WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced that the Maine Department of Health and Human Services received $8,000,000 through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Early Childhood Development’s Preschool Development Grant Birth through Five (PDG B-5) program. This funding will allow the State of Maine to expand access to high-quality preschool for children from low-income families.

“Early childhood education is an investment in the future of our children,” Senators Collins and King said. “This funding will expand access to pre-K and help build an educational foundation for Maine children that will benefit them for the rest of their lives.”

“The first five years of a child’s life lay a foundation for future development and learning. Federal funding to advance a coordinated system in Maine will help young children and families get the critical services need, including developmental screenings and high quality early care and education,” said Stephanie Eglinton, Maine Children’s Alliance.

The PDG B-5 program supports state efforts to create or enhance preschool programs in high-need communities, while developing infrastructure to better deliver preschool services.

Senators Collins and King have always supported Maine’s early childhood education programs. Earlier this month, they cosponsored a resolution recognizing October 20^th as National Early Childhood Literacy Awareness Day. They also recently announced more than $5 million for early learning programs in Maine.