WASHINGTON — A longtime advocate of child care funding, Sen. Olympia Snowe was “adopted” by a Belfast mother on Tuesday as part of Lifetime Television’s initiative to make quality child care a top priority on Capitol Hill.

Nan Simpson, the mother of two, welcomed the Maine Republican into her family through the new Lifetime Television project, “Share Your World: Adopt a Politician.” The program is the second phase of the network’s initiative titled, “Caring for Kids: Our Lifetime Commitment.”

“Today, we are encouraging all Americans to adopt a politician, to check out the Lifetime Web site and to let all of us know exactly how your families are dealing with the dilemma of child care, and how we can help,” Snowe said.

The program connects families with their elected officials to discuss the challenges in locating quality, affordable child care. The nationwide program officially begins Aug. 1.

“We still have a ways to go and that’s why we need your help. We need parents’ help to say `we need more assistance and we need it now,”‘ Snowe said. “That’s the only way to drive an agenda in Congress — to make your voices heard.”

The families are encouraged to write their adopted representative to let them know of their needs concerning child care.

“I am a working mother of two, Jack who is 3 and Gavin who is 1,” Simpson wrote in a letter to Snowe. “My life as a working mom has educated me the most in the importance of a child’s first years of life. I am a mom who not only has to work, but I want to work.”

Snowe, along with Sen. John Chafee, R-R.I., has introduced legislation in the Senate that will increase funds for child care as well as allow for parents to make choices regarding whether their children are cared for at home or at a child care center.

“The fact is, access to quality, affordable child care is not a women’s issue, or a children’s issue. It’s a national issue that affects each and every one of us,” Snowe said. “The best solution is the one that helps parents make the best possible decisions for their child and their particular circumstances.”

Families can adopt politicians from all levels of government. An unlimited number of constituents can adopt individual politicians.

“Having been a single working mother, I know firsthand the challenges of child care,” said Carole Black, Lifetime’s president and CEO. “As president of Lifetime Television, I’ve heard a consistent message loud and clear from our viewers: They need better child care.”

Each month, Lifetime will suggest “Monthly Actions” that will help to facilitate action between the family and their adopted leader.

“The cold hard reality is that many families are forced to decide between two unacceptable options: finding care for their children that may not be safe or appropriate, or staying home and hoping that they can somehow put food on the table,” Snowe said.

Simpson told Snowe that she and her husband make too much money to qualify for subsidized child care and have to pay private fees at the center that cares for their children. The fees for their two children are more each month than the family’s mortgage payment.

“However, due to the high cost of everything, I was just told my parent fee may go up considerably even though my pay has not. Now I struggle with [whether I should] stay home or pay for child care with my weekly paycheck? I love my work, but what should I do? What is best for my children?” Simpson asked.