PORTLAND, Maine (AP) - Hundreds of child care providers in Maine are slated to receive more than $8 million in federal money to help with the challenges caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
The Maine Department of Health and Human Service said the $8.4 million in federal Coronavirus Relief Fund dollars will go to more than 1,700 child care providers in the state. The money will help with extra costs the providers have had to bear because of the pandemic, according to the office of Democratic Gov. Janet Mills.
“Maine’s working families are weathering the challenges posed by this pandemic while our child care providers have kept their children healthy and safe,” Mills said. “This investment will further support them and our economy as we approach the fall.”
Center-based child care providers will receive up to $9,200 and family-based providers will receive up to $950, the governor’s office said.
More than 80% of the licensed child care providers in the state are open, the governor’s office said. That figure was about 50% in April.
In other news related to the pandemic in Maine:
NEW CASES
The state reported 24 new cases of the new coronavirus Monday, bringing the total number of reported cases to 3,711. The state has also reported 117 deaths since the pandemic began.
For most people, the virus causes mild or moderate symptoms. For some, especially older adults and the infirm, it can cause more severe illness and can lead to death.
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WILDLIFE PARK OPEN
The Maine Wildlife Park is now open by reservation.
The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife runs the park, which is home to bears, moose, bobcats and other Maine animals. The department is asking visitors to limit groups to 10 people or less.
The department said the park has open reservation slots in July and August.
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UNEMPLOYMENT DOWN
The Maine Department of Labor said the unemployment rate fell to 6.6% in June.
The state’s unemployment rate had been 9.3% in May and was more than 10% in April. However, the department said in a statement that unemployment rates “continued to understate the extent of workforce displacement.”
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Follow AP coverage of the pandemic at https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak.
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