DSS is led by the Division Director who is supported by a Deputy Director, Chief Financial Officer and 415 permanent staff. DSS is comprised of four organizational sections: Program and Policy Development, Support Services, Service Delivery, and the Community Partner Support Unit.

Program and Policy Development

This section, referred to as the Policy & Program Development Unit (PPDU), is responsible for creating and managing the portfolio of DSS programs with the goal of maximizing benefits to clients while assuring efficient, effective use of taxpayer resources.

The PPDU develops programs and policies for cash assistance, Food benefits, Child Care Subsidy, Employment and Training, refugee services, and Emergency Assistance. It considers the agency mission, fiscal implications, technology requirements, and program performance expectations as an integral part of policy development. The PPDU is responsible for providing the tools needed to implement these programs and policies. PPDU is also responsible for maintaining the state plans for the TANF, Employment and Training, Child Care, and Refugee programs. It also maintains the Child Care Development Fund and the Social Services Block Grant.

Within the Policy and Program Development Unit, the Child Care Subsidy Program is a separate unit. The Child Care Unit manages customer and provider policy for the Child Care Program. It is charged with ensuring prompt child care subsidy payments to child care providers and self-arranged parents, making periodic child care site visits and timely resolution of payment issues. The Child Care Unit has responsibility for the CCDF and SSBG plans.

Support Services

This section is led by the DSS Chief Financial Officer.  The purpose of the Support Service Section is to help DSS execute its core process at an optimal level by providing training, technology, financial resources, facilities and information.  The Support Services Section is comprised of the following units:

• Facilities and Supplies
• Staff Development Unit
• Financial Management: Third Party Liability and Estate Recovery,  Accounting, Budget and Data.
• Reimbursement
• Technical Support

Service Delivery

The Service Delivery Section is led by one of the two DSS Deputy Directors.  It has offices throughout the state that determine eligibility for all DSS programs with the exception of the Delaware Prescription Assistance Program.  DSS has a contractor, Electronic Data Systems (EDS) that determines eligibility for the Delaware Prescription Assistance Program.

Service Delivery Food Supplement Program Case Reader staff supports the local eligibility offices by reviewing food benefit cases to assure the accuracy of benefits issued. This section also contains the DSS Customer Relations unit, which is responsible for handling to customer inquiries and complaints.

Community Partner Support Unit

The Community Partner Support Unit (CPSU) is a team of social workers and case managers who increase access to services by providing ongoing, personalized support to organizations that serve those who are eligible for state benefits.