The Office of the Chief of Staff is responsible for assisting the Director in the daily operations of the Department.  The Chief of Staff (COS) carries out the mission of the Director in providing guidance, direction and oversight to Administrations and Offices within the Department. The Chief of Staff acts on behalf of the Director in the Director’s absence.  The office is also responsible for oversight of agency-wide policy development, public information, legislative affairs and agency-wide strategic planning.  This office also serves as the liaison with the Office of the Chief Financial Officer and coordinates with the CFO to ensure the budget meets the agency’s needs and that spending is within budget.  The following four offices are managed by the COS.