Department for Communities and Functional Capacity

The Department for Communities and Functional Capacity is responsible for matters related to health and social services for children, young people and families, services for people with disabilities, services for older people, medical rehabilitation, the promotion of social wellbeing, functional capacity and health and the prevention of diseases.
The Department is also responsible for the coordination of the Ministry’s government grant activities and for grants awarded to health and social organisations. 
The Department coordinates the issues that it is responsible for with a wider framework for healthcare and social welfare policy and societal policy and performs related national and international tasks in cooperation with other departments and stakeholders.

Units and personnel of the Department

The Department for Communities and Functional Capacity is headed by Director General Annakaisa Iivari.
(Secretary Taina Pahkamaa-Huusko)

Children and Young People Unit (LANU)

The Unit is responsible for matters related to:

  • maternity and child health clinics
  • school and student healthcare 
  • services of school psychologists and school social workers in student welfare
  • family social work, child and family counselling services, family work and support for parenting
  • child protection
  • state reform schools
  • adoption
  • primary mental health and substance abuse services for children and young people
  • wellbeing of children, young people and families, the prevention of exclusion and the strengthening of inclusion.

Director Reija Klemetti
(Secretary Noora Manni)

Functional Capacity Unit (TOK)

The Unit is responsible for matters related to:

  • promotion of social wellbeing, functional capacity and health and the prevention of diseases
  • healthy nutrition, health-promoting physical exercise and the promotion of mental health
  • services for people with disabilities
  • services for older people
  • medical rehabilitation
  • healthcare and social welfare services promoting the capacity and ability to work
  • other health and social services for the target group
  • appropriation for health promotion.

Director Taru Koivisto
(Secretary Eeva Kankaanpää)

Shared Services Unit (YPA)

The Unit is responsible for matters related to:

  • coordination and development of the Department’s activities, along with general matters at the Department (excl. general administration matters under the responsibility of the Funding Centre for Social Welfare and Health Organisations STEA)
  • development and coordination of government grant activities, apart from the European Union’s structural fund projects
  • preparation and coordination of financial issues, payments and invoicing, travel arrangements and technical support for law drafting falling within the purview of the Department for Communities and Functional Capacity, the Department for Clients and Services in Healthcare and Social Welfare and the Department for Safety, Security and Health
  • matters concerning the Funding Centre for Social Welfare and Health Organisations STEA and grants awarded to health and social organisations.

Director Kirsi Kaikko
(Secretary Seija Perttula)

Funding Centre for Social Welfare and Health Organisations (STEA)

  • is responsible for grants awarded to health and social organisations
  • prepares grant proposals
  • pays grants
  • supervises the use of grants
  • makes impact assessments
  • provides information about the processes relevant to the application for and use of government grants.

Director Hanna Heinonen