Every family is unique. Every family knows their children best. Families are a child’s first and most important teachers. Having a strong partnership with the caregivers, parents, and family members of the children in your setting is very important in being able to support them to meet their full potential. Elevating family voice, honoring lived experiences and empowering families in offering solutions from family guided needs for child care and educational experiences that are child-centered all aid a whole family approach to early care and education. Collaborative and strengths-based engagement, partnership and communication through early childhood professionals, school settings and families build positive and goal-oriented support networks for each of Maine’s earliest learners.
Statewide programs that support family engagement:
Maine’s Head Start State Collaboration Office (HSSCO) is located in the Department of Education as part of the Early Learning Team and is funded through a federal grant from the Office of Head Start, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. More information on our eleven Head Start Grantees and three Tribal Head Start Programs can be found here.
Child Care Affordability Program (CCAP) : helps eligible families pay for a portion of child care costs during the time the parent/guardian is working, going to school, or participating in a job training program. CCAP is also available for eligible families where the adult(s) are retired (as defined by the SSA). Apply today by submitting an application available on the CCAP website.
McKinney Vento is a federal Homeless Assistance Act. This law helps students whose housing situations are impacting their education. All students are guaranteed the right to a free, appropriate, public education. More information and who to contact for help can be found on the Maine DOE’s School and Student Supports team site.
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