March 3, 2025
Maine’s Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is committed to providing clear, accurate, and transparent data about its programs and services. As part of this commitment, Maine DHHS recently launched an updated “By the Numbers” data dashboard.
The metrics presented in the updated dashboard are intended to capture levels of engagement, utilization, and impact from the services offered across the Department’s eight Offices, two psychiatric hospitals, and its Constituent Services division. In addition to providing timely and informative data in a transparent manner, the Dashboard includes a robust set of information and links that highlight Departmental resources and services available to the public.
Now Featuring Comprehensive Enhancements
To improve transparency and streamline usability, Maine DHHS implemented several new features in the updated “By the Numbers” data dashboard, including:
- Metric Explanations: Offers plain-language definitions of data points such as Freedom of Access Act (FOAA) requests, patient admissions, MaineCare participation, and more.
- Visual Representations: Illustrates how the data is displayed – bar graphs, line graphs, timelines, tables – and details any options for grouping or aggregating (e.g. quarterly vs. annually).
- Aggregation Methods: Shows how data can be viewed by different timeframes (e.g. monthly, quarterly, or annually) and whether data is presented as a sum, average, or median.
- Links to Department Resources: Includes a clickable button on most displays that will open relevant Department resources and programs.
- Accessible Table Views: Includes a dropdown to view data in tabular form for clarity and to promote digital accessibility.
Why This Dashboard Matters
- Transparency Maine DHHS aims to provide the people of Maine, policymakers, and community organizations a clear view of its activities. By sharing data publicly – along with a detailed explanation of metrics – the Department strives to ensure that the public can see how resources are allocated and the impact of those services.
- Accountability Quarterly updates – published two months after each calendar quarter – demonstrate the Department’s commitment to continuous improvement. Tracking trends over time holds DHHS accountable to the communities we serve.
- Informed Decision-Making Policymakers, researchers, advocates, and community partners continue to rely on this data to identify areas for improvement, fostering data-driven discussions and strategic planning across the state.
- User-Friendly Insights By incorporating metrics and definitions, along with data visualizations, Maine DHHS aims to make the Dashboard easy to understand.
Understanding the Dashboard
The “By the Numbers” Dashboard organizes metrics under three key themes:
- Engagement (Red): How the public interacts with Maine DHHS programs and resources (e.g. the number of FOAA requests or inquiries submitted).
- Utilization (Green): How often services are used (e.g. MaineCare participation, background checks, or median patient length of stay).
- Impact (Blue): The outcomes or effects of these services (e.g. how many individuals were discharged from a psychiatric facility or how many children achieved permanency within 12 months).
Alongside these themes, the Dashboard also provides:
- Metric Explanations that clarify the definition, purpose, and scope of each data point (e.g. FOAA requests, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participation, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) enrollment, child care subsidies).
- Aggregation details that indicate if the data is reported monthly, quarterly, annually, or can be toggled among these options.
Data Integrity and Update Schedule
Maine DHHS gathers and verifies data from its eight Offices, two psychiatric hospitals, and its Constituent Services division:
- Standardization: The Department applies consistent definitions and validation checks so that metrics are comparable across divisions.
- Quality Control: Any anomalies or outliers will be investigated and corrected when necessary.
- Quarterly Releases: New data will be published two months after each calendar quarter ends, ensuring that the public can track changes over time.
Navigating the Dashboard
- Select an Office or Division
- Choose from among the eight Maine DHHS Offices, two psychiatric hospitals, or Constituent Services. Each section links to relevant metrics that describe that office’s role and services.
- Choose a Thematic Category
- Engagement, Utilization, or Impact. Each category contains a set of data points and a short explanation of how those metrics are collected.
- Device Compatibility
- While the Dashboard can be accessed on mobile devices, Maine’s DHHS recommends using a desktop or larger-screen device for optimal viewing and interactivity.
A Resource for All of Maine
The Maine DHHS “By the Numbers” data dashboard offers a transparent, user-friendly window into the Department’s work and impact. By exploring clear definitions, robust visuals, and detailed explanations of each metric, Maine can gain a deeper understanding of how the Department functions throughout the state.
Through regular updates, rigorous quality controls, and open communication, the Department remains committed to being a transparent, accountable, and reliable resource dedicated to serving the people of Maine.