Press Release  Department of Early Education and Care Opens Applications for Family Advisory Council

Boston — The Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced that applications are now open for the Department of Early Education and Care’s (EEC) first formal statewide Family Advisory Council. This Council is designed to strengthen the connection between families, educators, community partners, and policymakers in promoting affordable, accessible and high-quality early education and care.

The Family Advisory Council will serve as a unifying thread across child care, out-of-school time, and residential care programs by bringing families’ lived experiences directly into state decision-making. This Council will play an essential role in helping EEC build a more inclusive, responsive, and effective system. Members will help inform policy and program decisions, elevate parents’ voices in leadership spaces, and guide EEC as it strengthens connections among children and families and the programs and resources designed to support them. Families can apply at mass.gov/EECFamilyAdvisory.

“Government works better when we listen to families — plain and simple,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Their lived experience is essential to building systems and designing programs and policies that are responsive to the needs of every child in Massachusetts.”

“Families deserve a real voice in shaping the early education and care system they rely on and trust,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “The new Family Advisory Council ensures parents and caregivers help guide the programs and policies that affect them and their loved ones and strengthens our commitment to equity and opportunity for every child in Massachusetts.”

EEC is seeking parents, caregivers, and guardians of children currently enrolled in early education programs, out-of-school time programs, or residential care supports. The Council will reflect the diversity of Massachusetts families, including in lived experience with EEC and other public systems, income, language, cultural background, race, ethnicity, and geography. Members will commit to a one-hour meeting each month, held either virtually or in person, and will receive a stipend for each meeting attended.

“Our families know better than anyone what children need to thrive,” said Secretary of Education Dr. Patrick Tutwiler. “Engaging directly with parents and caregivers will offer invaluable insights that help us understand what communities need and how our policies affect them on the ground. We look forward to deepening this partnership and strengthening the support we provide to young children across Massachusetts.”

“Families are essential partners in building a stronger, more equitable early education and care system,” said Early Education and Care Commissioner Amy Kershaw. “This Council will ensure that parents, caregivers, and guardians across the Commonwealth have a meaningful seat at the table and help shape the policies that impact them every day. We are grateful to every family that steps forward to contribute their experience and perspective.”

The application invites family members to share their experiences with advocacy, volunteer work, community leadership, or other roles where they have supported children, families, or their communities. Applicants are also asked to share their vision for how the Family Advisory Council can strengthen early education and care programming and resource supports across the Commonwealth. No formal leadership background is required — just a commitment to helping improve the systems that support children and families.

Applications are now open on the EEC website, and families from every region of Massachusetts are encouraged to apply. Please visit mass.gov/EECFamilyAdvisory for more information.

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