Statements of Support

Strategies for Children Executive Director Amy O’Leary: “Finalizing these regulations is an important milestone for Massachusetts families and early educators. Expanding eligibility to 85% of the State Median Income will open doors for more working families to access affordable child care. Continuing to prioritize financial assistance for early educators is a smart and necessary strategy to recruit and retain the workforce we need—because we can’t expand access for families without the educators who make that care possible. With these updates now in place, we can turn our collective focus to implementation—making sure these policies translate into real, lasting impact and sustainable investments for children, families, and the workforce.”

Neighborhood Villages Co-President Lauren Kennedy: “We applaud the Healey-Driscoll Administration and the Board of Early Education and Care for expanding the Child Care Financial Assistance (CCFA) program. At a time when federal investments in early learning programs are uncertain, Massachusetts is stepping up to support working families, early educators, and our youngest learners. Raising income eligibility, prioritizing early educators' access to Child Care Financial Assistance, and protecting families’ ability to receive other essential benefits are all critical steps toward building a more equitable, accessible early education system. This is a win for families, a win for our economy, and most importantly, a win for our children.”

Massachusetts Business Roundtable President & CEO JD Chesloff: “Employers are always looking to find talent to fill open jobs. Yet far too often, people with both the desire and skills to work can’t because of the cost of high quality child care. The vote by the Board of Early Education and Care removes that barrier for a significant group of working families while ensuring their children have access to high quality care. Child care is a fundamental and essential component of the state’s economic development and workforce development strategies and the Roundtable applauds this important action and the leadership of Commissioner Kershaw and the EEC Board.”

Massachusetts Head Start Association Executive Director Michelle Haimowitz: “Today, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has made it easier for vulnerable families to access benefits their families need to thrive and support our critical early education workforce to remain in the field they love. The Massachusetts Head Start Association commends the Healey-Driscoll Administration, Commissioner Kershaw, and the Board of Early Education and Care for codifying these changes that support families, early educators, and our early education system in Massachusetts.”

MA Business Coalition for Early Childhood Education Executive Director and Fellow for Early Childhood Development at Eastern Bank Foundation Tom Weber: “High-quality and accessible early childhood education services are essential to healthy child growth and development, family economic opportunity and mobility, and a competitive Massachusetts economy. Today’s actions by the Board continue to expand access to life-changing child care services, enhance child care program quality, and build a stronger workforce to power all Massachusetts communities and our economy.”

SEIU Local 509 President Dave Foley: “Expanded access for families and priority access for providers will directly benefit working families, helping ensure that more parents have access to quality child care while ensuring that the dedicated professionals who provide it can also access the care they need to continue their work. We are proud of the work our union members have done to advocate for this, and we look forward to working with the administration to ensure there is additional funding to end the freeze on Child Care Financial Assistance.”

Common Start Coalition Director and Coalition for Social Justice Executive Strategist Deb Pimental: "The Common Start Coalition thanks Governor Healey and the Board of Early Education and Care for their work to implement this much-needed expansion of eligibility for families and early educators seeking affordable care. And we appreciate the thought that went into protecting vulnerable families by ensuring that those receiving child care financial assistance are not unintentionally disqualified from other essential support programs. These regulations bring Massachusetts one step closer to achieving our Common Start vision of affordable child care for all families; high-quality programs and services for all children; significantly better pay and benefits for early educators; a permanent, stable source of funding for providers; and substantial relief for businesses and our entire economy."

Massachusetts Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs Executive Director Jennifer Aldworth: “The Massachusetts Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs was pleased to see the Board of Early Education and Care’s vote to expand Governor Healey’s Child Care Financial Assistance, raising eligibility from 50% of the state median income to 85%. In addition, this vote serves to protect benefits for families and provide priority access for early childhood educators. Organizations like Boys & Girls Clubs serve some of the most economically disadvantaged children in the state and we are happy to see the expanded eligibility for families throughout the Commonwealth.”

Alliance of Massachusetts YMCAs CEO Kate-Marie Roycroft: "The Alliance of Massachusetts YMCAs is pleased to see these vital and necessary changes take effect. Expanding access to child care for more families strengthens our communities and reaffirms the Commonwealth’s commitment to being a place where all families can grow and thrive.”

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