Department+of+Health

toc
 * Department of Health **

The Wyoming Department of Health (WDH) is the primary state agency for providing health services. It administers programs maintaining the health and safety of all citizens (W.S. 9-2-101). Many earlier divisions and programs were transferred to it. The Department of Health includes the Aging Division, the Behavioral Health Division, the Division of Healthcare Financing, and the Public Health Division.

The Department of Health works together with the State Hospital, the Advisory Committee on Emergency Medical Services, the Health Advisory Council, the Pioneer Home, the Early Intervention Council, the Health Benefits Plan Committee, the Wyoming Life Resource Center, the Retirement Center, and the Veterans’ Home of Wyoming.

**Contact information:** Hathaway Building, Room 401 2300 Capitol Avenue Cheyenne 82002 Phone (307) 777-7656, Fax (307) 777-7439 Toll Free (866) 571-0944 Email: wdh@wyo.gov
 * Website: ** [|health.wyo.gov] (2015 State Directory)

= History =

The Department of Health was created in 1990.

=Divisions=

Aging Division
The Aging Division develops and administers a statewide comprehensive plan to address programs and services for older adults and physically disabled adults (W.S. 9-2-1201 through W.S. 9-2-1215) Contact information: CenturyLink Building, Suite 186 6101 Yellowstone Road Cheyenne 82002 Phone (307) 777-7986 or (800) 442-2766 Fax (307) 777-5340 Email: wyaging@wyo.gov Website: [|health.wyo.gov/aging] (2015 State Directory) The Aging Divison works with the Wyoming Senior Services Board. The Board shall review program grants and grant proposals, approve grant criteria through rules and regulations, and monitor expenditure of monies awarded to eligible senior centers throughout Wyoming.


 * Contact information:** CenturyLink Building, Suite 186A 6101 Yellowstone Road Cheyenne 82002 Phone (307) 777-7995, Fax (307) 777-5340
 * Website:** [|health.wyo.gov/aging/wssb/wssb.html] (2015 State Directory)

Behavioral Health Division
The Behavioral Health Division’s purpose and intent is to establish, maintain and promote the development of a comprehensive range of services in communities in the state to provide prevention of, and treatment for individuals affected by development disabilities, acquired brain injury, mental illness, and/or substance abuse issues. (W.S. 35-1-611 through W.S. 35-1-628).


 * Contact information:** CenturyLink Building, Suite 220 Yellowstone Road Cheyenne 82002, Phone (307) 777-6494, (307) 777-7115 6101 Fax (307) 777-5849 and (307) 777-5580 Toll Free (800) 535-4006 Email: behavioralhealthdivision@wyo.gov
 * Website:** [|health.wyo.gov/behavioralhealth] (2015 State Directory)

Division of Healthcare Financing
The Division of Healthcare Financing was created to bring public healthcare programs under one umbrella for administrative purposes. The State Medicaid Agent serves as the Senior Administrator with responsibility for oversight and technical assistance provided to the divisions that administer Medicaid within the Wyoming Department of Health. The Division comprises of three distinct units: Medicaid Program, Kid Care Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and Office of Pharmacy Services.


 * Contact information:** CenturyLink Building, Suite 210 6101 Yellowstone Road Cheyenne 82002 Phone (307) 777-7531, Fax (307) 777-6964
 * Website:** [|health.wyo.gov/healthcarefin] (2015 State Directory)

Public Health Division
The Public Health Division includes the State Health Officer (licensed in Wyoming as a physician and who will carry out the statutory duties and any other duties assigned to them by the WDH Director. The State Health Officer provides medical information to the WDH Director, and provides medical advice department-wide. Immunization exemption requests are reviewed and granted by either the State Health Officer or the appropriate county health officer. Communication between the medical community and the Department is a function of the State Health Officer), Community Health Section (which coordinates services, education and health promotion activities to residents of Wyoming that are community-based and family-centered), Health Readiness and Response Section (which coordinates preparedness and response for public health emergencies, coordinates efforts to improve the health of rural medically under served residents and maintains and enhances the Emergency Medical System and Trauma System within Wyoming), and the Public Health Sciences Section


 * Contact information:** CenturyLink Building, Suite 420 6101 Yellowstone Road Cheyenne 82002 Phone (307) 777-6004 Email: wdh@wyo.gov
 * Website:** [|health.wyo.gov/publichealth] (2015 State Directory)

Advisory Committee on Emergency Medical Services
The Advisory Committee on Emergency Medical Services was created in 1976. It assists federal, state, and local agencies, private industry and interested citizens in the development and implementation of an integrated, statewide program for emergency medical services. The Committee stimulates the interest, planning and development of activities which will result in the highest possible standard of medical care to victims of trauma and critical illness in Wyoming.


 * Contact Information: **CenturyLink Building, Suite 400 6101 Yellowstone Road Office of Emergency Medical Services Cheyenne 82002 Email: Phone (307) 777-7955, Fax (307) 777-5639
 * Website:** [|health.wyo.gov/sho/ems] (// 2015 State Directory) //

Health Advisory Council
The Health Advisory Council, authorized by W.S. 9-2-107, provides advice and counsel on current health issues to the Department of Health Director. Contact information: Hathaway Building, Room 401 2300 Capitol Avenue Director, Department of Health Cheyenne 82002 Phone (307) 777-7656, Fax (307) 777-7439 Email: wdh@wyo.gov Website: [|health.wyo.gov] (2015 State Directory)

Early Intervention Council
The Early Intervention Council advises and assists the Wyoming Department of Health, Behavioral Health Division in the development and implementation of a statewide system of services to infants/toddlers and children up to the age of five with developmental delays or disabilities and their families. The Governor appoints all council members. The Early Intervention Council has working committees open to anyone interested in services for young children with special needs and their families. The Council exists by authority of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA 2004), P.L.108-446 Part C. Contact information is CenturyLink Building, Suite 220 6101 Yellowstone Road Part C Cheyenne 82002 Phone (307) 777-5246, Fax (307) 777-6047 Website: [|health.wyo.gov/behavioralhealth] (// 2015 State Directory) //

Health Benefits Plan Committee
The Health Benefits Plan Committee develops a state benchmark package of benefits for the Kid Care CHIP program, including minimum benefit levels, cost sharing factors, exclusions and limitations. The Committee submits its recommendations to the Wyoming Department of Health initially within ninety days of appointment and then biennially thereafter. Contact information: CenturyLink Building, Suite 210 6101 Yellowstone Road Program Manager, Children's Health Insurance Cheyenne 82002 Phone (307) 777-6228, Fax (307) 777-7085 Website: [|health.wyo.gov/chip] (2015 State Directory)

=Institutions=

State Hospital
The State Hospital was created in 1887. Established by W.S. 25-1-201, the mission of the Wyoming State Hospital is “to improve the lives of people in Wyoming affected by mental illness.” The Hospital is a center for treatment, rehabilitation and recovery.It is the only state-operated psychiatric hospital in Wyoming, and provides a full range of services and programs for adults in need of our specialties.


 * Contact information:** 831 Highway 150 South P.O. Box 177 Evanston 82931-0177 Phone (307) 789-3464 or (800) 525-1116 Fax (307) 789-5277
 * Website: ** [|health.wyo.gov/statehospital] (2015 State Directory)

Pioneer Home
The Pioneer Home was established in 1947 by W.S. 25-1-201 and W.S. 25-8-101.Its purpose is to provide a place of care and maintenance of residents of the state who are challenged by the aging process. The facility is operated as an assisted living home to provide a secure, dignified, high quality of life for residents suffering from aging conditions, regardless of financial resources. Contact information: 141 Pioneer Home Drive Thermopolis 82443 Phone (307) 864-3151, Fax (307) 864-2934 Website:[| health.wyo.gov/pioneerhome] (2015 State Directory)

Wyoming Life Resource Center
The Wyoming Life Resource Center, formerly called the Wyoming State Training School, is one of five healthcare facilities with the Wyoming Department of Health serving Wyoming citizens with developmental disabilities, mental retardation, acquired brain injuries and other significant long term care needs. (W.S. 25-5- 101 through W.S. 25-5-135; 9-2-106(d)) Contact information: Administration Office 8204 Wyoming Highway 789 Lander 82520-2945 Phone (307) 335-6700 Fax (307) 335-6990 Health Care Center Fax (307) 335-6991 Personnel Office Fax (307) 335-6992 Email: wdh-wlrc@wyo.gov Website: [|health.wyo.gov/wlrc] (2015 State Directory)

Wyoming Retirement Center
Established in 1921 by W.S. 25-1-201 and W.S. 25-8-101, the purpose of the Wyoming Retirement Center is to provide a place of care and maintenance of residents of the state who are afflicted with disabilities or infirmities. The Institution is operated as a "safety-net" nursing facility to provide a secure, dignified, high quality of life for residents suffering from multiple chronic diseases, disabling behaviors, disabilities or aging conditions. Contact information: 890 US Highway 20 South Basin 82410 Phone (307) 568-2431, Fax (307) 568-3887 TTY (307) 568-2431 Website: [|health.wyo.gov/retirement] (2015 State Directory)

Veterans' Home
Established in 1895 by W.S. 25-1-201 and W.S. 25-9-101, the purpose of the Veterans’ Home of Wyoming is for the care and treatment of honorably discharged veterans and their dependents. The Institution is operated as an assisted living facility to provide a secure, dignified, high quality of life for residents suffering from wounds, disease, old age or other infirmities.

Contact information: 700 Veterans' Lane Buffalo 82834-9402 Phone (307) 684-5511, Fax (307) 684-7636 Website: [|health.wyo.gov/vets/index.html] (2015 State Directory)