Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Maine DHHS

Maine DHHS employs over 3,000 people who work in 16 offices across our state to provide services to over one third of Maine residents. In 2021, the Department published A Strategic Plan to Advance Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at The Maine Department of Health and Human Services (PDF) and re-launched the Office of Population Health Equity at Maine CDC.

“We envision a diverse workforce in which every Department employee understands their individual and collective responsibility to actively promote equity and inclusion.” (DHHS DEI Strategic Plan)

2021-2023 Goals

  1. Increase workforce diversity to better reflect the communities we serve.
    1. Implement best practices for hiring a diverse workforce.
    2. Promote diversity through proactive recruitment and pipeline development.
  2. Cultivate a work environment that demonstrates respect and empathy for all employees and clients and leverages the strengths of their diversity.
    1. Publicly promote DEI efforts as a core aspect of health and human services work.
    2. Require all Department staff to demonstrate understanding of DEI and racial equity as a core component of professional and leadership development.
    3. Cultivate a work culture that is flexible, collaborative, and inclusive so all employees feel safe and are encouraged to contribute their diverse perspectives.
  3. Develop an inclusive infrastructure to advance data-driven health equity programs across all Department services.
    1. Develop infrastructure dedicated to health equity.
    2. Utilize a data-driven approach to assess health disparities and inequities throughout Departmental programs and policies.
    3. Increase supplier diversity.
  4. Provide outstanding public service that is informed by, and responsive to, the needs of the communities we serve.
    1. Ensure meaningful stakeholder engagement throughout the work of the Department.
    2. Improve language access.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion News and Updates