General Description of Functions/Services

Staff of the Planning Coordination & Quality Control Unit are called upon by the Secretary and by staff of the various Divisions to provide technical assistance, carry out special in-depth research and analysis, and manage projects of the types described below:

• Human Subjects Review Board (HSRB)
  The HSRB functions in accordance with federal regulations governing Institutional Review Boards. The Board’s activities are managed by this Unit, providing both the chairperson and primary staffing. Projects must be submitted for HSRB review whenever Department clients are to be the subjects of a research project. This mandate covers research done both by DHSS staff and outside researchers. Only after a project has been approved by the Board and the DHSS Secretary can it be carried out. The Board must have at least 12 members, three of whom must be from outside the Department. Currently, there are four outside members, representing the areas of law, ethics, prisoner advocacy and nursing.
• Quality Control
  This unit determines the eligibility for and accuracy of the benefits received by clients for Food Stamps and  Medicaid. It also provides feedback to the Division of Social Services staff regarding findings and assists in developing solutions to problems identified.
• Special Projects/Analysis of Cross-Cutting Issues/Program Coordination
  Topics handled by this unit are usually those that affect more than one target population, typically involving several Divisions within DHSS and possibly outside stakeholders/consumers/advocates. Generally, the project involves bringing together a group of subject matter experts from throughout the Department to fulfill the given assignment.

Additional Information

• Services
  • Human Subjects Review Board review
• Publications and Forms
• PQC Contact Information
• Service and Administrative Office Locations