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Introducing the EDORA Maslow Philosophy

The Guiding Framework for Human and Health Services Systems

A Universal Philosophy Connecting Needs, Systems, and Humanity

In the ever-complex world of Human and Health Services, building a system that truly serves its purpose requires more than just technology—it demands a unifying philosophy. Today, I’m excited to share the official EDORA Maslow Philosophy, the foundation of EDORA: Event-Driven Operations, Records, and Analytics.

This philosophy is not just a framework for technical systems; it’s a universal guide for decision-making, operations, and service delivery. With the "Need" at its center, the EDORA Maslow Philosophy redefines how we think about interactions between clients, services, and systems.

What is the EDORA Maslow Philosophy?

The EDORA Maslow Philosophy draws inspiration from Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs but takes it to a new level. While Maslow’s work focused on individual psychology, the EDORA approach applies a similar structure to Human and Health Services.

At its core, this philosophy centers around the "Need", which stands as an independent, universal focus. All entities—clients, specialists, providers, and systems—exist to interact with or fulfill the "Need." The EDORA Maslow Philosophy provides a layered pyramid structure, guiding all technical, operational, and philosophical decisions.

The EDORA Maslow Pyramid

Base Layer: Human and Health Services (Foundation)

The foundation of the EDORA system, this layer represents the ethical, operational, and legal frameworks that sustain everything above it. It includes:

  • Policies and standards (e.g., privacy regulations, eligibility requirements).
  • Community resources and infrastructure.
  • Analytics and reporting systems to measure effectiveness.

This layer ensures that all operations are compliant, sustainable, and grounded in the core principles of Human and Health Services.

Layer 4: Participants in the Ecosystem

This layer includes the entities that interact with the "Need":

  • Clients: Seekers of the "Need."
  • Specialists: Professionals (e.g., social workers, healthcare providers) qualified to act on the "Need."
  • Providers: Organizations capable of delivering services aligned with the "Need."

Participants do not define the "Need." Instead, they engage with it, qualifying to either seek or fulfill it.

Layer 3: Entities Enabling Fulfillment

The systems and entities that enable the "Need" to be addressed:

  • Systems: Funding mechanisms, logistical networks, and operational tools.
  • Specialists: Those with expertise to resolve the "Need."
  • Providers: Organizations structured to deliver resources or services.

These entities are the operational backbone, ensuring that the "Need" can be fulfilled effectively and at scale.

Layer 2: Services and Interventions

This layer represents the actions and programs designed to meet the "Need." It is where entities and participants interact directly to address the "Need." Key components include:

  • Programs: Structured initiatives like housing assistance or therapy sessions.
  • Outcomes: Metrics to measure the resolution of the "Need."

Apex: The Universal Connection - The "Need"

At the very top is the "Need", the ultimate focus of the EDORA system. The "Need" is:

  • Independent: It exists separately from clients, specialists, or providers.
  • Universal: All operations, services, and systems revolve around identifying and addressing it.
  • Defined and Measurable: The "Need" includes attributes like urgency, priority, and outcomes.

Guiding Principles of the EDORA Maslow Philosophy

  1. "Need"-Centric: The system revolves around the "Need," ensuring it is universally understood, defined, and addressed.

  2. Abstract and Universal: The "Need" stands independently, connecting participants and systems without being tied to any one entity.

  3. Enablers of Fulfillment: Systems, specialists, and providers form the infrastructure that bridges the gap between participants and the "Need."

  4. Ethical and Sustainable: The foundation ensures compliance with human and health services principles while maintaining long-term scalability and adaptability.

Why This Philosophy Matters

The EDORA Maslow Philosophy is more than an operational guide—it’s a philosophical commitment to clarity, fairness, and purpose. By prioritizing the "Need," the philosophy ensures that:

  • Resources are allocated where they’re most impactful.
  • Services are delivered with precision and care.
  • Systems remain adaptable to evolving challenges.

Next Steps for EDORA

With this philosophy as our foundation, the next step is to build the technical representation of the EDORA Maslow Pyramid. From database schemas to service workflows, every aspect of the system will reflect this guiding framework.

This is the start of something much bigger—a system that blends technology with humanity, precision with empathy, and operations with philosophy.

Closing Thoughts

The EDORA Maslow Philosophy is not just a framework for a system; it’s a vision for how we can better serve people through clarity and purpose. By keeping the "Need" as the guiding star, EDORA is poised to transform the way Human and Health Services systems operate.

To the world: this is the foundation of EDORA. To everyone involved in its creation, development, or use, remember this guiding principle: the "Need" is everything.