Arr, me hearties! The Massachusetts Gov. Healey be pushin' fer spendin' on wee ones, under a newfangled proposal!
2024-01-16
Avast ye mateys! Democratic Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey be makin' a grand announcement, me hearties! She be proposin' a plan to broaden the horizons o' our wee ones, providin' more access to early learnin' and state-subsidized childcare. Arrr, ain't that a jolly good idea, me fellow buccaneers?
Parents in Massachusetts, particularly in the state's former industrial "Gateway Cities," may soon have better access to child care and early education, thanks to a plan unveiled by Democratic Governor Maura Healey. Under the plan, every 4-year-old in the 26 Gateway Cities, including Worcester, Springfield, New Bedford, Taunton, and Chelsea, would have the opportunity to enroll their child in a high-quality preschool program at low or no cost. Currently, the program exists in 12 Gateway Cities, but Healey hopes to expand it to the remaining 14.In addition, Healey's proposal aims to assist an additional 4,000 low- and moderate-income families in affording child care by increasing eligibility for the state's Child Fare Financial Assistance programs. The plan would raise the income threshold for eligibility from 50% of the state median income to 85%, allowing more families to qualify for support.
Healey acknowledges the burden of child care costs on parents, hindering their ability to return to the workforce. She believes that providers also face difficult choices between continuing in their profession or pursuing higher-paid careers. The governor plans to outline her initiative during her State of the Commonwealth address in 2024.
Furthermore, Healey intends to continue the Commonwealth Cares for Children grants, which support programs aimed at improving child care quality and hiring more staff to create additional classrooms. She also plans to sign an executive order recognizing the vital role of child care in driving the state's economy and competitiveness. This order will bring together experts in various fields with members of the business community to find ways to expand access, build new child care facilities, and reduce costs for families.
Healey made the announcement during a visit to Malden, one of the state's Gateway Cities.