Policy Pulse #11
In each issue of the Policy Pulse, you will find an overview of what’s happening with Massachusetts and national child care policy and information on what you can do to take action and join the movement for a transformed early education and care system. You’ll also find resources, reports, and advocacy tools. In this issue, we’ll update you on the Massachusetts budget process, implications of federal actions, the most recent Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) Board meeting, and more. Let’s dive in.
What To Know
Massachusetts House Proposes over $1.6B for Early Education in FY2026 Budget
The Massachusetts House of Representatives finalized their FY2026 budget proposal for education and local aid which includes over $1.6 billion in funding for early education and care. The proposal level funds the Commonwealth Cares for Children (C3) program and increases funding for Child Care Financial Assistance (CCFA). Check out Neighborhood Villages’ MA state budget page for more details on the House proposal and other important information on the FY2026 budget process, including how the reforms from the FY2025 budget are being implemented. The House will vote on their full budget proposal later this week.
The Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care Held its April Board Meeting
The Board of Massachusetts’ Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) most recently met on April 9, 2025. Important decisions about the early education and care sector are made at monthly EEC board meetings, and you can read the wrap-up here! Here are highlights of what happened at the April board meeting:
An update on the Key Performance Indicator (KPI) dashboards, Preschool Development Grants, EEC capital investment programs, and the Commonwealth Cares for Children (C3) program.
A discussion of C3 and EEC’s next steps to sustain the program’s successes, seeking feedback from providers, and implementing changes to the program.
An update on the development of a Family Advisory Council, which EEC plans to launch in October.
United States House of Representatives continues to work towards cutting $330 Billion in Education and Workforce Programs
The U.S. House Committee on Education and Workforce Development is meeting on April 29th to discuss the budget reconciliation package which includes a directive for the committee to cut $330 Billion in social service programs. You can watch the hearing here.
Head Start and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office Closures
The United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is drastically cutting staff and closing federal offices, including in Massachusetts. On April 1, 2025, HHS, which administers the Head Start program, announced it is closing 5 of the 10 regional Head Start offices. The agency will close the offices in Boston, Seattle, San Francisco, Chicago, and New York. It is also closing the federal HHS offices in these regions, which are the federal point of connection for the Child Care Financial Assistance program.
Last month the HHS announced it would be restructuring pursuant to an Executive Order by President Trump. HHS plans to reduce its workforce by 20,000 employees, or about 25%, and has already cut its staff by 10,000, including the entire office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE), which sets the federal poverty guidelines. These guidelines determine whether tens of millions of Americans are eligible for safety net programs such as Medicaid, food assistance, child care, and other services, including the entire division of data and evaluation.
While President Trump is allegedly considering a budget proposal that would completely eliminate Head Start, only Congress can allocate federal funding. Congress is currently developing the federal budget. The actual budget proposal is expected out this week. Only Congress can allocate federal funding. Congress may take President Trump’s budget proposal under consideration as it determines the budget, but, as of now, no Head Start funding has been eliminated.
Potential Federal Cuts to Medicaid/MassHealth Would Impact Child Care Educators and Families
On April 10, 2025, the U.S. House of Representatives agreed to the Senate’s amendment to their budget resolution, moving Congress one step closer to finalizing the federal budget and tax legislation. It orders significant spending cuts, which may threaten Medicaid, or what is known as MassHealth in Massachusetts. 48% of children and 15% of early educators depend on MassHealth. A threat to Medicaid is a threat to children and early educators. Read more here!
What To Do
Join Us for Breaking Down the Budget: Learn More about What Is in the FY2026 State Budget Proposals and How to Advocate for Early Education and Care
Neighborhood Villages and Strategies for Children are hosting a conversation about early education and care funding in the Massachusetts state budget on Wednesday, May 7 from 6:30pm-7:30pm on Zoom. Register here. Everyone is welcome! We’ll help you better understand the House’s proposal, analyze funding levels in the context of our current reality, and prepare for advocacy. Interpretation/translation will be provided from English to Spanish and Portuguese. This meeting will be recorded.
Contact Your Legislators
Tell Your MA Legislators Your FY2026 Budget Priorities!
The MA FY2026 budget process is moving quickly! This week the House will pass their final budget proposal. The Senate is drafting its budget right now. Contact your Senator immediately. Tell them to prioritize funding child care in the Senate's proposal. Find your legislators here or use our template.Your input is crucial. Contact them today!
Contact Your Federal Legislators!
Now is the time to stand up for Massachusetts children and families. Head Start and the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) are essential lifelines, providing early education and financial assistance for child care to thousands across our state. Head Start alone supports over 10,000 families in Massachusetts, and CCDBG helps working parents afford the care their children need to thrive. We can't afford to lose these vital programs. Contact your federal representatives today and urge them to protect and fully fund Head Start and CCDBG You can find their contact information here or advocate directly through the national Head Start Association.
Make Your Voice Heard about the Commonwealth Cares for Children (C3) Program
The Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) is seeking feedback from providers on how to improve the Commonwealth Cares for Children (C3) Program. You can use their feedback form to provide feedback on your experience and what you would like to see for the future of the program.
What’s Next
The next meeting of the EEC Board of Directors will be on May 14, 2025 at 1:00pm. A full schedule of meetings as well as recordings and meeting materials can be found here. We will share a full recap of this meeting in the next issue of the Policy Pulse.
The next step in the Massachusetts state budget process is passing the House budget proposal, which is expected this week. The FY2026 budget will then go to the State Senate.
The Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) is developing a Family Advisory Committee. From May to September, they will develop an application process and plan to launch the council in October.
The deadline for federal appropriations proposals for Health And Human Services (which oversees child care) and Education for FY2026 are do on My 23rd
