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As parents in Maine and across the country struggle to find and keep childcare, those challenges are amplified in rural areas like Aroostook county, where its particularly hard to hire and retain staff, and keep fees affordable for parents, all in a time of significant inflation.
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Maine could see $46 million under a proposed federal bill that would provide $16 billion in funding for childcare across the country.
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Many families in northern Aroostook County are searching for child care after the closure of one of the largest facilities in the area.
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Gov. Janet Mills has signed a budget bill that makes substantial additional investments in housing programs, child care and a new paid family and medical leave program.
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One of the biggest parts of the legislative spending package signed by Gov. Janet Mills this week added a lot more money for child care. It comes as many providers still report long waitlists and staff turnover, with many parents struggling to afford tuition.
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A report released by Ready Nation on Monday estimates that Maine's lack of child care may be costing the state $403 million a year, and found that 22% of Mainers live in a child care "desert," meaning there are more than three children under age five for each available child care slot.
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A proposal from Senate President Troy Jackson would double the current wage stipend for child care providers to $400 a month and expand the number of Maine families who may be eligible for child care subsidies.
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A recent Bipartisan Policy Center study finds that child care centers have increased the number of licensed spots for children in Maine during the last two years. But child care advocates say many facilities in Maine aren't operating at their advertised capacity due to workforce challenges.
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The Jackson Laboratory will build the new facility on its Bar Harbor campus, and Downeast Family YMCA will provide the staff and run the new center. Local and state officials are hopeful these kind of partnerships could slowly chip away at workforce challenges across Maine.
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Several day camps have had to reduce capacity or eliminate programs because of staff shortages.