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<p class="MsoNormal">The Early Learning Team within the Maine Department of Education (DOE) Office of Teaching and Learning, in partnership with the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Office of Child and Family Services, is offering a joint
professional learning opportunity, designed to strengthen community-centered mixed-delivery systems.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The landscape of early childhood education in Maine is evolving. The continued expansion of public pre-K programs, along with recent legislation transitioning Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) responsibilities for children ages
three to five from Child Development Services (CDS) to public schools, underscore the growing need for a strong, coordinated mixed-delivery system. This kind of system—one that intentionally connects public schools and community-based early care and education
providers—helps all children have equitable access to high-quality early learning opportunities from birth through the early elementary years.<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Building and sustaining a mixed-delivery system requires communities to move beyond siloed approaches and work collaboratively across schools, Head Start programs, private centers, and family child care homes. Together, partners can expand
access, respond to diverse family needs, and create more seamless experiences for young children and the adults who support them.<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:20.0pt">For more detailed information and to sign-up, read the
<a href="https://mainedoenews.net/2026/02/12/from-ideas-to-impact-early-learning-solutions-lab-community-of-practice-and-mini-grant-opportunities/">
DOE Newsroom article here</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">________________________________________ <br>
<br>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Nicole Madore</b><br>
Early Childhood Specialist – Early Learning Team<br>
Office of Teaching and Learning <br>
Maine Department of Education<br>
23 State House Station<br>
Augusta, Maine 04333-0023<br>
<b>Email: </b><a href="mailto:Nicole.madore@maine.gov">nicole.madore@maine.gov</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Phone</b>: 207-446-3967 (cell)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="vertical-align:baseline"><a href="http://www.maine.gov/doe" target="_blank"><span style="color:#0070C0">Maine DOE</span></a> |
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/MaineDepartmentofEducation1/" target="_blank"><span style="color:#0070C0">Facebook</span></a> |
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/mainedepted/?hl=en" target="_blank"><span style="color:#0070C0">Instagram</span></a> |
<a href="https://mainedoenews.net/" target="_blank"><span style="color:#0070C0">Maine DOE Newsroom</span></a> <br>
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