Bill > LD1389

This bill establishes the Building Opportunity Through Out-of-school Time Program within the Department of Health and Human Services as a competitive grant program designed to expand and enhance out-of-school programming for school-age children aged 5 to 13. The program will provide grants to eligible providers, including community-based nonprofit organizations, libraries, and statewide youth-serving nonprofit organizations, with a focus on serving at-risk youth. Grant priorities include providers that reduce barriers to access, serve underrepresented populations, offer weekly programming, and demonstrate community partnerships. The bill defines out-of-school programming as structured activities before, after school, or during summer that aim to improve social, emotional, academic, and vocational skills, prevent negative behaviors, provide safe environments, and support career exploration. Grantees must maintain separate financial accounting, limit administrative costs to 10% of the total award, and commit to nondiscrimination. The department will oversee the program, establish application processes, publish grant information, and submit an annual report to the Legislature detailing program operations, including the number of youth served, funding allocation, and program impacts. The bill appropriates $5,000,000 from the General Fund for the 2026-27 fiscal year to support the program's implementation.

Health and Social Services

https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=1389&snum=132