Progressive lawmakers and caregiving advocates launched a campaign Monday to establish a Universal Family Care System in Maine. If approved by the Legislature, the system would provide childcare and home care services for all children, seniors and individuals with disabilities, regardless of income.
Supporters say the goal is to solve persistent problems facing Maine families in Maine, such as finding and paying for childcare. Speaking at a press conference in South Portland, single mom Tabatha Whalen says she had to shell out a third of her paycheck for a babysitter while her now 7 year old son was on a waitlist for Head Start childcare for nearly two years.