Senator Collins Visits Penquis Bright Beginnings Child Development Center

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BANGOR, ME - Today, U.S. Senator Susan Collins visited Penquis Bright Beginnings Child Development Center in Bangor to join Penquis President and CEO Kara Hay, Head Start and Childcare Director Mary Kay Hallett for a guided tour of the facility.

The center opened in May 2025 and includes 16 classrooms for infants, toddlers, and preschool-age children. Once fully operational, the center will serve nearly 200 children through its Head Start, Early Head Start, and child care programs.

"Bright Beginnings is helping more children get a strong start in life while giving parents access to the reliable, high-quality child care they need," said Senator Collins. "I have long been a strong supporter of Head Start, and as Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I will continue working to protect and strengthen this vital program for children and families in Maine and across the country."

Senator Collins has long supported federal investments in Head Start, which provides early childhood education, health, nutrition, and family support services to children from low-income families. As Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Collins helped increase funding for Head Start nationally to $12.4 billion in the Fiscal Year 2026 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies appropriations bill.

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