Maine
Working families in Maine need accessible, affordable, quality child care and early learning opportunities for their children.
Currently, federal and state early learning programs reach thousands of young children and their families in Maine. But too many working families in Maine are missing out. As a direct result of child care issues, the Maine economy loses millions of dollars each year in the form of lost earnings, productivity, and revenue.
There are 78k children ages 5 and under in Maine
67% of these children have all available parents in the workforce
The typical annual cost of child care in Maine is around $9,300
The Child Care and Development Block Grant only reaches 12% of eligible families. This federal program helps low-income parents afford child care
Maine’s economy loses $403M annually due to child care challenges
Maine: In The Headlines
More parents opting to leave workforce completely due to childcare costs
News Center Maine | September 28, 2023
According to the Maine Center for Economic Policy, at least 24,000 Mainers have left their professions within the last year because of a lack of access to childcare.
Opinion: Home visiting and child care are vital to Maine kids’ well-being
Portland Press Herald | January 11, 2024
Maine Families remains one of the state’s most critical cost-saving investments to improve childhood health and learning outcomes, prevent child abuse and neglect, enhance future productivity and reduce future demand on tax-supported services.
Child care industry faces ongoing challenges in rural Aroostook County
Maine Public | January 26, 2024
As parents in Maine and across the country struggle to find and keep child care, those challenges are amplified in rural areas like Aroostook county.
Maine Resources & News
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