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. Let’s dive in.
What to Know
Early Education and Care Board Holds Initial Meeting for Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25):
The Board of Massachusetts’ Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) most recently met on September 11, 2024. Important decisions about the early education and care sector are made at monthly EEC Board meetings and you can read the wrap-up here! Here are highlights of what happened at September’s Board meeting:
EEC Commissioner Amy Kershaw provided an update on the Commonwealth’s FY25 budget,
EEC reviewed the procurement of new contracts with providers serving low income and special populations through Child Care Financial Assistance (CCFA) contracted slots. They gave an update on the various inputs that were used to inform how contracts for CCFA slots are being awarded and changes to the contracts.
EEC reviewed a new funding formula and additional program updates for the Commonwealth Cares for Children (C3) operations grants program. Read more here!
Governor Healey Proposed Close Out Supplemental Budget
Governor Healey proposed the FY24 close out budget earlier this month, which proposes how to spend $714 million in surplus funds. Among her recommendations is $13,619,274 for income-eligible Child Care Financial Assistance (C3) vouchers and $225,000,000 for Commonwealth Care for Children (C3) grants. This supplemental budget is now before the Massachusetts House of Representatives. We will keep you posted as this bill progresses. Read the whole bill here.
On September 16th, Governor Healey signed into law a supplemental budget that had been filed in March. This budget includes $29.6 million for income-eligible Child Care Financial Assistance (CCFA) vouchers
What To Do
Join Us for Neighborhood Villages’ First Community Action Call of FY25: “Looking Back: Moving Forward
Join Neighborhood Villages tonight at 6:30pm for a virtual Community Action Call. We’ll share advocacy accomplishments from the last two years and discuss how to take action in the coming year. Register here. Community Advocacy Calls are open spaces for parents, educators, and anyone who’s interested in learning about and advocating for child care.
Attend EEC Informational Sessions Regarding C3 Program Updates
EEC will hold informational sessions regarding changes to the C3 grants program. You can sign up here to attend a session on the following dates:
Wednesday, September 25 at 6:00 PM
Monday, September 30 at 6:30 PM
Tuesday, October 8 at 12:00 PM
What's Next
The next meeting of the EEC Board of Directors will be on October 9, 2024 at 1:00pm. A full schedule of meetings as well as recordings and meeting materials can be found here.
The Healey-Driscoll Administration’s Inter-Agency Early Education and Child Care Task Force continues its work this fall. The Task Force is currently synthesizing information collected over the summer which will result in a public report. The Task Force will also use the synthesis to inform policy recommendations, which will appear in a final report at the end of this calendar year.
