The Desktop
From the Desk of Neighborhood Villages
RECAP of the October 15, 2025, EEC Board Meeting: Updates on Career Pathways Student Survey, FY27 Budget Priorities, C3, and the Family and Educator Portals
At Neighborhood Villages, we prioritize keeping up with the policy landscape in the early education and care field, both across the country and in Massachusetts. That includes tuning-in to the monthly meetings of the Massachusetts Board of Early Education and Care (“EEC Board”), to stay apprised of updates and to identify opportunities for how we can work with government and other stakeholders to improve our early education and care system.
Get to Know Marc Davino: Vice President of Development
Say hello to Marc Davino, Neighborhood Villages’ Vice President of Development.
Neighborhood Villages, MFS Foundation, and Baby2Baby Distribute More than 80,000 Diapers and Essential Goods Across Massachusetts
This week, amid rising prices nationwide, Neighborhood Villages, MFS Investment Management Foundation, and Baby2Baby partnered to distribute over 80,000 diapers and other essential goods, including wipes, formula, coats, laundry detergent, and school supplies in communities across Massachusetts.
RECAP of the September 10, 2025 EEC Board Meeting
At Neighborhood Villages, we prioritize keeping up with the policy landscape in the early education and care field, both across the country and in Massachusetts. That includes tuning-in to the monthly meetings of the Massachusetts Board of Early Education and Care (“EEC Board”), to stay apprised of updates and to identify opportunities for how we can work with government and other stakeholders to improve our early education and care system.
Get to Know Elizabeth Leiwant: Vice President of Public Policy and Research
Elizabeth Leiwant’s dedication to a thriving care system is rooted in her long time interest in the as a child care center assistant teacher, K-12 classroom teacher and administrator, researcher, and mom.
Neighborhood Villages: 2025 Summer School
Welcome to Neighborhood Villages Summer School — While the Policy Pulse is on vacation in July and August, stay informed about early education and child care.
RECAP of the August 13, 2025, EEC Board Meeting: Updates to the C3 Formula
At Neighborhood Villages, we prioritize keeping up with the policy landscape in the early education and care field, both across the country and in Massachusetts. That includes tuning-in to the monthly meetings of the Massachusetts Board of Early Education and Care (“EEC Board”), to stay apprised of updates and to identify opportunities for how we can work with government and other stakeholders to improve our early education and care system.
Get to Know Alina Lopez Thomas: Vice President of Programs and Innovation
A proud Bostonian and life-long learner, Alina Lopez Thomas found her calling in early childhood education. Making the unlikely transition from carpentry to advocacy, her passion for learning has guided each step of her career.
Get to Know Kate Armstrong: Senior Vice President of Operations
Kate Armstrong, Neighborhood Villages’ new Senior Vice President of Operations, plays a key role in keeping the gears of our organization turning.
Get To Know Binal Patel: The New Executive Director of Neighborhood Villages
We are thrilled to announce that Chief Program Officer, Binal Patel, has been named the new Executive Director of Neighborhood Villages.
Neighborhood Villages Partners with Baby2Baby to Distribute 80,000 Diapers to Families in Response to Rising Diaper Costs
With diaper costs continuing to rise across the country, we teamed up with Baby2Baby to organize our second distribution initiative, delivering 80,000 diapers to the Massachusetts community.
RECAP of the June 11, 2025, EEC Board Meeting: Updates on the State Budget, C3, and Residential Regulations
At Neighborhood Villages, we prioritize keeping up with the policy landscape in the early education and care field, both across the country and in Massachusetts. That includes tuning-in to the monthly meetings of the Massachusetts Board of Early Education and Care (“EEC Board”), to stay apprised of updates and to identify opportunities for how we can work with government and other stakeholders to improve our early education and care system.
Top 5 Takeaways From the Massachusetts Senate Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Proposal
On May 22, 2025, the Massachusetts Senate finalized its $61.4 billion budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26). The Senate demonstrated strong support for early education and child care, dedicating $1.7 billion to the sector. This is almost a $200 million increase than in the final Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) state budget.
Mental Health Awareness Month: “Early Relational Health Belongs to Us All”
When Mental Health Awareness Month arrives each May, it’s an opportunity to highlight the importance of early relational health (ERH) to a child’s development. We sat down with Lisa Garcia, licensed mental health counselor and Neighborhood Villages’ Director of Early Relational Health, to continue our conversation on early relational health.
RECAP of the May 14, 2025 EEC Board Meeting: Updates on the State Budget, CPPI, and the New Educator Credential
At Neighborhood Villages, we prioritize keeping up with the policy landscape in the early education and care field, both across the country and in Massachusetts. That includes tuning-in to the monthly meetings of the Massachusetts Board of Early Education and Care (“EEC Board”), to stay apprised of updates and to identify opportunities for how we can work with government and other stakeholders to improve our early education and care system.