Maine news, sports, weather from Waterville Morning Sentinel

Educare Center’s work is proven to save money

As I watched the opening of Waterville’s Educare Center (Sept. 28 article, “Educare Facility Praised”), I thought of my Mom, who works as a family support worker with KVCAP Maine Families.

As an adult, I now realize what an amazing job she has done to help level the playing fields for so many low-income youngsters. She has made a real difference in the lives of hundreds of children.

Now, as Kennebec County sheriff, I realize that the work done at this amazing new Educare Center will continue this strong commitment to children, helping more youngsters get on the right path, while also reducing the likelihood they will turn to serious crime.

The reality is that at-risk kids with no access to high-quality early learning programs are more likely to become involved in crime at some point in their lives than children who attend these programs. One long-term study of a high-quality preschool in Michigan showed that at-risk kids who missed out on early learning opportunities were twice as likely to grow up to be arrested for a violent crime. They also were four times more likely to be arrested for drug felonies, and seven times more likely to be arrested for possession of dangerous drugs than at-risk youngsters who attended the preschool.

The evidence is clear. Quality early learning programs like those at the new Educare Center can develop more successful young adults and reduce future crime while also producing significant savings.

Investments in quality preschool programs can provide as much as $16 in savings for every dollar spent over the longer term. These are results that benefit all of us. 



Randy Liberty

Kennebec County Sheriff

Augusta