Joe Dougherty

Communications director | Be kind | Assume the best intent | #Poetry nerd | #Leadership student | @USUaggies alum | Love my wife and kids |

[UUSS @UUSSquake]

UPDATED [v2]: 22 January 2026 14:49:20 UTC (22 January 2026 07:49:20 AM, MST) Mag=4.7 40.910 N -110.874 E Dep=9.1 mi. Event was 32.1 km (19.9 mi) SSW of Altamont, WY.

[Utah Department of Health and Human Services @UtahDHHS]

People react to tragic incidents in different ways. If you or someone you know is struggling, please call 988. This phone number is for anyone in crisis.

[Utah State University @USUAggies]

Lights, camera, Aggies! We are so back.

#collegelife #utahstateaggies #BackToSchool

[Utah Department of Health and Human Services @UtahDHHS]

The Utah Department of Health and Human Services would like to thank Utah’s first Lady Abby Cox (@showuputah) for visiting the Division of Child and Family Services Sandy office. While visiting with staff she listened as they talked about their challenges and offered solutions that could accomplish their ultimate goal: keep Utah’s children safe and help families thrive.

DHHS has made it a yearly priority to spend time listening to DCFS staff as well as community partners. These sessions can provide a lot of on-the-ground insight into how to improve DCFS services. The sessions, held statewide, began earlier this month and will continue into October.

[Utah Department of Health and Human Services @UtahDHHS]

Please don't ignore a call from [phone]. We're conducting a survey about health risks which has helped us detect cancer earlier, prevent suicide, and support people with chronic diseases. Learn more: https://t.co/OvO8qbg3vD

[Spencer Cox @SpencerJCox]

A terrible and tragic night. Abby and I join the entire state in mourning the loss of these courageous law enforcement officers. Our support and prayers go out to their families and fellow officers. May God bless all those who put themselves in harm’s way to keep us safe.

[Joe Dougherty @PIO_Joe]

Said farewell to @andersonljess today as he heads off to retirement and a new chapter in life. Glad to thank him for taking a chance on me as communications director for DPS in the midst of a pandemic and for doing the right things for the right reason. Good luck, Commissioner!

[Utah Department of Health and Human Services @UtahDHHS]

Measles in Utah update
As of July 1, 2025, Utah has 9 residents with confirmed measles:
7 people are Utah County residents
2 people are southwest Utah residents
All of these people are unvaccinated.

All of the people who have been identified with measles since last week are known contacts to the people who were identified earlier and were being actively monitored for measles symptoms.

Learn about measles symptoms and prevention at https://t.co/vwDBefUUER

[Utah Department of Health and Human Services @UtahDHHS]

Utah Measles Alert: Two new measles cases have been confirmed in Utah: One is an adult in Utah County, and the other is a Southwest Utah resident. This brings Utah’s total to 3 cases.
The two new cases are unvaccinated and not linked to each other or the person diagnosed with measles who was reported last week. Public health investigations are ongoing to identify any locations where possible exposures may have occurred.

[Joe Dougherty @PIO_Joe]

So proud of these teams at @UtahDHHS who demonstrate professionalism and who help Utahns every day.

[Utah Department of Health and Human Services @UtahDHHS]

Congratulations to the Competency and Outreach Restoration Program Team from the Utah State Hospital for winning the second Heart of Excellence Team Award! #DHHSHeartofExcellence #UtahDHHS

[Utah Department of Health and Human Services @UtahDHHS]

If you, or someone you know, are experiencing domestic or dating violence, resources are available.

Across the state, domestic violence shelters are available and open 24/7. Shelters offer support to adult victims and their children who need domestic violence services. Anyone, regardless of marital status, income, or other factors, can access services.

If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.

The Utah Domestic Violence Coalition hotline can be reached 24/7 at 1-800-897-5465 or online at https://t.co/I88sg7GVtH to connect you with shelter locations, resources, or safety planning.

The National Domestic Violence Hotline is available at 1-800-799-7233 or online at https://t.co/nhdoD7zhIV

Also, consider downloading the myPlan Safety App
which you can learn about at https://t.co/8fHSSwrmwr.

Built-in safety features include:
Completely anonymous to use - no account set up required
Set your own secure PIN code to keep info private
“Dummy code” hides contents of the app if forced to log in
Changeable icon to hide the app on your home screen

[Joe Dougherty @PIO_Joe]

Before I started here @UtahDHHS,
I never imagined how much I would love the Office of the Medical Examiner.

Their work around death is all about helping the living.

[Utah Department of Health and Human Services @UtahDHHS]

DYK 90% of what the Utah Office of the Medical Examiner does is to help the living? Many prevention and public health efforts are based on data gathered at the OME. They work to improve the health of all Utahns.

Learn more at https://t.co/qAlvO6g747

[Joe Dougherty @PIO_Joe]

Repost if you know someone who has a kid with one of these names!

[Utah Department of Health and Human Services @UtahDHHS]

Fun fact for the weekend... The most popular baby names in Utah for 2024...

[Utah Department of Health and Human Services @UtahDHHS]

This week, we kicked off the Legislative Session with reports to the Social Services Appropriations Subcommittee.

This committee reviews our base budget and considers @govCox’s recommended budget for our programs.

This is our opportunity to be accountable to your elected representatives in the Legislature.

Executive Director Tracy Gruber presented a department overview for the committee, which you can see here: https://t.co/bFPy6fbxuW

This week, the committee also heard requests for funding for:
• Treatment for substance use disorder and hepatitis C in Utah’s prisons.
• Robust, timely overdose fatality data collection by the Office of the Medical Examiner
• Support for thriving and healthy communities through Get Healthy Utah and more

Also, check out the Symposium on Aging we participated in just before session and how we want to help seniors enjoy as much independence as possible.

It’s an honor to serve you.

This coming week, legislators will review various sections of our department, starting with Operations on Monday.
#utleg

[Joe Dougherty @PIO_Joe]

Really proud of my team and the team at the Office of the Medical Examiner for producing this report in a way that can be used and understood by anyone.

Overdose deaths are devastating to family and friends.

This report outlines the data and gives actionable advice.

[Utah Department of Health and Human Services @UtahDHHS]

📢New report: More people died from a drug overdose in 2023 than ever before—and fentanyl was involved in nearly 50% of these deaths in our state. Fentanyl is extremely potent, low cost, and highly addictive.

We appreciate the dedication and support of @govcox and the Utah State Legislature in addressing the overdose crisis. There’s much work to do but we are committed to preventing unnecessary suffering and death in our families and communities and helping all Utahns have fair and equitable opportunities to live healthy and safe lives.

Check out the 2023 Fatal Drug Overdose Report at https://t.co/n3SXrRRdad

[Joe Dougherty @PIO_Joe]

I work with fantastic people who are true public servants.

[Utah Department of Health and Human Services @UtahDHHS]

🌟 Shining a spotlight on our Summer 2024 DHHS Heart of Excellence Award recipients! ✨

Today we share stories showcasing some of the best public service employees in state government. These individuals have a strong dedication to public service and embody our department values of connection, impact, empathy, innovation, equity, accountability, support, and efficacy. Congratulations to all the winners!

[Utah Department of Health and Human Services @UtahDHHS]

#TodayatDHHS our team is attending the @GovCox symposium on aging.

Aging happens to everyone, and as we age, we need to preserve our wealth, independence, security, and engagement.

Fortunately, Utah is the best state for aging. But the work is never done.

Nels Holmgren (left), director of our Division of Aging and Adult Sevices, will be leading a panel discussion today on independence and aging in place.

[Utah Department of Health and Human Services @UtahDHHS]

🌟 Shining a spotlight on our Summer 2024 DHHS Heart of Excellence Award recipients! ✨

Today we share stories showcasing some of the best public service employees in state government. These individuals have a strong dedication to public service and embody our department values of connection, impact, empathy, innovation, equity, accountability, support, and efficacy. Congratulations to all the winners!

[Joe Dougherty @PIO_Joe]

I appreciate my bosses’ emphasis on preparation. This type of collaboration is key to clear communication.

These prep events help all of us to be on the same page. In the largest department in state government, with a lot of moving parts, that matters.

[Utah Department of Health and Human Services @UtahDHHS]

#DHHSBehindTheScenes

On Friday, we held a marathon prep session for our department leaders who will present the governor's DHHS budget recommendations during the legislative session starting this month.

We appreciate the directors who took turns prepping for discussions with legislators on myriad issues, including supporting early childhood development, investments to keep kids and adults safe, care for those in institutions, supporting people with disabilities, and various recommendations in Aging and Adult Services that support the Governor’s WISE initiative.

WISE stands for Wealth, Independence, Security, and Engagement and is the foundation for how the state can provide more support to older Utahns and help them thrive.

We are grateful for @GovCox’s support for our mission!

#Utleg

[Joe Dougherty @PIO_Joe]

@Natecwinters Buckle up #TeamDHHS! #utleg