Neighborhood Villages’ Budget Bootcamp Recap: Empowering the Community to Advocate for Change

Have you ever wondered how the state decides to spend public money in your community? 

Beth, one of Neighborhood Villages’ State Budget Bootcamp participants, found herself wanting a better understanding of that process. “I know money is important, but I didn’t know where it came from or how we can have any impact with it,” she said. 

Beth isn’t alone. For many, the process of how the state allocates public funds through the budget can seem elusive, but it has an impact on our daily lives and the well-being of our families and communities. 

That’s why at Neighborhood Villages, we set out to empower community members to learn more about this process and to advocate for the change they’d like to see. 

In February, Neighborhood Villages introduced a State Budget Bootcamp, a four-week program in which parents, educators, and providers learned the ins and outs of the state budget process and how it will impact early education and child care during the fiscal year and beyond.

Over the course of the program, participants explored how the state budget is created and how funding is allocated for child care and early education and other public services. Our community advocates gained in-depth knowledge, examining the link between state spending and the resources available to families and educators. They also discovered ways to advocate for their families and community needs. 

To wrap up our budget bootcamp and put this new knowledge to the test, our dedicated group of advocates headed to the Massachusetts State House to meet with state  legislators and share their personal experiences with early education and child care, distribute letters and fact sheets in support of increased funding for the sector, and advocate for policy changes such as Child Care Financial Assistance and the direct-to-provider operations grants.

“I’m very concerned about the long waitlists for families waiting for [Child Care Financial Assistance] vouchers, including teachers who work in child care centers who also need a voucher. I would love to put emphasis on reducing that waitlist as much as possible, as quickly as possible, so that we can educate these children and their families can go back into the workforce,” said Susan, a Budget Bootcamp participant. 

Advocates were able to meet with several legislators and staff in the House and Senate who represent their home districts, to share their concerns and reflect on what insights they have gained into organizing and policymaking through this process.

“Something I learned from the Budget Bootcamp is how the Massachusetts fiscal budget works. One thing I’m really excited to advocate for today is continued funding for teachers and furthering their higher education,” said Marley, another advocate who joined the State House visit.

With the tools and knowledge needed to engage in informed discussions, anyone can take an active role in shaping the future of our state’s budget and its impact on our families and communities.

“As a mother of three, I know how challenging it is to find quality child care in an affordable way, but also as an administrator, how hard it is to actually fund and create those quality programs. Thanks to Neighborhood Villages and this incredible budget bootcamp, I was able to understand more how it works in the state government and be able to advocate both for families and for early childhood,” said Jen, a program participant.

At Neighborhood Villages, we believe that community voices are the greatest tool for creating change and that advocacy is key to building a brighter future for our children, families, and educators. 

To learn more about advocacy and policy updates, check our monthly newsletter, The Policy Pulse, where we break down all things related to child care policy, research, and advocacy in Massachusetts. 

Hear what our advocates learned during our budget bootcamp and what they’re fighting for!