Maine leaders this morning pushed for renewed investment in children's programs to lead toward economic security.

U.S. Rep.-elect Chellie Pingree, D-Maine, a representative from Republican Sen. Olympia Snowe's office and other officials spoke at a press conference at Casey Family Services in Portland, launching the Children's Leadership Council's campaign to "Invest in Children, Strengthen America."

According to a release on the conference, Pingree said that during her years in the Maine Senate, where she served as majority leader, she saw the effects of federal budget cuts on children.

"Our commitment to basic children's programs has been declining for more than a decade," she said. "We are seeing the results in higher rates of child poverty even before the economic downturn began. It's vital that we use this opportunity to stimulate the economy to also make sure children are safe, fed, and have good schools to attend."

The council has set five priorities to guide federal and state efforts in helping children:

• Prevention, early diagnosis and treatment for at-risk children
  
• Physical, dental, and mental health care for all children
  
• Adequate pre-school support through Head Start, child care, and high-quality kindergarten
  
• Services for older children that keep them in school and provide job training
  
• Financial security through child tax credits, child nutrition and Food Stamps, and housing assistance
  

"We know from experience that investing in children from the first years of life has a tremendous payoff," said Elinor Goldberg, president of the Maine Children's Alliance, a CLC member. "The evidence has only grown stronger in recent years that we need to make basic investments to ensure a strong economy."

Copyright 2008 Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.