CALAIS, Maine — In rapid response to the unexpected closure of a major childcare center in the local area, Community Action in Aroostook, Washington and Hancock Counties and Washington County Community College have announced an expansion of their longstanding partnership to open new childcare slots on the WCCC campus. The move aims to stabilize childcare access in a region already facing a severe shortage and to preserve jobs for displaced early childhood educators.
The closure of a large childcare center in the nearby Town of Charlotte, announced this spring, threatened to leave dozens of families without care and remove critical capacity from a childcare system already stretched thin across Washington County. Within days, CAAWHC and WCCC mobilized to identify space, staffing and licensing pathways to expand services on campus.
This emergency expansion builds on a partnership that has existed for many years, through which CAAWHC operates a preschool-age Head Start Partnership Program in WCCC’s Early Childhood Education facilities. Under the new plan, one of the existing preschool classrooms will relocate to additional space in Riverview Hall, making room for a new infant/toddler classroom in Quoddy Hall — home to the St. Croix Early Care and Education Center operated by CAAWHC.
This shift will allow CAAWHC to increase the number of available childcare slots in Calais, support families affected by the closure and offer employment opportunities to early childhood educators who lost their jobs.
“Childcare access in Washington County was already fragile, and the closure in Charlotte created an immediate crisis for families, employers, and our community,” WCCC President Susan Mingo said. “At WCCC, our mission is to transform lives, strengthen communities, and support economic prosperity. When our students and workforce face barriers to success, we have a responsibility to respond. By expanding our partnership with Community Action, we are preserving critical childcare capacity, helping student parents stay on track toward their educational goals, and ensuring local employers have the workforce they need. When our community faces a challenge, we believe in responding with collaboration, innovation, and action.”
The expanded agreement continues WCCC’s commitment to providing classroom and laboratory space that supports observation, practicum, internship and student-teaching opportunities for students enrolled in Early Childhood Education and related programs. The Head Start classrooms serve as a living laboratory for future educators, reinforcing the college’s mission to prepare a skilled workforce for the region.
“Families were facing the possibility of losing care overnight,” CAAWHC Chief Program Officer Megan Barnes said. “We knew we had to move fast to prevent disruption for children and hardship for parents. This expansion allows us to open new infant and toddler slots, maintain preschool services and welcome experienced educators into our program. It’s a community-driven solution to a community-level problem.”
Under the agreement, CAAWHC will continue to operate all Head Start classrooms in accordance with federal, state and local requirements. The organization will maintain full responsibility for licensing, compliance, staffing and supervision. Priority enrollment consideration will continue to be offered to eligible children of currently enrolled WCCC students, consistent with Head Start regulations.
“Childcare is foundational to a strong economy, and when a major provider closes, the ripple effects are immediate,” CAAWHC CEO Jason Parent said. “Our partnership with WCCC allows us to respond quickly and effectively. We are grateful for the college’s leadership and proud to work together to ensure families have the care they need and early childhood educators have a place to continue their careers.”
CAAWHC is one of Maine’s most trusted community action organizations, serving families across three counties with programs that support early childhood education, housing stability, workforce development, health and family well-being. The organization operates multiple childcare, Head Start and Early Head Start classrooms throughout the region.
WCCC, located in Calais, provides high-quality academic, technical and career training programs designed to meet the needs of students and employers in Washington County and beyond. The college’s Early Childhood Education program prepares students for careers in childcare, preschool education and related fields.
