This year marks a major milestone for the Higher Opportunity for Pathways to Employment (HOPE) parent empowerment program: five years of helping Maine parents with low incomes gain access to education and opportunity.
Since launching in January 2020, HOPE has supported hundreds of individuals in building more economically stable futures for themselves and their families. The program helps eligible parents and caretaker relatives of minor children pursue training and education beyond high school to obtain credentials that lead to income stability and growth.
As of October 2025, enrollment remains strong, having received 1,365 applications thus far this year, with 539 students pursuing 553 credentials*:
- 289 in associate degree programs
- 189 in bachelor’s degree programs
- 75 in short-term occupational training
*14 of HOPE's students are currently enrolled in more than one training or education program, resulting in 539 students pursuing 553 credentials
Knowing that many of the credentials earned by HOPE’s parents are gateways to other higher wage jobs, HOPE supports stackable credentials which build earning potential. HOPE helps individuals who have not attained a bachelor’s degree gain more education and develop professionally along a specific career pathway. In this way, HOPE helps parents adapt to developing jobs in Maine.
What the Data Tells Us: HOPE is Working
This year, HOPE undertook a preliminary analysis of participant employment outcomes, comparing earnings before and after credential completion, looking back at 340 participants who completed their programs in 2020 through 2023. The findings are encouraging:
Outcomes by Group
- Single parents, mostly women, made up the majority (253 of 340 of the sample group for the report), and they also saw meaningful wage gains.
- Participants of all ages experienced earnings growth, especially in the 35–44 age group.
- While outcomes varied by region and demographic, the overall trend confirms that education leads to stronger earning potential, even after adjusting for inflation.
Employment Outcomes
- All wages increased across every certificate, associate, or degree type. By the third year, all wages had nearly doubled.
- Rates of Employment for HOPE parents who completed credentials 2020 through 2023 and majored in in allied health, behavioral health, education, and nursing, and the trades are at or above 75%. The employment rate for nursing graduates is nearly 100%.
- There is a total of 93 verified credentials for 2025 across a range of programs and degrees. The most common fields of study were Nursing, Healthcare, and Trades (table below).
Program Enrollment
Enrollment for HOPE remains steady, with data showing that 2024 had the highest applications so far in the program’s history, with 2025 already surpassing 2023 application total (table below).
This data strongly affirms HOPE’s mission: that strategic investment in higher education leads to increased wages and long-term stability for Maine families. HOPE equips adults with the training needed to enter high-demand fields and emerging industries, including cybersecurity, biotechnology, electrical technology, marine systems, HVAC, and gerontology, helping to close workforce gaps across the state.
As we celebrate five years of progress, we do so with both gratitude and a renewed sense of purpose. HOPE continues to grow, not only in participation but in its lasting impact. By investing in the potential of Maine’s people, each credential earned builds a stronger workforce and contributes to a more resilient, prosperous future for our state.
Are you working on your next career step and looking for help? Apply to the HOPE Program!
Do you or someone you know have minor children and are pursuing education or training beyond high school? If so, the HOPE Program may be able to help. Eligible individuals enrolled at least half-time in a qualifying program are encouraged to apply.
To learn more about HOPE eligibility, available supports, and to access the fillable application, visit: https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/ofi/programs-services/hope