Early Education and Care July Policy Updates
Pilot for FCC Capital Funding
On June 28, 2024, EEC announced a new pilot program, the Family Child Care Capital Grant Pilot Program, to support family child care (FCC) programs through funding for investments in facilities.
The grant program will be administered by MassDevelopment, which works with businesses, nonprofits, banks, and communities to deliver a variety of programs and services, including grants for the financing of capital projects.
The program has a total of $7.5 million in dedicated funding for FCCs’ capital projects, and will begin with a round of funding of $2.5 million, to support FCC providers who own the home where their program is based. Eligible providers can apply for up to $25,000 to make space improvements and build program capacity. A second round of funding will be released in 2025.
MassDevelopment’s website contains all necessary information, including an application and frequently asked questions. Information can be found under, “Pilot Family Child Care Facilities Grant.”
Applicants must demonstrate that their projects meet at least one of the following objectives:
Increase enrollment up to the provider’s current licensed capacity.
Enable providers to increase their current licensed capacity.
Meaningfully improve the quality of care and education that can be provided in the program’s physical space.
Successful applicants (criteria for “good projects”)...
Have an active license from the EEC or actively be in the license renewal process with EEC.
Are in regulatory “good standing” -- no investigations with serious findings, and no legal actions within the last five years.
Have been actively providing licensed childcare for a minimum of two years prior to the application submission date.
Operate a minimum of four days per week.
Operate their childcare program out of a home that they own, outright or with a mortgage.
Child Care Financial Assistance
Rates (level of reimbursement for providers participating in the child care financial assistance, CCFA, program) were increased in fiscal year 2024 (7/1/23-6/30/24). Having just ratified a contract with SEIU 509, which negotiates on behalf of Family Child Care (FCC) providers, the new rates were implemented for FCCs starting on July 1, 2024. Beginning this month, FCC providers that serve children with CCFA will see increases in their reimbursement payments, including an additional bump in July 2024 to account for services provided since July 1, 2023.
The billing process may be slower than usual due to the retroactive payment calculations. EEC appreciates patience and understanding as it implements the rate increases.
The source of funding for FCC rate increases, does not place restrictions on how the rate increases are used.
Both GSA and FCC programs participating in CCFA will now have up to 22 Approved Paid Closure days per year (defined as EEC’s fiscal year, which begins on July 1 and ends on June 30), including 12 state holidays and 10 additional closure days which programs can determine based on staff and family needs.
Electronic Records
Programs may opt to use paper, electronic, or a combination of the two modes, for all records required by EEC regulations. When necessary to review electronic records, EEC staff must be given access to the program or licensee’s computer, iPad, applications, or other equipment used to access and view required records.
Funded Programs
All educators, administrators, interns, substitutes and volunteers working with children in funded programs, as well as all non-relative informal funded child care providers, will be required to complete the applicable EEC Essentials 2.0 trainings, regardless of the frequency worked. Staff that are currently working in funded programs must complete the EEC Essentials 2.0 training package by June 30, 2025.
Background Record Checks (BRC)
Effective August 1, 2024, EEC will be removing abandoned or incomplete Background Record Check (BRC) requests for new candidates from the BRC Navigator Program Portal after 45 days, a reduction from the previous policy of four months. This does not affect renewal requests for existing program staff.
