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.

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.

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.

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. 

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. 

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.

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. 

Kate Armstrong, Neighborhood Villages’ new Senior Vice President of Operations, plays a key role in keeping the gears of our organization turning.

We are thrilled to announce that Chief Program Officer, Binal Patel, has been named the new Executive Director of Neighborhood Villages. 

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.

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.

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.

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.