DHHS PACS

The Community Reviews, which are part of PACS, are a process of structured program self-assessments and subsequent independent reviews performed by knowledgeable panel of trained community volunteers. The reviews informs DHHS on how well aligned a program’s service delivery is with the Department’s missions and objectives. A Community Review is not a performance or financial audit, nor is it a program evaluation or in depth Quality Service Review (QSR). Instead, it provides a perspective of service delivery from the community or client’s perspective Who are Community Reviewers? Reviewers are knowledgeable of the health and human service field and reflective of the diversity of Montgomery County. Review opportunities are open to residents who volunteer for service. The team comprises three to four reviewers supported by the PACS coordinator throughout the entire process. Reviewers are not employees but people from the community who receive specialized orientation and training to prepare for the review.

Planning, Accountability and Customer Service (PACS), located within the Office of the Director, supports the Department’s mission by providing performance measurement, data collection and management, evaluation and analytics, and policy analysis that ensures high quality equitable service delivery to promote and ensure residents’ health and safety and build individual and family strength and self-sufficiency outcomes. PACS accomplishes its primary area of work through: • Developing and refining of DHHS program and system measures with a focus on meaningful client outcomes; • Training and deployment of targeted Quality Service Reviews and Community Reviews; • Supporting client service integration through the Intensive Teaming Meeting process; • Capacity building on appropriate performance metrics for service areas, programs, pand complex social service systems; • Leveraging advanced integrated technology, data systems and innovative analytical tools; and • Developing effective partnerships with other government agencies, community partners, universities and research centers.