Administration for Children & Families Highlights Work of MRTQ and CCIDS in Maine

The Administration for Children & Families (ACF) highlighted the development of  Maine’s Inclusion Credential in a new profile of federal investment in Maine Early Childhood Development (PDF). The credential, developed by Maine Roads to Quality (MRTQ) in partnership with the University of Maine Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies (CCIDS), is designed to help early childhood practitioners build skills to promote quality inclusive practices in their programs.

Other Maine highlights cited by ACF:

• Maine received a federal Pre-K Expansion Award in December 2014 of $3.5 million.
• As of 2009, all child care subsidy approved providers participate in the Quality for Maine Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS).
• In 2014, Maine made strides to improve its licensing system by implementing differential monitoring and hiring additional licensing staff which reduced caseloads and improved efficiencies. Additionally, Maine launched a licensing Web portal in 2015.
• Maine allocated more than $300,000 of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding for scholarships to help child care providers receive a degree, credential, or certification.

The Administration for Children and Families is a division of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services and promotes the economic and social well-being of families, children, individuals and communities with partnerships, funding, guidance, training and technical assistance.