Pound Pup Legacy

The new Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) was established by Public Law, Chapter 689, as of July 1, 2004, by combining and reorganizing the former-Department of Human Services (DHS)and the former-Department of Behavioral and Developmental Services (BDS).

The enabling legislation authorized the Commissioner of DHHS to begin immediately to consolidate certain administrative functions. It also required the Commissioner to submit a report and legislation to this session of the Legislature to lay-out the department's organization.

That report, with the Commissioner's proposed organizational framework for the new department in the form of LD 1642, has recently been enacted by the Legislature as PL 2005, Chapter 412.

Organizational framework recommended by the Commissioner and has been approved by by the Legislature.

This new structure and approach to service delivery will provide consistent, effective high-quality services based on standardized, evidence-based, best-practices parameters with uniform oversight. The new system will bring increased strength-based collaboration with all programs which are involved with an individual and his or her family – from primary prevention all the way to long-term care. In addition, the new system:

• Supports, strengthens, and integrates primary prevention efforts for all programs across the Department;
• Integrates mental health and physical health with social services throughout the entire department;
• Recognizes the value and importance of population-based public health efforts in making Maine people healthier and in reducing health-care costs; and
• Eliminates the “silo” approach to services by breaking down barriers to a holistic approach to these services