Massachusetts invests in early childhood and out-of-school-time facilities

Great to visit East Boston Social Center w/ Secretary Tutwiler to announce $8.5 million in capital funding to 20 early education & out-of-school time program facilities.

Thanks for joining, @MassEEA Director of Outdoor Recreation Jahnige, @SenDiDomenico and Rep. @adrianmadaro! pic.twitter.com/002Ojr2nq6

— MA Dept of Early Education and Care (@MassEarlyEdCare) August 28, 2024

Governor Maura Healey has announced that 20 organizations across the state will receive $8.5 million “in capital funding to renovate early education and out-of-school time program facilities that serve primarily low-income families.”

“Making early education and care more affordable and accessible is a top priority for our administration,” Healey says. “Capital investments are an important part of that. These capital grants give our hardworking child care programs the financial resources they need to provide modern, healthy, and safe environments for our kids to learn and play. This funding also helps us make progress on our climate goals, which is essential for ensuring our kids have secure futures.” 

Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll adds:

“These funds improve programs’ energy efficiency, ventilation and water conservation, accessibility for families and educators, add new security measures, update outdoor play areas, and so much more.”

And Amy Kershaw, the commissioner of the Department of Early Education and Care, adds, “Capital investments like these are making Massachusetts a better place to live, go to school, work, raise a family, and build a better future.”

Among the grant recipients are:

• the East Boston Social Center, which will use its $246,000 grant to upgrade its elevator system and invest in evacuation chairs to help people with limited mobility exit the building during emergencies.

• the Guild of St. Agnes in Webster, which will use a $500,000 grant to replace its HVAC system, install new fire alarms, and add a new surveillance system.

• The Community Group in Lawrence, which has received a $272,000 grant to update a play structure, install a shed to store playground equipment, repave a parking lot, and make other improvements, and

• The YMCA of Central Massachusetts, in Southbridge, which has received a $495,000 grant to cover the cost of installing accessible play structures as well as new tables and a shade canopy, and removing diseased trees and replacing a fence. 

“This funding is available through the administration’s FY24 – FY28 Capital Investment Plan Early Education and Out-of-School Time (EEOST) fund and from the Early Education & Care Provider Capital funding delivered in the fiscal year 2024 state budget,” Governor Healey’s statement says. “For the first time, for-profit child care centers and out-of-school time programs that serve at least 50% of children who receive public benefits were eligible.”

Finally, it’s Paul Jahnige, the state’s first director of the Office of Outdoor Recreation, who points to the importance of sustainable play spaces in an age of climate change, noting, “These grants support resilient outdoor play spaces and low-carbon, resilient facilities. Improving the quality and accessibility of our learning environments ensures that our youngest residents have healthy and safe spaces to play and grow.”