An Act To Ensure the Success of All Maine Families through Early Care and Education

Sec. 1. Appropriations and allocations. The following appropriations and allocations are made.

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF

Purchased Social Services 0228

Initiative: Appropriates funds on an ongoing basis to increase the quality of child care throughout Maine through the establishment and maintenance of a quality rating system.

GENERAL FUND	2007-08	2008-09
All Other	$1,500,000	$1,500,000
GENERAL FUND TOTAL	$1,500,000	$1,500,000

Purchased Social Services 0228

Initiative: Appropriates funds on a one-time basis to update and develop new core curricula used as the basis for providing community-level training and professional development for center-based and family child care providers.

GENERAL FUND	2007-08	2008-09
All Other	$51,000	$0
GENERAL FUND TOTAL	$51,000	$0

Purchased Social Services 0228

Initiative: Appropriates funds on an ongoing basis to increase the capacity of regional Child Care Resource Development Centers to provide comprehensive training and professional development to child care providers and to implement the new core curricula without having to eliminate existing training.

GENERAL FUND	2007-08	2008-09
All Other	$60,000	$60,000
GENERAL FUND TOTAL	$60,000	$60,000

Purchased Social Services 0228

Initiative: Appropriates funds on an ongoing basis to fund an increase to 40 hours per week the hours worked by early care and educational specialists at regional Child Care Resource Development Centers and to fund an increase in their compensation.

GENERAL FUND	2007-08	2008-09
All Other	$100,000	$100,000
GENERAL FUND TOTAL	$100,000	$100,000

Purchased Social Services 0228

Initiative: Appropriates funds on an ongoing basis to increase the capacity of regional Child Care Resource Development Centers to provide parents with support and education in finding, choosing and retaining appropriate out-of-home care for their children.

GENERAL FUND	2007-08	2008-09
All Other	$125,000	$125,000
GENERAL FUND TOTAL	$125,000	$125,000

Purchased Social Services 0228

Initiative: Appropriates funds on an ongoing basis to increase the capacity of regional Child Care Resource Development Centers to stimulate local employers, schools and communities to work together in supporting the community need for adequate and appropriate child care.

GENERAL FUND	2007-08	2008-09
All Other	$125,000	$125,000
GENERAL FUND TOTAL	$125,000	$125,000

Purchased Social Services 0228

Initiative: Appropriates funds on an ongoing basis for increased funding for the Child Care Plus ME program to continue to provide the current level of services, expand the number of children supported by removing income eligibility barriers and fund provider and program supports.

GENERAL FUND	2007-08	2008-09
All Other	$500,000	$500,000
GENERAL FUND TOTAL	$500,000	$500,000

Purchased Social Services 0228

Initiative: Appropriates funds on an ongoing basis to track and report on the efficiency and effectiveness of the State's investment in early care and education.

GENERAL FUND	2007-08	2008-09
All Other	$125,000	$125,000
GENERAL FUND TOTAL	$125,000	$125,000

Community Services Center 0845

Initiative: Appropriates funds on an ongoing basis for an additional Public Service Coordinator I position in the Community Services Center to administer the child care system in Maine.

GENERAL FUND	2007-08	2008-09
POSITIONS - LEGISLATIVE COUNT	1.000	1.000
Personal Services	$75,000	$75,000
All Other	$7,500	$5,000
GENERAL FUND TOTAL	$82,500	$80,000

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF
DEPARTMENT TOTALS	2007-08	2008-09
GENERAL FUND	$2,668,500	$2,615,000
DEPARTMENT TOTAL - ALL FUNDS	$2,668,500	$2,615,000

summary

This bill appropriates funds on a one-time and ongoing basis to increase the quality of child care services in Maine by identifying and implementing best practices and by addressing current limits on access to high-quality care based on a parent's ability to pay.