Child Care Funding for Essential Maine Workers During Pandemic

The State of Maine has announced that federal funds from the CARES Act has been received to provide temporary relief for childcare needs in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The funding totals nearly $11 million for the State.

The money received by the State is not only relief for childcare providers but also relief for essential works for temporary receive child care assistance and is regardless of income.

Who is this money for?  It's for eligible families for child care and those providers delivering care.

For those families using child care, here are the eligibility requirements:

• Eligible workers that are essential workers including those in healthcare, first responders, emergency medical workers, state employees, grocery staff, and others.
• All parents/guardians in household are essential
• Your work requires you to work outside the home

Child care providers affected by the pandemic will also receive immediate assistance.

Money will be paid directly to the child care provider.

"Access to child care is a vital resource for working families and that is especially true at this time for essential personnel who we depend upon for critical services," said Todd Landry, Director of the DHHS Office of Child and Family Services. "Today's actions will support our families and providers during the current emergency and as we look forward to recovery."

Financial assistance will support households where all parents/guardians are essential employees who are reporting to work outside the home and will be paid on their behalf directly to their child care provider.

More info about Child and Family Services COVID-19 Response, visit the State of Maine website.