Changes made to Child Tax Credit

“Those critical years of brain development under the age of 6 and even on up through the teenage years are vital to the long-term prospects of those kids,” said Garrett Martin, executive director of the Maine Center for Economic Policy.

Martin said these types of programs are linked to improving health outcomes, higher math and reading scores, less use of drugs and alcohol and higher college entrance rates.

“For instance, if you boost the household income that’s making $25,000 or less a year by $3,000 when the kid is under the age of 5, the lifetime earnings potential for that kid ends up going up 17 to 18 percent,” Martin said.

Click here to read the full story, first published June 22, 2021, in Fox Bangor.