Senator Collins Meets with United Way of Southern Maine

Click HERE for a high-resolution photo

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Susan Collins met with representatives from United Way of Southern Maine to discuss the importance of childcare services.  As a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, Senator Collins recently secured $95,000 in the draft Fiscal Year 2022 Financial Services Appropriations bill to help the organization expand access to quality child care.  The bill must still be voted upon by the full Senate and House.

“As a longtime leader in strengthening community services, United Way of Southern Maine continues to improve the lives of families and communities.  I enjoyed meeting with them to discuss the need for more quality childcare options for parents,” said Senator Collins.  “As a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, I recently secured $95,000 for the organization to provide more support and training for Mainers looking to launch childcare businesses and open facilities across the region.  I will continue to champion this funding as the appropriations process moves forward.”

If the Fiscal Year 2022 Financial Services bill is enacted into law, this funding will help United Way of Southern Maine expand their Childcare Workforce and Entrepreneurship Initiative, which helps new childcare entrepreneurs successfully navigate their journey, with the necessary support, training, technical assistance, and financial investment to open their own childcare business.

United Way of Southern Maine provides quality essential services, like affordable childcare, mental health counseling, and elder care.  The organization also brings people together to help identify growing community needs and work toward innovative solutions with measurable results.

###