Maine's Infant and Toddler Summer Institutes and Stipends
State:
ME
Region:
1
Category:
Child Care; Facilities; Financing; Professional Development; Professional Development; Quality Improvement
Status:
Active
Year Started:
2001
Administered By:
University of Maine/Farmington
Description:
For the past eight years, an intensive summer institute has been available to caregivers of infants and toddlers. Caregivers in both family child care and center-based child care participated in the college course offered by the University of Maine at Farmington for three credits. The caregivers also received equipment grants of $1,000 to enhance quality for infants and toddlers in their care. Providers who are planning to increase the number of infants and toddlers in their care are given priority for the Institute.
More than 250 providers have completed the institute for credit and received grants. This incentive has resulted in additional slots for infants and toddlers.
The Summer Institute was offered in Summer 2009, and an advanced level course is also planned. The Institutes will increase the knowledge of providers about infant and toddler care and will serve as an incentive to increase the number of spaces available for infant and toddler care in Maine.