Press Release  Governor Healey Expands Child Care Financial Assistance for More Than 2,000 Children

BOSTON — The Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced that the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) is implementing a $31.2 million expansion of Income Eligible Child Care Financial Assistance (CCFA), helping approximately 2,100 additional children across Massachusetts access affordable, high-quality child care.

Funded through the FY26 Fair Share Supplemental Budget signed by Governor Maura Healey, the investment will expand contracted child care seats and provide additional vouchers for families currently on the Income Eligible waitlist. EEC will implement the expansion in phases, with a goal of reaching eligible families who have been waiting the longest for assistance, including families who were not reached during the previous round of funding opening.

“Every family deserves access to affordable, high-quality child care, and this investment means thousands more children will be able to get into the care they need,” said Governor Maura Healey. “We’re moving families off the waitlist, creating more child care opportunities across the state and making it easier for families to access the support they need.”

“ Access to affordable child care makes a real difference for families, helping parents go to work, pursue their education and build a better future for their children,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “We’re creating more opportunities for families to access affordable, high-quality care while supporting the providers that children and families rely on in communities across Massachusetts.”

The investment also includes dedicated funding to support members of the early education and care workforce afford child care for their own children. More than 2,000 children of staff working in early education and care setting   are currently on the statewide waitlist. Through this expansion, EEC expects to provide assistance to approximately 580 children of early education and care staff — about 26 percent, or one in four of those currently active on the waitlist.

"Access to affordable, high-quality child care is essential to helping children get a strong start and giving parents the opportunity to work and support their families,” said Education Secretary Steve Zrike. “This investment will help thousands of children and families access the care they need, and recognizes the important role our early education and care workforce plays in supporting families across the Commonwealth.”

“Families across Massachusetts need affordable, reliable child care so they can work, go to school and support their families,” said EEC Commissioner Amy Kershaw. “This investment not only helps more of their children have access to high-quality learning environments but also provides dedicated support to the educators who make that care and education possible every day.”

Families can continue to apply for Income Eligible Child Care Financial Assistance and join the waitlist as EEC begins connecting families already waiting with available care. Families currently on the waitlist do not need to submit a new application solely because of this expansion. EEC will work with its Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) agencies and contracted providers to contact families as financial assistance becomes available. 

“This financial assistance will give young families peace of mind during turbulent economic times,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “At a moment when parents and caregivers especially need a hand, Massachusetts is coming through for them. This assistance will help place thousands of kids into great child care programs and pave the way for their future success. We were proud to support this program in the Senate and are thankful to Governor Healey and Lt. Governor Driscoll for their leadership.”

“I’m proud of the House’s longstanding commitment to early education and care programming across the Commonwealth,” said House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano (D-Quincy). “This funding means that more families can access affordable, high-quality care, and it gives our early educators the stability they need to keep serving them. I’m grateful to the Healey Administration and Commissioner Kershaw for their continued partnership.”

“Investing in educational priorities such as expanding access to high-quality affordable early education and childcare is exactly why we passed the Fair Share Amendment,” said Senator Jason Lewis, Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Education. “This new revenue from the state’s millionaires and billionaires will support thousands of families and children, focusing on those who have been stuck on the waitlist for assistance for far too long, as well as supporting the staff who work tirelessly to run these vital programs.”

"Expanding child care is one of the most valuable investments we can make", said Representative Ken Gordon, House Chair of the Joint Committee on Education. "I am proud that the Legislature and the Administration are working together to help families move off the waitlist and into the classroom."

The expansion builds on the Governor Healey’s broader efforts to make child care more affordable and accessible for families across Massachusetts. The Administration has expanded income eligibility for CCFA, streamlined regulations to simplify the application process and reduce paperwork, and increased reimbursement rates to better support child care providers.

EEC has also made it easier for families to apply for and manage financial assistance through MyChildCareMA, the state’s new online family portal. Available on computers and mobile devices, the multilingual portal allows families to apply for CCFA, upload required documents, track their application statusand manage funding offers in one place.

Families can learn more about Child Care Financial Assistance and how to apply at mass.gov/CCFA. 

###