Leaders form coalition

    Officials from Aroostook County Action Program (ACAP) and business and education leaders in Aroostook County announced last week the formation of a charter coalition to address the needs for available, quality early childcare in the region and the impact it has on the workforce in the county.
    Connie Sandstrom, ACAP executive director, said, “We have been fully aware for some time that there is an ever increasing need for affordable, quality child care in our region. So we are taking steps to address that need by inviting business and community leaders to join us in a county-wide coalition to discuss the needs and identify potential resolution.”
    Participating in the announcement, Maine Attorney General Steven G. Rowe spoke to the need for investment in quality childcare for young children and the positive impact it will have on economic development in the state and region and the long term benefits of providing quality care for children ages 0-5.
    “Investments in early childhood development will save the state money later in other areas because children will grow to be healthier adults who don’t need as many state services,” said Rowe.
    Walt Elish, president and CEO of the Aroostook Partnership for Progress (APP), which is a member of the charter coalition, said that the availability of a well-prepared and responsive workforce is critical to the region’s economic health. Numerous county agencies, such as the Northern Maine Development Commission (NMDC) and APP, among others, work collectively to create a dynamic and growing economy. These groups all recognize that every member of the workforce is important to their success. The stress and worry that is placed upon working parents regarding child care for their little ones is an issue “we must all confront and resolve.”
    To that end, ACAP is planning a series of meetings around the county with economic development professionals, the business community, municipal leaders and other involved groups to discuss what can be done here locally.
    “As the regional agency charged with overseeing licensed, professional child care locations, as well as being a provider of quality childcare, we believe it is incumbent upon us to take the lead in this effort,” said Sandstrom. “We will be rolling out a series of meetings to address this issue with those who have the most need for a workforce free of worry about child care. We need to be responsive and progressive in addressing what must be done right here. The business community recognizes the need to step up and we look forward to working with all the stakeholders as we move forward.”
    A state commission is currently reviewing this issue for potential legislative action.
“But we can’t wait for the state to take action,” said Sandstrom. “We have been fully aware for some time that there is an ever increasing need for affordable, quality childcare in our region. So we are taking steps to address that need.”
    The initial goals of the coalition are to increase its membership among the region’s business community leaders; communicate to the greater business community the importance of helping working families gain access to quality childcare; and to incorporate childcare into the region’s economic policy and strategy.
    “We’re pleased to have strong support and involvement from the business community and other regional education and community leaders,” said Steve Richard, chair of the ACAP board of directors. “To be effective and sustainable, economic development must recognize and include all aspects of the community economy. The availability of quality early childcare is a critical piece of that community economy in part because it provides businesses with access to a larger, more productive workforce.”
    A recent survey of Maine manufacturing employers found 52 percent of their employees required child care. The same survey reported that 31 percent of the total workforce felt that their work had been made less effective and productive because of another employee’s child care needs. Failing to meet the child care needs of Maine families can negatively impact both workforce availability and the productivity of the current workforce.
    In Aroostook County there are approximately 3,800 children ages 0-5 and fewer than 1,400 licensed child care slots available for parents in the workforce or who would like to be in the workforce. Given the need for a productive and sustainable workforce to support and encourage business attraction, retention and expansion in the county, the lack of quality childcare is a significant challenge.
    “The early childhood education program at Northern Maine Community College is a critical component in providing quality childcare here in the county,” said Tim Crowley, NMCC president. “It is a very popular program and we are pleased to be a member of the coalition as we move forward in addressing the need for quality services to parents of these young children.”
    Don Zillman, president of the University of Maine at Presque Isle, has a childcare facility on campus.     “The availability of childcare here on campus is immeasurably successful. It is utilized by employees, students and members of the community. We’re pleased to be able to offer this service and many of the parents who have children here can testify to what a positive service this is.”        More information on the initiative is available by contacting Connie Sandstrom at ACAP, 764-3721.