Governor Healey Launches First Family Advisory Council for Early Education and Care

 Governor Healey Launches First Family Advisory Council for Early Education and Care

 Twenty parents and caregivers from across Massachusetts will help shape child care policies, programs and services

BOSTON — Governor Maura Healey today announced the 20 parents and caregivers selected to serve on the Department of Elementary Education and Care (EEC)’s first formal Family Advisory Council (FAC), creating a direct and ongoing role for families in shaping the policies, programs, and resources that serve Massachusetts children and families.

"We’re working every day to make high-quality child care more affordable and accessible for families across Massachusetts, and that work has to start with listening to families, " said Governor Maura Healey. "That’s what this Council is all about. These members know firsthand what it takes to find and pay for care, navigate different programs and make the best choices for their children. Their voices will help us build a child care system that works better for every family. "

 “Parents and caregivers understand what is working, what is not and where families need more support,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “This council brings those experiences directly into the decisions we make at the state level. We’re grateful to every member for stepping up to represent families in their communities.”

The Family Advisory Council brings together a diverse group of parents, caregivers, and guardians representing communities from every region of Massachusetts. Council members bring a wide range of lived experiences with early education and care, out-of-school time programs, residential care services, and other systems that support children and families. 

The Council also reflects the diversity of Massachusetts families across income levels, language, cultural background, race, ethnicity, and geography. Members will meet quarterly to advise EEC on a range of topics, including family access and support initiatives, child care financial assistance, workforce development efforts, and strategies to increase family engagement throughout the state.

"Family engagement is foundational to student success and child well-being," said Secretary of Education Steve Zrike. "The members of this Council bring valuable insights that will help inform our work and ensure that policies and programs are responsive to the realities families face every day. Engaging families as partners from a child’s earliest years helps build a strong foundation for learning and success throughout their education."

The Council advances a key priority of EEC’s Strategic Action Plan: centering the voices of families, educators and providers in the department’s policies and programs.

Members were selected through a competitive application process based on their experiences with programs and services for children, commitment to family engagement and ability to represent different perspectives from across Massachusetts.

"This milestone reinforces the important partnership between EEC and families across Massachusetts," said Early Education and Care Commissioner Amy Kershaw. "The Family Advisory Council will help us better understand the experiences of children and caregivers, strengthen our programs and services, and build a more equitable and responsive early education and care system. We are excited to welcome these members and grateful for their willingness to serve."

The new Council builds on the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s work to make child care more affordable and accessible for families and strengthen the early education and care workforce. Since taking office, the Administration has:

• Added more than 26,000 child care seats 
• Expanded financial assistance to help 17,000 families afford care
• Continued operational grants that have helped 8,000 child care programs stay open
• Launched the state’s first-ever $15 million loan repayment program for early childhood educators 
• Invested more than 250 early education apprentices

“There’s no better way to stay informed about what Massachusetts parents and families need and want when it comes to early education and care than to hear directly from them,” said Senator Jason Lewis, Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Education. “The Family Advisory Council will serve as an indispensable resource to bring lived experiences and new insights to state agencies and policymakers in the coming years.”

“In Massachusetts, we are always striving to strengthen and improve our early education and care system,” said Representative Ken Gordon, House Chair of the Joint Committee on Education. “Parents and caregivers bring an invaluable perspective to this work, and their voices will have a tremendous impact on the work of this advisory council."

 

Representing all five EEC regions, the inaugural members of the Family Advisory Council are:

Metro Boston

• Analuisa Diaz de la Cruz
• Nicole Pola
• Karima Rehmani
• John Smith-St. Cyere

Metro West

• Kelly Dube
• Laura Valero Lopez

Central

• Wairimu Macharia
• Fatou Nije-Jallow

North East

• Sam Gragg
• Audrey Kelly
• Taina M. Janvier
• Rodolfo Saldarriaga

South East

• Kristi Ferrantella
• Sarah Hendrick
• Kendra LeBeau
• Caitlin Petrizzi-Canavan

Western

• Brandon Mauer
• Louis Nunez
• Fiona Smith
• Tierney Sodders

For more information about the Family Advisory Council, visit mass.gov/EECFamilyAdvisory.