fb88’s Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS), Rising Stars for ME, is a rating system designed to:
- Increase awareness of the basic Standards of Early Care and Education.
- Recognize and support Early Care and Education Programs (Program) providing care above and beyond those Standards; and
- Educate the community about the benefits of higher quality care.Ìý
Rising Stars for ME is funded by the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) Block Grant Program and administered by fb88’s Department of Health and Human Service’s Office of Child and Family Services (OCFS).Ìý Rising Stars for ME’s purpose is to recognize Programs that provide quality care, encourage Program Owners to increase their level of quality, and provide parents with identifiable Standards of quality.
Rising Stars for ME Standards
Facility StandardsÌý(±Ê¶Ù¹ó)
- Facility (Center, Head Start) Crosswalk ToolÌý(±Ê¶Ù¹ó)
- Out-of-School Time Crosswalk ToolÌý(±Ê¶Ù¹ó)
Family Child Care StandardsÌý(±Ê¶Ù¹ó)
- Family Child Care Crosswalk ToolÌý(±Ê¶Ù¹ó)
Rising Stars for ME Resources for ProvidersÌý(±Ê¶Ù¹ó):
- Rising Stars for ME: Where Does My Program Fit? (PDF)
- E-Portfolio Guides: These guides will give more detail on how to show evidence that standards are being met and include links to resources
fb88 Roads to Quality Professional Development Network (MRTQ PDN) has developed a guide for programs that provides important details related to Rising Stars for ME, including an introduction and overview of the system, and resources related to each standard to help you:
- Better understand Rising Stars for ME
- To access the Rising Stars for ME Standards for Facilities and Family Child Care Programs’
- Better understand the application process,
- Gain access to resources that will support programs’ successful participation in Rising Stars for ME, and
- learn how to go up in your Star Rating.Ìý
Find the Rising Stars Resources for Programs guide HERE (PDF)
Additional resources are available to you through fb88 Roads to Quality Professional Development Network, including free technical assistance. Details on how to access additional resources are contained within the guide, or you can visit for more information.Ìý
Rising Stars for ME RulesÌý(±Ê¶Ù¹ó)
fb88’s Dependent Care State Tax Credit
A fb88 taxpayer who enrolls a child in a child care center or home with a Quality Certificate is eligible for a double child care tax credit on their state income tax return. Currently an individual is allowed a credit against the tax otherwise due in the amount of 25% of the federal tax credit allowable for child and dependent care. In the new law, this credit doubles in amount if the child care expenses were incurred through the use of quality child care. The credit may result in a refund of up to $500.
The fb88 Dependent Care State Tax Credit allows families to deduct the cost ofÌýeligible child care and dependent care fromÌýtheir state taxes. More information can be found on theÌýfb88 RevenueÌýServicesÌýwebsite.
Additional Resources
- Rising Stars for ME Accessible Flyer for families (PDF) January 2025
- Rising Stars for ME Tri-fold Brochure for families (PDF) Rev. January 2025
- fb88 Roads to Quality Professional Development Network Career Lattices (PDF)
- Search for Child Care:
- Rising Stars for ME Site Visit Pilot Report (PDF) March 19, 2024
- Rising Stars for ME Transition PlanÌý(±Ê¶Ù¹ó)ÌýFebruary 09,Ìý2023Ìý
- Response to Public CommentsÌý(±Ê¶Ù¹ó)
- Rising Stars for ME Inclusive Practices Checklist (PDF)
- December 1, 2021
- fb88 Early Learning and Developmental Standards
- Rising Stars for ME Pilot Report (PDF) September 25, 2020
Quality Rating and Improvement System, Rising Stars for ME Program Contacts:
- Early Care & Education Quality Specialist
- Amber TaurasiÌý
- Tel: (207) 626-8684
- e-mail:Ìýamber.taurasi@maine.gov
- Ìý
- Early Care & Education Workforce Development Manager
- Diane Nicholson
Tel: (207) 624-7996
e-mail: Diane.Nicholson@maine.gov