State Advocacy
2023 Priority Bills
For all the latest updates on the progress of these bills through the legislature, follow us on social media and/or subscribe to our mailing list!
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Sponsored by Maine’s Senate President, Troy Jackson, this bill aims to increase accessibility to child care for working families by increasing the subsidy eligibility threshold and by doubling the monthly wage stipend for child care workers.
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Sponsored by Maine’s House Speaker, Eloise Vitelli, this bill aims to increase accessibility to child care for working families by implementing a mixed-delivery system for public pre-k that can be offered in existing childcare programs, including family childcare.
Right from the Start Coalition
Right from the Start is a broad coalition dedicated to educating the public and policy makers and guiding legislative and administrative action on matters pertaining to early care and education for ages 0-8. The Coalition seeks to ensure access to high quality programming for children and families and to develop and advance the profession for educators. The coalition includes a core set of founding organizations: Maine Association for the Education of Young Children (MaineAEYC), Maine Children’s Alliance, Council for a Strong America (including Fight Crime: Invest In Kids, ReadyNation and Mission: Readiness), Maine Community Action Association, and the Maine Head Start Directors Association.
FOUNDING COALITION PARTNERS:
Council for a Strong America Maine: Fight Crime: Invest in Kids Maine; Mission Readiness Maine; and Ready Nation Maine
Maine Head Start Directors Association
OTHER COALITION PARTNERS:
“All children, beginning at birth, have the opportunity to benefit from inclusive, high quality early childhood care and education that is developmentally, culturally and linguistically relevant, delivered by an effective, diverse, well-prepared and well-compensated workforce across all settings, strengthening family choice and well-being.”