valentine’s Day! Romance scams can target people by creating a fake online profile to trick someone into giving them money. Older adults who are lonely or isolated can be at high risk of falling for these scams. If you have a loved one who might be at risk, here are some tips you can share with them: ✅ Don’t give out personal information to people you don’t know well. ✅ If someone asks for money, it’s a scam! Never send money to someone you have not met. ✅ Connect with people in your own community through activities at your local senior center. You can search senior centers by location at daas.utah.gov/locations/ If you think you’ve been scammed, report it to the FBI at ic3.gov.

CHIP Estatal es un plan de seguro médico del Estado gratuito o de bajo costo para niños. Los niños no-ciudadanos estadounidenses con padres que trabajan pueden ser elegibles. ⚠️CHIP Estatal cerrará las inscripciones el 31 de enero de 2026. Seguirán aceptando aplicaciones hasta finales de mes. Los niños que actualmente están en CHIP Estatal seguirán teniendo cobertura incluso después de que se cierren las inscripciones al programa. El Programa de Seguro de Salud para Niños (CHIP) tradicional siempre está abierto para inscripciones.

State CHIP is a free or low-cost state health insurance plan for children. Non-U.S. citizen children with working parents may be eligible. ⚠️State CHIP will close enrollment on January 31, 2026. Applications will continue to be accepted until the end of the month. Kids currently on State CHIP will stay covered even after the program closes enrollment. The traditional Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) is always open for enrollment.

Have a concern about a youth in a congregate care program? The Congregate Care Ombuds (CCO) can help! The CCO is an impartial and independent team whose core function is to serve as an advocate for youth in congregate care programs. We can resolve concerns by offering resources, explaining policies, working directly with the congregate care program, or opening an investigation. The process is simple: Intake: Contact us by phone, email, online form, or mail. We'll listen to your concerns and ask about your preferred outcomes. Preliminary Investigation Review: We'll review concerns and gather more information, which may involve contacting parents, program staff, or reviewing records. Investigation (if needed): This may include site visits, interviews with staff and youth, and review of records. We will always follow up with you and keep you updated throughout the case. Reach out today: Website: dhhs.utah.gov/office-of-ombu…

🔗 letschat.utah.gov

This tip can make all the difference for your teen: Eat dinner together. Kids who have regular family meals feel closer to their families and do better in school.  More info at the link in the comments.

After her husband died, Jodi found herself unsure if she could continue to meet the needs of her son Jacob. Jacob has disabilities that require extensive support and care. The Division of Services for People with Disabilities (DSPD) was able to help her meet that need through Medicaid waiver services. For Jodi, that meant moving from a place of fear and exhaustion to a place of hope. Through waiver services, Jacob found: -Independence: A group home of his own choosing. -Community: A job where he serves others with pride. -Joy: Regular trips to the zoo, movies, and swimming. "Waiver services have truly changed our lives and kept our family together and happy," Jodi said. "My son is thriving, and I have peace of mind knowing he’s safe." We are honored to support families in finding the balance between necessary care and the independent life everyone deserves. Interested in learning more? Visit dspd.utah.gov or dhhs.utah.org.

The Department of Health and Human Services' public offices will be closed Monday, January 20, in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Big news for Utah health! Utah ranked #5 Nationwide for overall health and well-being in the latest America's Health Rankings report from the United Health Foundation! The rankings synthesize 99 measures of health and well-being, drawn from 31 data sources, across five categories: social and economic factors, physical environment, clinical care, behaviors, and health outcomes. A Look at our progress: Utah's ranking has shown a strong, positive trend: 2023: #9 2024: #6 2025: #5 We're scoring well on key indicators like low excessive drinking, low prevalence of chronic conditions, and low homicide rate. However, the report highlights areas where we need to focus: 🛑 High prevalence of non-medical drug use. 🛑 Low number of primary care providers per 100,000 people. 🛑 High prevalence of adults avoiding medical care due to cost. 🛑 Rising obesity rates (up to 31% of adults). 👉 Read the full report: americashealthrankings.org/publications/r…