129th MAINE LEGISLATURE
LD 1584 LR 1742(01)
An Act To Attract, Build and Retain an Early Childhood Education Workforce through Increased Training, Education and Career Pathways
Preliminary Fiscal Impact Statement for Original Bill
Sponsor: Rep. Fecteau of Biddeford
Committee: Innovation, Development, Economic Advancement and Business
Fiscal Note Required: Yes
             
Preliminary Fiscal Impact Statement
FY 2019-20 FY 2020-21 Projections  FY 2021-22 Projections  FY 2022-23
Net Cost (Savings)
General Fund $3,050,000 $3,050,000 $3,050,000 $3,050,000
Appropriations/Allocations
General Fund $3,050,000 $3,050,000 $3,050,000 $3,050,000
Federal Block Grant Fund $400,000 $400,000 $400,000 $400,000
Fiscal Detail and Notes
This bill includes ongoing General Fund appropriations totaling $3,050,000 per year beginning in fiscal year 2019-20 and ongoing Federal Block Grant Fund allocations of $400,000 per year beginning in fiscal year 2019-20 to support the development and implementation of an early childhood educators workforce support program.
Of these totals, $2,500,000 in General Fund appropriations is to the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) for education and experience-based salary supplements for early childhood educators working with young children from birth to 5 years of age. Additionally, $400,000 in Federal Block Grant Fund allocations is to the DHHS for comprehensive scholarships to early childhood educators working with children from birth to 5 years of age.
The General Purpose Aid for Local Schools program within the Department of Education will receive General Fund appropriations of $250,000 to expand early childhood education programs currently offered by 20 career and technical education (CTE) centers to 27 CTE centers and to update textbooks, equipment and other curriculum materials.
Finally, General Fund appropriations of $300,000 per year is to the Employment Services Activity program within the Department of Labor to support the expansion of the apprenticeship program for those working in the field of early childhood child care and education offered by the Maine Roads to Quality Professional Development Network in partnership with the State's higher education system and for the staffing and indirect costs to support the program.