PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Hundreds of child care providers in Maine are slated to receive more than $8 million in federal money to help with the challenges caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
The Maine Department of Health and Human Service said the $8.4 million in federal Coronavirus Relief Fund dollars will go to more than 1,700 child care providers in the state. The money will help with extra costs the providers have had to bear because of the pandemic, according to the office of Democratic Gov. Janet Mills.
“Maine’s working families are weathering the challenges posed by this pandemic while our child care providers have kept their children healthy and safe,” Mills said. “This investment will further support them and our economy as we approach the fall.”
Center-based child care providers will receive up to $9,200 and family-based providers will receive up to $950, the governor’s office said.
More than 80% of the licensed child care providers in the state are open, the governor’s office said. That figure was about 50% in April.
