OUR PURPOSE, VISION AND VALUES

The purpose of the Network is to continuously advance the implementation of our five priority areas:

• Prioritize prevention
• Invest in supportive services
• Improve cross-system collaboration
• Build state agency capacity
• Ensure effective oversight

Our vision is a Maine child welfare system where: 

• Safety and well-being are universal rights that are guaranteed to all Maine children, youth, and families
• Our communities, public and private organizations share responsibility to support families by addressing the root causes of child maltreatment
• Relationships and trust are cultivated among all public and private partners to advance new solutions 
• Lasting improvement is created by taking risks and trying new solutions that have not been tried before
• State, legislative, and community leaders share the will to sustain improvements over time

Our Values

• We share responsibility with all Maine citizens and systems to protect and promote the safety and well-being of children, youth, and families
• We work in partnership with government, support its role in solutions, and honor its responsibilities to Maine children, youth, and families
• We promote the understanding that poverty, racial and ethnic disparities, and geography are interconnected and related to other issues that impact a family’s safety and well-being.
• We involve those who are affected by the problems in designing the solutions
• We listen deeply to understand all perspectives
• We are transparent about our own organizational and individual interests
• We demonstrate willingness to prioritize our common goals