community voices
Right From the Start
Right from the Start is a diverse, bipartisan coalition committed to ensuring that every child in Maine has access to high-quality early care and education. We believe that investing in the early years—from birth to age eight—is essential for healthy development, school readiness, and long-term success. By bringing together parents, educators, healthcare providers, business leaders, and policymakers, we work collaboratively to strengthen Maine's early childhood systems.
Our Mission
Our mission is to promote policies and investments that support accessible, affordable, and high-quality early care and education across Maine.We focus on creating an integrated continuum of programs and services that address the needs of children and families, regardless of where they live.
Our Four Cornerstones
To achieve our mission, Right from the Start concentrates on four key areas:
1. Early Learning & Care
Advocate for community-based partnerships that expand access to quality early care and education programs, including Head Start and home visiting services.
2. Family Supports & Services
Promote the development of coordinated systems like Help Me Grow to assist families in navigating and accessing essential services.
3. Workforce Advancement
Support initiatives that improve compensation, benefits, and professional development opportunities for early childhood educators.
4. Financing & Data Collection
Work towards sustainable funding models and integrated data systems to inform policy decisions and track outcomes.
Our Impact
Since our inception, Right from the Start has played a pivotal role in advancing early childhood policy in Maine. Notable achievements include:
- Securing increased funding for child care programs and workforce development.
- Influencing legislation that supports early learning and family services.
- Collaborating with stakeholders to develop comprehensive strategies for early childhood system improvement.
Our Partners
FOUNDING PARTNERS
- Fight Crime: Invest in Kids Maine
- Maine Association for the Education of Young Children
- Maine Children's Alliance
- Maine Community Action Programs
- Maine Head Start Directors Association
- Mission: Readiness Maine
- Ready Nation Maine
PARTNERS
- American Heart Association, Maine
- Coastal Enterprises Inc.
- Community Caring Collaborative
- Demont Associates
- Educare Central Maine
- Educate Maine/Maine Early Learning Investment Group
- Faith Linking in Action
- Family Child Care Association of Maine
- Food AND Medicine
- Kennebec Valley Organization
- Maine Center for Economic Policy
- Maine Chapter American Academy of Pediatrics
- Maine Chiefs of Police Association
- Maine Children's Trust
- Maine Community College System
- Maine Community Foundation
- Maine Developmental Disabilities Council
- Maine Education Association
- Maine Equal Justice Partners
- Maine Energy Marketers Association
- Maine Montessori Association
- Maine Principals' Association
- Maine Resilience Building Network
- Maine School Boards Association
- Maine Sheriffs' Association
- Maine State Chamber of Commerce
- Maine State Parent Ambassadors
- Maine Women's Lobby
- Mid Maine Chamber of Commerce
- Portland ConnectED-Starting Strong
- United Way of Androscoggin County
- United Way of Aroostook County
- United Way of Eastern Maine
- United Way of Greater Portland
- United Way of Mid Coast Maine
- United Way of Mid Maine
- United Way of the Tri-Valley Area
- United Way of York County
- YMCA Alliance of Maine
Get Involved
Join us in our efforts to ensure that every child in Maine gets the best start in life. Whether you're a parent, educator, policymaker, or community member, your voice matters. Contact us at rfts@meki.ds.org for more information.