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Policy Pulse #6
In this issue of the Policy Pulse we share updates on several key areas of early education and Care in Massachusetts: Commonwealth Cares for Children (C3), Child Care Financial Assistance (CCFA) and higher education opportunities for early educators. We also share several upcoming events and important information on registering to vote.
RECAP of the October 2024 EEC Board Meeting: Bolstering Career Pathways and a Data-Driven EEC
At Neighborhood Villages, we prioritize keeping up with the policy landscape in the early education and care field, both across the country and in Massachusetts. That includes tuning-in to the monthly meetings of the Massachusetts Board of Early Education and Care (“EEC Board”), to stay apprised of updates and to identify opportunities for how we can work with government and other stakeholders to improve our early education and care system.
A Look at FKO’s Groundbreaking OST Registered Apprenticeship
Out-of-school-time (OST) programs, which play an essential role during these hours, provide more than just before and after-school care – it’s an opportunity for kids to discover their passions, gain confidence, and build critical life skills.
Policy Pulse #5
In this issue of the Policy Pulse, we're excited to share our recap of the Department of Early Education and Care's (EEC) September board meeting, provide an overview of the new policy framework and rules for the Commonwealth Cares for Children (C3) operations grants program, and share opportunities to get involved with Neighborhood Villages' advocacy work in the coming year.
RECAP of the September EEC Board Meeting: Looking Back at FY24 and ahead to FY25
At Neighborhood Villages, we prioritize keeping up with the policy landscape in the early education and care field, both across the country and in Massachusetts. That includes tuning-in to the monthly meetings of the Massachusetts Board of Early Education and Care (“EEC Board”), to stay apprised of updates and to identify opportunities for how we can work with government and other stakeholders to improve our early education and care system.
Beyond the Pod: Closing the Opportunity Gap Starts Before Kindergarten
In our season four finale of “No One Is Coming to Save Us,” we hear from Brooke Legler, the owner of a child care center in Wisconsin, who is struggling to keep her center open despite the strong demand for it even in a state with nearly universal preschool.
Beyond the Pod: Mitigating the Impact of Climate Change on Young Children
In episode four of our hit podcast, “No One Is Coming to Save Us”, we hear from Dr. Lisa Patel, a pediatrician and associate professor at Stanford University, who discusses the physical and mental ways that climate change impacts kids.
Beyond the Pod: Addressing the Housing Crisis
Episode three of our hit podcast “No One Is Coming To Save Us” takes on the issue of housing. We hear firsthand experience from Caitlin Liversidge who became pregnant and homeless last year and has since moved through transitional housing into her own apartment with her healthy two-month-old daughter.
Beyond The Pod: Addressing Early Relational Health in Early Childhood Education
Meet Lisa Garcia, our new Director of Early Relational Health
Policy Pulse #4
In this issue, we share additional analysis on the impact of the Massachusetts state budget and gear up for the fall by looking ahead to forthcoming EEC meetings, Task Force and other reports, and events this September.
Beyond the Pod: Empowering Economic Mobility Through Early Education
The first episode in Season 4, Empowering Economic Mobility Through Early Education, explores how early education can break the cycle of intergenerational poverty.
Trend of Investor-Backed Child Care Highlights Need for Public Investment in Sector
Can you imagine if Morgan Stanley owned your child’s 4th grade class? And operated it in order to make a profit? If this seems crazy to you, we agree.
Policy Pulse #3
In exciting news, the Massachusetts Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) budget has been passed by the State Legislature and is on its way to Governor Maura Healey's desk for signature. There's a lot to celebrate in this year's state budget, as it includes landmark policy and funding for early education and care. In this issue of Neighborhood Villages’ Policy Pulse, we dive further into the FY25 state budget, share important updates from the Commonwealth’s Department of Early Education and Care (EEC), and provide more details on how you can provide input to Governor Healey’s Interagency Taskforce on Early Education and Child Care. Let’s dive in!
Celebrating Momentous Child Care Policy Reforms in the FY25 State Budget
The policy provisions in the FY25 budget create a framework that will make child care more affordable for more families, improve compensation for educators, and provide the child care field with more stability.
Early Education and Care July Policy Updates
Check out the latest Early Education and Care policy updates for the month of July.
Apprenticeships Offer a Promising Solution to our Child Care Workforce Shortage
The early education and child care sector is facing a significant workforce shortage, with the child care field still down 40,000 workers nationally since before the pandemic and alarmingly high turnover rates. Nationally, over 100,000 early educators have left the field since the pandemic with job levels for the child care sector still significantly below pre-pandemic levels.
Policy Pulse #2
Welcome to issue two of Neighborhood Villages’ Policy Pulse. In this issue we dive into the most recent Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) Board meeting, share more details on what’s on the table in this year’s Massachusetts state budget, and share more about Governor Maura Healey’s Interagency Early Education and Care Task Force.
RECAP of the June EEC Board Meeting: The Plan for C3 Grants and Updates on Reform of Residential Regulations
At Neighborhood Villages, we prioritize keeping up with the policy landscape in the early education and care field, both across the country and in Massachusetts. That includes tuning-in to the monthly meetings of the Massachusetts Board of Early Education and Care (“EEC Board”), to stay apprised of updates and to identify opportunities for how we can work with government and other stakeholders to improve our early education and care system.
One Educator’s Journey From Child Care Provider to College Graduate
Bortolotto’s journey from a family child care provider to a college graduate is a testament to the power of education and the importance of having support systems in place to achieve professional growth.
Introducing: The Policy Pulse
We are excited to introduce Neighborhood Villages’ first Policy Pulse - a guide to all things early education and care. In each issue, you will find an overview of what’s happening with Massachusetts and national child care policy and information on what you can do to take action and join the movement for a transformed early education and care system.