In this chapter unless the context or subject matter otherwise requires:

1.    “Department” means the department of health and human services.

2.    “Human service zone” means a county or consolidated group of counties administering human services within a designated area in accordance with an agreement or plan approved by the department of human services.

3.    “Human services” means:

a.    A service or assistance provided to an individual or an individual’s family in need of services or assistance, including child welfare services, economic assistance programs, medical service programs, and aging service programs, to assist the individual or the individual’s family in achieving and maintaining basic self-sufficiency, including physical health, mental health, education, welfare, food and nutrition, and housing.

b.    A service or assistance provided, administered, or supervised by the department in accordance with chapter 50-06.

c.    Licensing duties as administered or supervised by the department or delegated by the department of human services to a human service zone.