Guiding Principles

Vision	Maine people living safe, healthy, and productive lives
Mission	Provide integrated health and human services to the people of Maine to assist individuals in meeting their needs, while respecting the rights and preferences of the individual and family, within available resources.
Foundational Values	Honesty, Respect, Integrity, Responsibility, Accountability, Compassion, Empathy, Fairness
Guiding Principles	Treat consumers with dignity and respect Deliver services that are individualized, family-centered, easily accessible, preventative, independence-oriented, interdisciplinary, collaborative, evidence-based and consistent with best and promising practices. Value and support departmental staff as a critical connection to the consumer. Engage staff, stakeholders, providers and customers in a collaborative partnership that continuously seeks excellence in service design and delivery. Balance centralized accountability with regional flexibility. Align systems, actions, and values toward a common vision.
Department Goals	Protect and enhance the health and well-being of Maine people Promote independence and self sufficiency Protect and care for those who are unable to care for themselves Provide effective stewardship for the resources entrusted to the department
Department Outcomes	High Performing Staff Excellent Provider Partnerships Integrated Services Superior Customer Service Efficient and Effective Administration

Vision: All the components of the guiding principles are linked to one short, basic statement: That the Department has a vision - Maine people living safe, healthy and productive lives.
Mission: In order to have a vision, or a hope for the future as a Department, the Department needed a mission statement, or a sentence stating what the Department staff would and could do in order to achieve the vision.
Foundational Values: In order to carry out the mission of the Department, staff made a list of personal values they believe are important for every employee to have.
Guiding Principles: As staff carry out their jobs, they keep in mind a list of "guiding principles" that influence their interactions with customers, each other, business partners and community members.
Department Goals: When the mission, values, and guiding principles work together, the Department achieves these four goals.

The results of all these functional ideals are reflected in the Department "outcomes"

Vision