Urge Your State Senator to Vote YES on the EARLY ED Act!

Last week, the Senate released the EARLY ED Act, a bill that provides a comprehensive framework for making high-quality early education and care accessible and affordable in Massachusetts! This bill would:

  • Make the state’s Commonwealth Cares for Children (C3) operational grant program permanent, providing a stable source of funding for child care providers

  • Expand eligibility for child care financial assistance to many Massachusetts families

  • Boost compensation for early educators by creating a career ladder and providing scholarships and loan forgiveness

  • Take numerous other steps to make high-quality early education and child care more affordable and accessible to Massachusetts families

This bill is an important step towards achieving the full Common Start Vision of high-quality, accessible, and affordable early education and care for all families in Massachusetts. The Senate will vote on this bill on Thursday, March 14 - please take a couple minutes today to email your State Senator and urge them to vote YES on the EARLY ED Act!

We are also urging legislators to support the following amendments, which include language that was part of prior Common Start legislative proposals.

  • Amendment #13 — Child care financial assistance appeals tracking to ensure fairness. Would require the state Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) to collect and report data on the rates of child care financial assistance (CCFA) denials, appeals, and final results, which is critical to ensuring the fair administration of the program.

  • Amendment #18 — Affordable payment plans for families. Would ensure that families receiving CCFA who fall behind on their fees are offered an affordable payment plan, and do not lose access to their childcare while they are making payments under a payment plan. Would also give providers the option of getting fully paid by EEC in the interim.

  • Amendment #21 — Updating definitions to include new programs. A technical correction that would ensure that this legislation does not unintentionally diminish the collective voice of family child care providers made possible through their union membership.