Description:
The Office of Program Integrity and Accountability (OPIA) works collaboratively to strengthen and integrate best and promising practices in the operations of the Department of Human Services (DHS).
OPIA has direct responsibility for incident investigations, licensing of human services programs and facilities, and ensuring fiscal and program accountability of community programs and departmental units.
Goals and Core Values
The primary goal of OPIA is to integrate and consolidate common functions across DHS into a core model that promotes efficiency, consistency, safety and a culture of accountability.
All DHS practices and services are grounded in a core set of values, and accountability begins with these values. These values and principles are integral to the mission and mandates of all DHS programs and divisions.
These core principles and values include:
-Individual, family and community safety
-Person-centered practices
-Government, consumer, community partnerships
-Strengths-based approaches
-Integrated services and resources
-Cultural competence and sensitivity
-Accountability at all levels
Uniquely Independent
The OPIA has a unique role in DHS in that it independently verifies and validates the activities and operations required and carried out by various departmental units.
The OPIA is the entity that certifies DHS compliance with various state and federal regulations. It independently investigates or conducts reviews of abuse, neglect and fatalities, as well as conducts financial and program audits.
Mission Statement
The Office of Program Integrity and Accountability provides the leadership for planning, organizing and implementing the integration, consolidation and streamlining efforts of the Department of Human Services.
It provides the functional structure for improving outcomes and quality of service across all divisions and operating units, and for establishing a sustainable culture of accountability to core principles and desired outcomes integral to mission, mandates and performance standards.