Policy Pulse #7
In each issue of the Policy Pulse, 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. You’ll also find resources, reports, and advocacy tools. In this issue of the Policy Pulse we share recent electoral and legislative wins for early education and care and important updates from the most recent Department of Early Education and Care Board meeting. While much remains unknown about the implications of this month’s elections on the state and federal level, we will continue to share information and analysis as it becomes available. Let’s dive in.
What to Know
Funding for Child Care Wins on Local Ballots Across the Country
This election season, several ballot measures concerning early education were put forth at the municipal level. Four out of five of these local ballot initiatives were successful. Travis County, TX; Platte County, MO; Sonoma, CA; and Pomona, CA each passed measures that increase sustainable, dedicated revenue to early education and care in their communities.
The Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care Held It’s November Board Meeting
The Board of Massachusetts’ Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) most recently met on November 13, 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 the November Board meeting:
EEC and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) co-presented on their collaboration for the Governor’s Literacy Launch initiative;
Professor Jeffrey Liebman of the Harvard Kennedy School of Government presented his findings from an economic analysis of early education and care in Massachusetts;
The Board discussed EEC’s proposed fiscal year 2026 budget priorities; and
EEC collaborators from the American Institutes for Research (AIR) provided an abridged presentation of their cost research and cost modeling for early education and care in Massachusetts.
New Commonwealth Cares for Children (C3) Funding Formula Is in Effect
As of November 1st, the new funding formula is being used to determine providers’ monthly C3 grant awards. For information on what the new formula may mean for grant amounts, read our new brief, which includes an analysis of the changes.
Campaign Funds Can Now be Used towards Child Care Needs in Massachusetts
As part of the economic development bill signed by Governor Healey last week, campaign contributions in Massachusetts can now be used toward paying for child care expenses incurred while campaigning. This language was originally filed as An Act Supporting Parents Running for Public Office (H.669/S.422) and has been a priority of the Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators.
Massachusetts Legislature Passes FY24 Close Out Budget Including Funds to Keep C3 Funded for FY25
Last month, the Massachusetts State Legislature passed a close out budget that included $150 million for Commonwealth Cares for Children (C3) grants. Inclusion of these funds in the budget address the potential shortfall caused by the delay in implementing the new state iLottery. These funds for C3 mean that the program is guaranteed to be funded at $475 million, the full amount appropriated to it in the FY25 state budget.
What To Do
Join Us for What the Massachusetts Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Means to You and How to Prepare for Fiscal Year 2026
Join Neighborhood Villages, Strategies for children and SEIU 509 on December 17 at 6:30pm EST for a virtual Community Advocacy Call. We will discuss what we know about the implications of the fy 25 budget and get ready for FY 26 budget advocacy.
What the Massachusetts Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Means to You and How to Prepare for Fiscal Year 2026. Register here.
Give Input on the next Commissioner of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE)
While the Department of EEC is usually the state agency at the center of early education policy, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) also plays an important role in the early education and child care sector. DESE sets the standards for and oversees all district PreK classrooms and many after school programs. DESE also oversees vocational high schools, many of which have early educator tracks. As DESE searches for their next Commissioner, they are seeking community input through a survey and feedback meetings. Make your voice heard here.
What's Next
The next meeting of the EEC Board of Directors will be on December 18, 2024* (*rescheduled from 12/11) at 1:00pm. A full schedule of meetings as well as recordings and meeting materials can be found here.
In the next month, state agencies will share their budget priorities with Governor Healey, whose FY2026 budget proposal will be released in mid January.
While some announcements have been made about federal nominees, each nominee must be confirmed by the U.S. Senate. Confirmation hearings for these positions will not begin until January 2025 when the new session of Congress starts.
