An Act To Attract, Build and Retain an Early Childhood Education Workforce through Increased Training, Education and Career Pathways
Sec. 1. 22 MRSA §3740-A is enacted to read:
§ 3740-A. Early childhood educators workforce support program
The commissioner, the Commissioner of Education and the Commissioner of Labor jointly shall develop and implement an early childhood educators workforce support program, referred to in this section as "the program," to recruit and retain early childhood educators working with children up to 5 years of age. Components of the program must include the following:
The commissioner, the Commissioner of Education and the Commissioner of Labor shall adopt routine technical rules pursuant to Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A to implement the provisions of this section.
Sec. 2. Appropriations and allocations. The following appropriations and allocations are made.
EDUCATION, DEPARTMENT OF
General Purpose Aid for Local Schools 0308
Initiative: Provides ongoing funds to support the expansion of early childhood education programs currently offered by 20 career and technical education centers in the State to 27 career and technical education centers and to update textbooks, equipment and other curriculum materials.
| GENERAL FUND | 2019-20 | 2020-21 |
|
All Other
|
$250,000 | $250,000 |
 |
|
|
| GENERAL FUND TOTAL | $250,000 | $250,000 |
| EDUCATION, DEPARTMENT OF | ||
| DEPARTMENT TOTALS | 2019-20 | 2020-21 |
|
GENERAL FUND
|
$250,000 | $250,000 |
|
|
|
| DEPARTMENT TOTAL - ALL FUNDS | $250,000 | $250,000 |
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF
Child Care Services 0563
Initiative: Provides ongoing funding for education and experience-based salary supplements for early childhood educators working with children from birth to 5 years of age.
| GENERAL FUND | 2019-20 | 2020-21 |
|
All Other
|
$2,500,000 | $2,500,000 |
|
|
|
| GENERAL FUND TOTAL | $2,500,000 | $2,500,000 |
Child Care Services 0563
Initiative: Provides ongoing allocations for comprehensive scholarships to early childhood educators working with children from birth to 5 years of age.
| FEDERAL BLOCK GRANT FUND | 2019-20 | 2020-21 |
|
All Other
|
$400,000 | $400,000 |
|
|
|
| FEDERAL BLOCK GRANT FUND TOTAL | $400,000 | $400,000 |
| HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF | ||
| DEPARTMENT TOTALS | 2019-20 | 2020-21 |
|
GENERAL FUND
|
$2,500,000 | $2,500,000 |
|
FEDERAL BLOCK GRANT FUND
|
$400,000 | $400,000 |
|
|
|
| DEPARTMENT TOTAL - ALL FUNDS | $2,900,000 | $2,900,000 |
LABOR, DEPARTMENT OF
Employment Services Activity 0852
Initiative: Provides ongoing funds to expand 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.
| GENERAL FUND | 2019-20 | 2020-21 |
|
All Other
|
$300,000 | $300,000 |
|
|
|
| GENERAL FUND TOTAL | $300,000 | $300,000 |
| LABOR, DEPARTMENT OF | ||
| DEPARTMENT TOTALS | 2019-20 | 2020-21 |
|
GENERAL FUND
|
$300,000 | $300,000 |
|
|
|
| DEPARTMENT TOTAL - ALL FUNDS | $300,000 | $300,000 |
| SECTION TOTALS | 2019-20 | 2020-21 |
|
GENERAL FUND
|
$3,050,000 | $3,050,000 |
|
FEDERAL BLOCK GRANT FUND
|
$400,000 | $400,000 |
|
|
|
| SECTION TOTAL - ALL FUNDS | $3,450,000 | $3,450,000 |
summary
This bill requires the Commissioner of Health and Human Services, the Commissioner of Education and the Commissioner of Labor jointly to develop and implement an early childhood educators workforce support program to recruit and retain early childhood educators working with children up to 5 years of age. Components of the program include:
1. Expansion of educational programs at career and technical education centers and financial support of those programs;
2. Comprehensive scholarships for persons taking classes toward the attainment of an early childhood education credential or an associate or bachelor's degree that allow the persons to graduate without student debt as long as the persons agree to work for a year with an approved employer;
3. An increased number of apprenticeships; and
4. Salary supplements awarded to individuals who provide child care or who are early childhood educators. The amount of the supplement is based on the level of education and experience of the individual and other factors.
This bill also provides funding to carry out the program.