Printed from: http://www.hillsboroughcounty.org/hss/about/history.cfm on 11/22/2009

Historical Background   In 1996, the County Administrator consolidated all health and social services into one department, which has allowed for the employment of the holistic approach to serving client needs and providing for greater efficiency in clients' receiving services for which they are eligible. This approach has resulted in "stretching" the service dollar and improved effectiveness of service in preventing larger emergency situations for clients.   Hillsborough County has a long history of providing emergency services to its citizens to meet their basic needs, both health and social, when there is no other resource available to them.   The Board of County Commissioners and the Administration recognize that providing help when it's needed to its citizens who are at the bottom of the economic ladder, most often prevents a slip into deeper poverty, and strengthens the overall quality of life for the entire community.