MaineAEYC Policy & Advocacy Overview
Ask Your Member of Congress to Support $16 billion in additional ECE funding
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Ask Your Member of Congress to Support $16 billion in additional ECE funding 〰️
In partnership with the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), MaineAEYC is committed to developing a system of quality early childhood education (birth to 8) and supporting appropriate regulatory, governance, finance, and accountability mechanisms. To achieve these goals, MaineAEYC informs our network about local, state, and federal policies and advocates on behalf of the early care and education workforce, families, and young children.
Impact of Our Advocacy:
“Advocacy is empathy, compassion and community at work.”
Bills Supported since 2018
Total Bills Supported Since 2018
61
percentage of bills supported that became law
63%
People Engaged in Advocacy in 2023
Our Biggest Victories:
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With the passage of LD 1726 in 2023:
Providers will now be reimbursed for any children in their program receiving subsidy within 15 days (instead of 30).
Providers shall receive retroactive reimbursement if their provided tuition assistance to a subsidy applicant during the application period.
Providers will be notified within 2 business days of when a recipient's eligibility changes.
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With the passage of LD 1726 in 2023:
Families are eligible for child care subsidies if they earn up to 125% of the State's median income. (This was increased from 85%).
Families are eligible to participate in Head Start programs if they earn up to 185% of the federal poverty level.
Child care staff and employees are now eligible for subsidy funding in the Maine Child Care Affordability Program.
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During the COVID-19 Pandemic, ECE professionals in Maine received a $200/month stipend to supplement their wages.
With the passage of LD 1726 in 2023, we guaranteed that all child care professionals would continue to receive this supplement AND that the supplement would increase to an average of $400 across a tiered system.
Details about this tiered system are forthcoming from the State.
MaineAEYC educators and families are important to grassroots efforts, and we encourage our members to stay informed and engaged with government representatives at all levels.