B-5 for ME: Quality, Accessibility, and Affordability of Services for Maine’s Children & Families
The Maine Department of Education, in collaboration with Maine Department of Health and Human Services, was awarded the Preschool Development Grant (PDG), Birth through Age 5 in 2019. This Initial PDG B-5, which expired in 2020, was a planning grant to study and improve the Early Child Care and Education mixed delivery system. This grant supported the Children’s Cabinet goal that all Maine children will enter kindergarten prepared to succeed
The PDG B-5 had 5 major goals:
- Determine the current state of early care and education quality and access for Maine families by conducting a comprehensive needs assessment.
- Development a strategic Plan to address gaps in Birth-5 mixed delivery system
- Maximize parental knowledge and choice
- Share practices that are evidence-based
- Improve overall quality of programming for children birth-age five
The needs assessment, B-5 for ME: Quality, Accessibility, and Affordability of Services for Maine’s Children & Families provided the state with valuable information gathered from stakeholders across the state.
This work informed the development of The State of Maine Strategic Plan for Meeting the Needs of Vulnerable Children Birth to Age 5 and Their Families, a roadmap for moving toward an aligned, efficient, and high-quality system for all children birth-age 5 and their families, especially those who are considered vulnerable.
For more details about Maine's Preschool Development Grant, B-5, explore the 2019 PDG Grant Application and the PDG Final Report Summary.