Department Outcomes

• Children, Adults And Families Are Safe From Further Harm.
   
• Children Have Stable Living Arrangements That Provide Long-Term, Nurturing Relationships.
   
• Children, Adults, And Families Live In Safe, Supportive Communities.
   
• Consumer Independence/Self-Sufficiency Is Maximized .
   
• Consumer Quality Of Life Is Improved.
   
• The Department Maintains The Public’s Trust.
   
• The Department Delivers Quality Services.

The Department reviews the following to determine whether it delivers quality services:

• Adherence to Preferred/Best Practices
• Consumer satisfaction
• Consumer accessibility to services
• Staff management
• Consumer responsibility

To achieve these goals, the Department developed the following set of Guiding Principles to establish and monitor expectations for how Department employees operate and how they work with all Department clients:

Guiding Principles

SERVICES

• All clients and families are treated with dignity, courtesy, and respect.
   
• Needs of the clients and families guide the types and mix of services provided.*
   
• Clients and families are actively engaged in planning, implementation, and evaluation of their supports and services.*
   
• Services are provided within the community in which the client and family reside.*
   
• Service teams are uniquely designed to meet the needs of individual clients and families.*
   
• Assessments and services build upon a foundation of client and family strengths.
   
• Services and staff are sensitive and responsive to client and family culture, traditions, and special needs.
   
• Services are designed to promote, and where necessary enforce, personal responsibility.
   
• Services focus on the safety and well being of clients, employees, and the public.
  

ADMINISTRATION

• Employees are well-trained, credible, and committed.
   
• Clients and families are encouraged to be involved in Department activities and decision-making.
   
• Agencies and employees are accountable to the community and those they serve.
   
• The public will receive needed services regardless of organizational charts and jurisdictions.
  

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  * Where Federal and State statute allow.