Neighborhood Villages Applauds Governor Maura Healey’s Commitment to Early Education in Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Proposal

BOSTON, MA (January 28, 2026) - Neighborhood Villages, a Boston-based nonprofit dedicated to realizing a future in which all families have access to affordable, high-quality early education and care, issued the following statement regarding Governor Maura Healey’s Fiscal Year 2027 (FY2027) budget proposal:

“We commend Governor Healey for her continued steadfast commitment to Massachusetts’ children and families. With this budget proposal, which invests $1.8 billion in early education and care, the Healey-Driscoll Administration has once again demonstrated that early education is not just a budget line item, but the foundation of our Commonwealth’s economic and social well-being, especially in these difficult times,” said Lauren Kennedy, Co-President of Neighborhood Villages.

“We particularly applaud the Governor’s proposal to fund the Commonwealth Cares for Children (C3) operations grants at $475 million. These direct-to-provider grants are the bedrock of stability for our sector. By maintaining this critical funding, the Administration is ensuring that providers can keep their doors open, retain talented educators, and prevent tuition spikes for families who are already stretched thin. Furthermore, the proposed investments in public Child Care Financial Assistance (CCFA), amongst other key programs, will help to ensure continuity of access to early education, especially for more vulnerable children and families.

The Governor’s budget proposal is a strong starting point that reflects the values of our Commonwealth. We look forward to working with the Legislature and the Governor in the months ahead to achieve a final Fiscal Year 2027 budget that centers children and families.”

###

About Neighborhood Villages: Neighborhood Villages is a Massachusetts-based systems-change non-profit that advocates for solutions to the greatest challenges faced by the early education and care sector.