Press Release  Healey-Driscoll Administration Submits Comment in Support of Biden-Harris Administration’s Proposed Child Care Changes

Boston — The Healey-Driscoll administration submitted formal public comment this week in support of the Biden-Harris Administration’s proposed Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) changes that would reduce child care costs for low-income families and improve provider payment policies to help stabilize the child care market and financial stability of programs. The state’s child care financial assistance program is supported by CCDF and supports access to child care for approximately 58,000 children and their families across Massachusetts. The proposed regulation changes align with the Commonwealth’s efforts to expand equitable access to quality and affordable child care for families in the communities in which they live, learn, and work.

“One of the top priorities of our administration is making early education and care more affordable and accessible. That is why the first budget I signed made a historic investment in child care, the largest annual funding ever for our Department of Early Education and Care,” said Governor Maura Healey. “But there is still work to be done and it is going to take efforts at the federal, state, and local levels. We strongly support the Biden-Harris Administration’s proposed changes that align with our efforts to ensure equitable access to affordable child care for our hard-working families and a stable market for our educators and local businesses.”

“In Massachusetts, we are investing in child care so that regardless of zip code or economic background our youngest learners can access the high-quality education they need to succeed in school and life. Access to affordable child care is also an engine of the state’s economy, enabling families of all income levels to participate in our workforce,” said Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll. “It is great to see the Biden-Harris Administration’s alignment with these efforts and we look forward to continuing to partner with them to reduce child care costs for families and support our local communities.”

“Early education is foundational to closing the opportunity gap in the Commonwealth – bringing economic equity and mobility to families, as well as educational opportunities to their children,” said Secretary of Education Patrick Tutwiler. “I appreciate the Biden-Harris Administrations’ proposed enhancement to child care financial assistance and am proud that these changes will support the good work already underway in Massachusetts.”  

“The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated longstanding fragility in the early education and care system, where programs have long struggled to balance affordability for families with providing sufficient wages for staff and investing in critical quality supports,” said Early Education and Care Commissioner Amy Kershaw. “We are focused on making significant changes to our child care financial assistance programs in Massachusetts. I am grateful for our partnership with the federal government and the strong alignment with the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to build a more accessible, affordable, and equitable child care system.” 

In partnership with families and stakeholders, the Administration is focused on expanding equitable and dignified access to high-quality early education and care. Through this effort, the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) is centering the family voice and restructuring the agency’s operations, policies, and procedures to modernize and improve the user experience. EEC has been working to make significant changes to the state’s child care financial assistance regulations that will go into effect later this fall, simplifying the application process, reducing the paperwork burden for families and programs, and updating policies to better support homeless families, families with disabilities and families facing domestic violence.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services allowed public comment on the proposed Child Care and Development Fund changes for a window of 46 days. Monday was the final day a comment can be submitted. 

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