Bill > LD1859

This bill establishes a comprehensive system of regional early childhood learning and development resource hubs across the state to improve access to child care and early childhood education. The Department of Health and Human Services will create four initial resource hubs by November 2025, each affiliated with a regional nonprofit organization, to provide families with information, support, and resources related to child care. These hubs will conduct regional needs assessments, help parents apply for assistance programs, connect families with local and state resources, support child care providers, and offer training on child development and parenting skills. The resource hubs will have diverse responsibilities, including collaborating with employers, educators, and higher education partners to strengthen early childhood services, increasing the capacity of child care providers to offer culturally responsive services, and developing innovative partnerships to create efficiencies in early childhood programming. Each hub will establish a local community partner board with representatives from various sectors to provide oversight and support. The department will receive $471,087 in fiscal year 2025-26 and $1,621,048 in fiscal year 2026-27 to support these resource hubs, with funding coming from both General Fund and Federal Block Grant Fund sources. Starting in January 2027, the department will be required to submit annual reports to legislative committees detailing the status of early childhood education and family needs, along with recommendations to improve access to early childhood services.

Health and Social Services

https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=1859&snum=132