'Department of Hindrance Services': Senators Lambaste DHS for Lack of Efficacy and Effort in Addressing Departmental Challenges

“We pay for y’all to use your heads. Stop sitting on it,” said Senator Kenneth Gittens to Department of Human Services Commissioner Kimberly Causey-Gomez during Tuesday’s hearing of the Senate Committee on Budget, Appropriations and Finance.

Causey-Gomez and several members of the DHS executive team appeared to defend the department’s fiscal year 2024 budget request of just under $258 million, 28 percent, or $72.3 million of which is anticipated to come from the territory’s General Fund, with the bulk of the remainder coming from federal dollars. Non-appropriated, special funds will comprise 1 percent of the total budget, the commissioner disclosed.

Ms. Causey-Gomez noted the keen interest lawmakers have taken in the operations of her department. "Many of you have called or emailed to schedule a visit to one of our facilities where we serve our most vulnerable population,” she said, thanking them for their passion. “Your continued commitment to fund the department…allows our DHS professionals to better provide social services that will enhance the quality of life for individuals and families with diverse needs in the Virgin Islands."

That passion, however, resulted in sharp and at times painful scrutiny of the department’s efforts in delivering an acceptable level of service to those who need them, with senators expressing in no uncertain terms that they feel DHS is falling short.