In the state of Maine, 68.5% of children under 6 years old live in households with all parents working. 37% of licensed childcare centers in Maine have closed in the past 10 years. Additionally, the average cost of infant childcare is $9,224 a year. These are statistics behind an issue many of us already understand: Maine is in desperate need of affordable and accessible childcare. This session, in the Legislature, we continued to work on this issue.

One way we did this was by funding our childcare affordability programs. As a member of the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee, I know we still have more to do, but I am also proud of what we were able to protect and invest in this session. We funded the Child Care Affordability Program (CCAP) by clearing the waitlist of nearly 900 children and expanding access to subsidized care for families. We also maintained monthly wage supplements for childcare workers and continued subsidies to help families cover the cost of care, keeping programs open in communities across the state, especially in rural Maine where closures hit hardest.

The Legislature also passed LD 1728, “An Act to Improve Affordability, Stability and Access in the Maine Child Care Affordability Program.” This law lowers co-pays for families participating in the Child Care Affordability Program and ensures providers are being reimbursed fairly when families utilize the program.

It is important to help working families access quality and affordable childcare throughout Senate District 13 so that they can raise a family without breaking the bank. When families cannot access childcare, it affects more than just that family. I know, or have met, more than a few people who delay having their first, second, or third child because they cannot afford to send them to daycare or live on a single income. Accessible childcare makes it possible for people to work in their local businesses and boost local economies while also supporting the childcare businesses that are anchors of many Maine communities.

I know the struggles of finding affordable childcare in Lincoln County and that is why, in Augusta, I will continue to advocate to make childcare more affordable. However, if you are someone interested in starting a childcare business locally, I want you to know about the support available at Coastal Enterprises, Inc (CEI). CEI is a community development financial institution and one of the services they offer is no-cost (no-cost!) business assistance to people interested in starting, or expanding, a childcare business. They also have a program called the Child Care Business Lab that could help you start and grow a childcare business that works for your family and community. You can find more information on their website, www.ceimaine.org.

Don’t forget that I am a resource for you all year round. If you need help navigating state agencies or if there is anything I can help with – please feel free to contact me and my office at cameron.reny@legislature.maine.gov or (207) 287-1515.