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Relief plans for licensed childcare and early education providers reviewed

4/8/2021

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In the past week, the Right from the Start Coalition (RFTS) discussed the current operating conditions of Maine’s childcare providers. While 96% of currently licensed childcare and early education providers are open, they are struggling to meet demands due to limited capacity and long wait lists. Of the 300 respondents in a recent survey, 25% have indicated that permanent closure within the next six months is a real threat.
There are signs of relief coming for providers. The American Rescue Plan Act provides $39 billion in childcare relief funding and is a crucial part of the $50 billion in support, provided by the CARES Act, for the childcare and early learning industry that many families rely on. Of these funds, Maine will receive a total of about $119 million. Roughly $46 million will be provided for expanded childcare assistance and roughly $73 million will be provided for childcare stabilization.

RFTS also has its eyes on four bills that are schedule to having hearings in April:
  • LD 633, Resolve, Directing the Department of Education To Implement Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Training for Educators;
  • LD 854, An Act To Ensure Continued School-based Services for Children with Disabilities;
  • LD 1252, An Act To Improve Family Day Care Providers by Increasing the Number of Children Allowed To Be Cared For without Obtaining Certification; and,
  • LD 1263, An Act To Create a Separate Department of Child and Family Services.
 
LD 1252 will see opposition from the Office of Child and Family Services. Language in the bill excludes siblings of children in the provider’s care from being counted toward the cap at which childcare providers must become certified as a family childcare provider. While expanding access to childcare is an important and worthy cause, ensuring that children have access to quality care is essential. Certification ensures certain standards such as adult-to-child ratios. Other standards and requirements impact health and safety measures in numerous ways.

On the workforce front, the Maine State Chamber will soon be working on a project to help match students with disabilities to mentors. This project aims to help prepare students for the workforce, educate employers, and fill workforce gaps.

If you would like more information about the issues discussed in this article, please contact Simon West by calling (207) 623-4568, ext. 117, or by emailing swest@mainechamber.org.
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Copyright Maine State Chamber of Commerce. All rights reserved.
 128 State Street | Suite 101 | Augusta, ME 04330-5630
 Phone: (207) 623-4568
For media inquiries, please contact Jen Webber, (207) 939-0213
For membership inquiries, please contact Mark Ellis. (207) 623-4568
  • About Us
    • Connect with Us
    • Affiliates & Partners
    • Our Board
    • Meet the Team
    • President's Message
    • External Social Media Policy
  • Membership
    • Benefits of Membership
    • Join the Chamber
    • Return on Investment
    • Member Search
  • Public Policy
    • Public Hearings of Interest
    • Legislation of Interest
    • Public Policy Committees
    • Grassroot Resources
    • Find Your Legislator >
      • Representatives
      • Senators
  • Events
    • Calendar of Events
    • 2022 Annual Meeting
    • Sponsorship Opportunities
    • Business Day at the Statehouse
    • Board Meetings & Board Events
    • DC Fly-In
    • Legislative Social
    • Policy Issues Workshops
    • Regional Breakfasts
    • Scramble for Scholars
    • Webinars by The Maine State Chamber of Commerce
  • Initiatives
    • Campus Career Connect
    • Dream It. Do It.
    • Education Foundation
    • Keep Maine Competitive
    • Maine Economic Research Institute (MERI)
    • This is ME Counting on You
    • Senior Leaders of Tomorrow Development Program
  • Newsroom
    • COVID-19 Resources
    • Impact Newsletter
    • MSCC Blog
    • The Bottom Line
    • The Maine Take
    • Making Maine Work
    • MERI Roll Call
    • OneVoice Maine Magazine
    • Policy Brief Series with Educate Maine
    • Press Kit
  • Member Login