To the editor:

I have the privilege to chair our local United Way board of directors. I am very proud of all the work done in our communities in support of children, families and individuals with the support of United Way and many other organizations.

We also know that it takes partnerships and everyone working together to help make our community strong, healthy and productive.

One of the essential partners to assist in making our economy strong and healthy is state government. State government’s efforts in working with local communities and programs lends support to children and families through specific services that help children get the best possible start in life.

This further serves to prevent future problems and more costly remedies.

This week, the budget debates continue in Augusta, and proposals for the supplemental budget will have significant ramifications for children and families in the Mid-coast area.

These proposals threaten to end or significantly reduce funding for key prevention programs such as Head Start, Early Head Start, the Maine Families Home Visitation programs, and the Child Care and Development Fund that includes child care subsidies.

Our United Way has made early childhood a priority, and we work to help prevent problems from developing in families in the first place.

There is sound scientific and economic research demonstrating that investments in early childhood benefit Maine families and Maine’s economy now, and will benefit us even more in the future.

We urge the Maine Legislature and Gov. Paul LePage to make early childhood investments a priority during their budget deliberations and to continue to support the prevention goals of the Fund for a Healthy Maine.

Investments in programs serving young children and families have been shown to be wise investments over the long-term and are among the best investments we can make as a state.

We urge our representatives to continue to support our children, our communities and our economy by maintaining our state’s key investments in these early care and education programs.

Sincerely,

Pam Bowerman
chairwoman board of directors
United Way of Mid Coast Maine,
Bath

[email protected]