Regional resource hubs for child care in Maine get support
A proposal to create a network of regional resource hubs for child care and early childhood education in Maine has earned initial approval from both chambers of the Maine legislature.The bill, LD 1859, “An Act to Improve Access to Child Care and Early Childhood Education by Establishing Regional Resource Hubs,” is sponsored by Sen. Henry Ingwersen, D-Arundel. “Every child in Maine deserves a strong start and this legislation is about delivering on that promise,” said Ingwersen. “We must support families, child care providers, educators and businesses in building child care resource hubs so they can work together to solve their regional child care needs.”Maine is one of only three states that does not have an established system of these types of regional supports for child care.The four proposed resource hubs would provide families with information and support in locating early childhood programs and other similar resources in the state. It would also support the training of child care workers to further improve the quality and accessibility of this care.The bill calls for the hubs to be established by Nov. 1, 2025, and each hub would be affiliated with an existing regional nonprofit organization in order to facilitate partnerships and avoid duplication of services.The bill includes General Fund appropriations to the Department of Health and Human Services of $187,500 in fiscal year 2025-2026 and $750,000 in fiscal year 2026-2027 for grants to develop and implement four early childhood learning and development and resource hubs and for one Social Service Program Specialist II position. Federal Block Grant Fund allocations are also included in the bill.The bill also requires the department, beginning Jan. 1, 2027 and every year thereafter, to submit a report to the joint standing committees of the legislature having jurisdiction over health and human services matters and education and cultural affairs and to the members of the Children’s Cabinet and its advisory council regarding the status of state and regional early childhood education and family needs, data collected by resource hubs and any related recommendations to increase access to early childhood services. The bill still faces enactment votes in both chambers.
A proposal to create a network of regional resource hubs for child care and early childhood education in Maine has earned initial approval from both chambers of the Maine legislature.
The bill, LD 1859, “An Act to Improve Access to Child Care and Early Childhood Education by Establishing Regional Resource Hubs,” is sponsored by Sen. Henry Ingwersen, D-Arundel.
“Every child in Maine deserves a strong start and this legislation is about delivering on that promise,” said Ingwersen. “We must support families, child care providers, educators and businesses in building child care resource hubs so they can work together to solve their regional child care needs.”
Maine is one of only three states that does not have an established system of these types of regional supports for child care.
The four proposed resource hubs would provide families with information and support in locating early childhood programs and other similar resources in the state. It would also support the training of child care workers to further improve the quality and accessibility of this care.
The bill calls for the hubs to be established by Nov. 1, 2025, and each hub would be affiliated with an existing regional nonprofit organization in order to facilitate partnerships and avoid duplication of services.
The bill includes General Fund appropriations to the Department of Health and Human Services of $187,500 in fiscal year 2025-2026 and $750,000 in fiscal year 2026-2027 for grants to develop and implement four early childhood learning and development and resource hubs and for one Social Service Program Specialist II position. Federal Block Grant Fund allocations are also included in the bill.
The bill also requires the department, beginning Jan. 1, 2027 and every year thereafter, to submit a report to the joint standing committees of the legislature having jurisdiction over health and human services matters and education and cultural affairs and to the members of the Children’s Cabinet and its advisory council regarding the status of state and regional early childhood education and family needs, data collected by resource hubs and any related recommendations to increase access to early childhood services.
The bill still faces enactment votes in both chambers.
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