What We Do
The Secretary of Health and Human Resources oversees twelve state agencies which provide often-vital services to Virginians with mental retardation, mental illness, substance abuse and physical disability concerns; to low-income working families; and to the aging community. In addition, our agencies license health practitioners and ensure safe drinking water in the Commonwealth.
Our Top Question
Where can I get help in getting my birth certificate, a death certificate, marriage or divorce record?
To obtain a copy of a vital record, contact the Office of Vital Records and Health Statistics at (804) 662-6200 or go to the Virginia Department of Health's Office of Vital Records.
In the News
Governor Kaine Announces Expansion of Health Care Access
December 12 — Governor Timothy M. Kaine stood today with health care advocates and members of the Health Reform Commission to announce his proposal to expand access to health care for the uninsured. The Governor’s proposed budget will include funding to increase women’s access to critical preventive care, expand the health care safety net for the uninsured, and launch a pilot initiative to provide insurance to more working families.
“One in seven Virginians still lack health insurance because their employers don’t provide it or because they cannot afford it,” Governor Kaine said. “As more citizens rely on our health care safety net for their most basic health needs, we must strengthen that system. We must also look for new, innovative ways to provide access to health insurance, sharing responsibility with our private sector partners and our citizens.”
Governor Kaine Announces Improvements to Child Services
December 11 - Governor Timothy M. Kaine announced improvements proposed in his budget to services for the Commonwealth’s most vulnerable children, including more funding for foster care and adoption efforts and an initiative to serve children in the communities where they live. The proposal also includes funds to collect data about how well children are served through the Comprehensive Services Act (CSA), giving localities a stronger tool to provide effective services in the most appropriate settings.
“Our goal is to better serve Virginia’s children who rely on our comprehensive services and mental health care systems and to increase the number of children in permanent living arrangements,” said Governor Kaine. “We want to move to a system of care for at-risk children that is more child-centered, family-focused, and community-based.”
- View the Governor's news release
- View the presentation: Virginia Children's Services Reform Overview (pdf, 166kb)
Governor’s Healthy Students Summit
Richmond - The Healthy Students Summit on September 20 was a great success. Thanks to all who participated. To learn more about the Summit and view materials from it, click here.