Massachusetts to Boost Reimbursement Rates for Child Care Providers

 Massachusetts to Boost Reimbursement Rates for Child Care Providers  

Board of Early Education Approves Healey-Driscoll Administration’s Transformative Proposal, 6^th State in the Nation Federally Approved to Use Cost of Care Data 

 

WORCESTER – Today the Board of Early Education and Care unanimously approved the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s transformative changes to how the state reimburses early education and care providers who accept state child care financial assistance, known as rates. Child care providers across Massachusetts will start to receive at least a 5.5 percent increase to their daily per child reimbursement rate beginning in February 2024, an increase of over $2,000 a year on average per child. They will also soon receive a one-time retroactive payment to account for the increased rates back to July 1, 2023. 

 

The approved rates make significant progress on addressing long-standing inequities in rate amounts by geographic region and age group of children served. Massachusetts will be using the cost of providing care as a metric for setting rates for the first time, investing $65 million from the state’s fiscal year 2024 budget to raise regions with similar economic indicators to the same rate amount. Providers will also start to receive higher reimbursements for infant and toddler care to better cover the true cost of providing care to these age groups. 

 

“I thank the Board of Early Education and Care for their support in approving our transformational rate proposal, setting Massachusetts up to be a national leader in using the cost of care to more accurately and equitably determine reimbursements for our child care providers. These deserved increases will help providers to recruit and retain a high-quality workforce and reduce costs for families,” said Governor Maura Healey. “I also thank the Legislature for their partnership in making historic investments in early education and care this fiscal year. Team Massachusetts is continuing to prioritize making child care more affordable and accessible.” 

 

“We have heard from child care providers that some regions in the state have disproportionately lower rates, and that infant and toddler rates have been too low for too long. Under our administration, and in partnership with the Board and Legislature, today’s approved rates are a big step forward in addressing these past inequities and in our work to expand access and affordability for families across Massachusetts,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. 

 

Rates provide direct needs-based financial assistance to increase low-income families’ purchasing power in the market and help pay for the cost of care. Under this approved rate proposal, Massachusetts is one of the first states in the country to use the cost of care as an additional metric when setting rates. There is growing recognition nationally that a market rate survey alone is not the best metric to use and that the cost of care should also be included, as the price of care is often more reflective of how much parents are able to pay for care and the local market for tuition versus the cost of providing high quality care. Federal rules require states to use a market rate survey or alternative methodology to set rates. Massachusetts is one of the first six states in the country federally approved to move forward with an alternative methodology when setting rates for child care financial assistance. 

 

“Here in Massachusetts, we don’t just want to get ‘back’ to how things were before the pandemic – we are focused on transforming our early education and care system forward towards access and equity for all families,” said Secretary of Education Patrick Tutwiler. “Today’s approved rate changes continue our efforts to transform our state’s child care financial assistance system to be what all our children, families and early education and care providers deserve.”  

 

“Our child care financial assistance programs are a critical tool to expanding access and affordability for families. Today’s approval of our transformational rate increase, in addition to the significant reforms we rolled out in the fall to that make it easier for providers to administer these programs, aim to attract more providers to participate in the state’s system,” said Early Education and Care Commissioner Amy Kershaw. “I want to thank our EEC staff, the Board, and our providers for your partnership in this vital work.”  

 

Examples of rate increases by region and age group of children served in center-based settings include: 

 

	Infant		Toddler
Per Day/ Per Child	Current Rate	New Rate	Current Rate	New Rate
Western	$72.37	$97.18  (34% increase)	$66.36 ​	$75.48  ​(14% increase)
Central	$75.95	$97.18  (28% increase)	$68.36	$75.48  ​(10% increase)
Northeast	$89.51	$102.07  (14% increase)	$78.12	$84.70  ​(8% increase)
Metro	$110.24	$119.52  (8% increase)	$100.04	$108.46  (8% increase)
Southeast	$72.37	$97.18  (34% increase)	$67.89	$75.48 ​  (11% increase)
Metro Boston	$105.25	$119.52  (14% increase)	$93.20 ​	$108.46 ​  (16% increase)

 

“Today’s vote by the Board of Early Education and Care reflects our ongoing efforts to work on equitably supporting families to afford and access high-quality early education and care across the Commonwealth and supporting providers in that pursuit. I am grateful to the Board and the Healey-Driscoll Administration for the thoughtful, data driven approach to the rate proposal. As a Commonwealth, we continue to take steps to in the right direction to address the needs of children, families, and providers,” said Paul Belsito, Chair of the Board of Early Education and Care. 

Climate Chief Melissa Hoffer Welcomes Nick Black as Director of Strategic Initiatives for the Office of Climate Innovation and Resiliency

 Climate Chief Melissa Hoffer Welcomes Nick Black as Director of Strategic Initiatives for the Office of Climate Innovation and Resiliency  

 

BOSTON – Climate Chief Melissa Hoffer today welcomes Nick Black as the Director of Strategic Initiatives for the Office of Climate Innovation and Resilience. In this role, Black will work directly with Chief Hoffer on special initiatives like the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s Corporate Climate Challenge and develop and execute Massachusetts’ long-term climate initiatives, including implementing key EPA Climate Pollution Reduction Grant deliverables.

“I created the Climate Office on my very first day as Governor and ever since, Chief Hoffer and her team have consistently delivered results that advance Massachusetts’ whole-of-government approach to climate policy,” said Governor Healey. “Now, we’re excited to welcome Nick Black to the team. He has a proven track record of advocating for climate resiliency and we’re confident that his skills will make the team even stronger, strengthen our partnerships, and continue to ensure Massachusetts is at the forefront of addressing the climate crisis.”  

 

“Climate change is one of our most pressing issues as a country and as a state,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “Nick’s role as Director of Strategic Initiatives for the Climate Office will allow him to bring new ideas to Massachusetts and set us up for a more climate resilient future.”  

 

"We’re thrilled to welcome Nick Black to the Climate Office,” said Climate Chief Melissa Hoffer. “Our team is dedicated to thinking of out-of-the-box ways to approach the climate crisis and Nick’s experiences make him the perfect addition to our team. He has been a leader in the climate and environment space for years and his work advocating for climate resiliency in the City of Boston will serve him well in this new role as Director of Strategic Initiatives. We look forward to welcoming him and to working together to combat the climate crisis in Massachusetts.” 

 

“I have dedicated my career to thinking about new and innovative ways to approach the climate crisis and I am thrilled to bring those skills to the Massachusetts Climate Office,” said Nick Black. “I am passionate about advancing social and environmental causes that make a difference in people's lives. In this role, I hope to approach climate and environmental issues on a larger scale and bring forth new ideas that make Massachusetts more equitable, resilient and sustainable. I look forward to working with Chief Hoffer, the Climate Office and the Healey-Driscoll Administration.” 

Prior to this role, Nick Black was the Managing Director of the Boston Waterfront Initiative for the Trustees of Reservations. There, Black led a team to create a network of public open spaces along Boston’s shoreline. With over 15 years of experience in government, political campaigns, non-profits and strategic consulting, he has the skills and knowledge to navigate complex challenges and deliver impactful solutions. He has previous experience working for Hillary for America and Senator Elizabeth Warren.  

The Office of Climate Innovation and Resilience is charged with harnessing all of the resources and authority available to the Governor and the executive department to advance Massachusetts’ climate innovation, mitigation, adaptation and resilience policies. The Office is led by Climate Chief Melissa Hoffer, who is appointed by and reports to the Governor and serves as an officer within the Governor’s cabinet. Chief Hoffer is the principal policy advisor to the Governor on all matters relating to climate and leads the development and implementation of climate policy across executive department agencies and offices.   

紐英崙中華公所職員5人團隊連任就職 締造百年歷史

紐英崙中華公所職員、董事和嘉賓合影。(周菊子攝)

               (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導) 紐英崙中華公所5名職員，1月6日在波士頓經文處處長廖朝宏與州市議員到賀的隆重中就職，將連任2年，與41名公所董事攜手，繼續為社區服務。中華公所主席雷國輝直言，待辦工作很多，希望中華公所董事們全力支持。

駐波士頓經文處處長廖朝宏(右四)、波士頓僑教中心主任潘昭榮(
左一向右)恭喜中華公所職員，阮鴻燦、翁宇才、雷國輝、余寶愛、張青梅
連任、就職。右為司儀，北美舜裔篤親公所總理陳建立。(周菊子攝)

              中華公所創立於1890年代，直至1923年才正式註冊立案。帶領中華公所走完立案100週年這最後兩年的同一批職員，包括主席雷國輝、中文書記翁宇才、英文書記阮鴻燦，財政余寶愛、核數張青梅等人，去年在無人出馬競爭中，同額當選連任，將帶領中華公所為下一個百年開啟新篇章。

中華公所職員與經文處處長廖朝宏(中)、麻州眾議員Aaron Michlewitz (左二)，
波士頓市議員Ed Flynn (右三)、Erin Murphy (右二)合影。(周菊子攝)

              轄區包括華埠的麻州眾議員暨眾議會財政委員會主席麥家威 (Aaron Michlewitz)，麻州參議員Nick Collins，甫卸任市議會議長一職的波士頓第二區市議員愛德華費連 (Ed Flynn)，以及不分區市議員Erin Murphy，還有駐波士頓經文處處長廖朝宏、波士頓僑教中心主任潘昭榮，這天都應邀出席，為北美舜裔篤親公所總理陳建立擔任司儀的就職典禮，倍增隆重感。

              波士頓市市長吳弭 (Michelle Wu) 和中華公所多名議員私交甚篤，礙於時間衝突，數日前已和中華公所主席雷國輝等人私下晤談，並為這天不能到場表達歉意，送上恭賀。

中華公所職員與政要合影。右四為麻州參議員Nick Collins。
左三為麻州眾議員Aaron Michlewitz。(周菊子攝)

              中華公所主席雷國輝在就職典禮中以中英文雙語致詞。他在稱呼了全美安良工商會元老陳仕維，全美洪門致公堂總理余麗媖之後，特別點名感謝麻州眾議員麥家威心懷華埠，為包括中華公所、亞裔青年會等8個社區組織爭取到一筆經費，其中指定撥款10萬元給紐英崙中華公所，用於開辦英語班，只是不巧的，中華公所去年因為除鉛，翻修冷暖氣等裝修工程，關閉了6個月，以至於還未向政府請款，預定今年再著手辦理社會服務項目。

紐英崙中華公所就職典禮有四、五十人出席。(周菊子攝)

              雷國輝也詳述了未來這兩年，中華公所將著手辦理的事務，包括由大同村南停車場用地建造，將有85個100%可負擔出租單位的博愛樓，施工進度已達50%，今年內將完成剩下的50%工程。接下來，中華公所將發展目前出租給中國超市的喜露街50號，還要翻修已建成約50年的大同村，估計工程費用將上看5000萬到1億元。已獲美國國家史蹟局批准為史蹟，100多年前是全美第一所公立學校昆士小學所在的中華公所大樓 (90 Tyler St.,)，也將陸續辦理加建電梯，以符合美國殘障法 (ADA)規定，修繕隔間，以設立華人歷史傳統文化中心等工作。

波士頓經文處處長廖朝宏(右)頒發賀狀給紐英崙中華公所主席雷國輝。(周菊子攝)

              在嘉賓致詞中，麻州眾議員麥家威表示他出席是因為他非常關心中華公所，關心華埠社區，他感謝座中各人，努力保持這社區的茁壯。他為自己有幸與大家合作感到榮幸。他也強調大家必須團結一致，一起打拼，確保同舟共濟的朝同一方向划行。

麥家威事後透露，由於麻州去年的稅收不如預期，州長將刪減指定給地方的補助款，之前他為中華公所爭取到的經費，估計也會受影響

波士頓經文處處長廖朝宏(左)應紐英崙中華公所主席雷國輝(右二)、
英文書記阮鴻燦(右一)之邀，和麻州參議員Nick Collins合影。(周菊子攝)

              在Erin Murphy之後接著致詞的波士頓經文處處長廖朝宏笑說，他從去年8月上任以來，幾乎每週都來華埠參加活動，甚至一週三次，所以他知道中華公所職員、董事們都工作得很辛苦。他也強調希望中華公所和經文處，中華民國繼續合作。

              廖朝宏處長還在潘昭榮主任協助中，發給中華公所5名職員，每人一份就任賀狀。

麻州眾議員暨眾議會財政委員會主席麥家威 (Aaron Michlewitz)
去年為中華公所爭取到10萬元州政府經費。 (周菊子攝)

              波士頓市議員愛德華費連致詞時稱許中華公所致力團結社區，在改善民眾生活品質等許多議題上努力。他和Erin Murphy還聯袂發給中華公所一份表揚狀。

              就職典禮結束後，中華公所邀所有出席者到禮堂享用自助餐，切就職蛋糕。麻州參議員Nick Collins也在這時趕到會場，送上祝福。

              100多年前，中華公所是整個紐英崙地區華人社區的龍頭老大，100多年後，在時代進步，由華人主導，為社區服務的團體如雨後春筍般冒出頭來後，包括華美福利會(AACA)、波士頓華埠社區中心(BCNC)、亞美社區發展協會(ACDC)、華人前進會(CPA)

中華公所就職典禮會場。右首排為嘉賓，左首排為中華公所職員。(周菊子攝)

，各自努力，不但在波士頓市，還分別擴展進入昆士市、摩頓市等地區為民眾服務，在社區中比中華公所還更活躍，跨過百年的中華公所，在坐擁泰勒街90號，華福樓，大同村，博愛樓，以及喜露街50號等總值逾億元房地產，手中現金將達3000萬元，卻不像前述各非牟利組織有專職工作人員的現況中，將如何整頓營運，發揮更大影響力，令人期待。

中華公所董事們出席參加就職典禮，彼此笑談。 (周菊子攝)

中華公所董事們出席就職典禮。(周菊子攝)

波士頓市議員Erin Murphy (左三)代表她和Ed Flynn頒發表揚狀給中華公所。
主席雷國輝(左二)很週到的邀請司儀陳建立(中)中華公所職員們，
左起張青梅、翁宇才、余寶愛、阮鴻燦一起領取。 (周菊子攝)

波士頓市議員Erin Murphy (左二)代表她和Ed Flynn頒發表揚狀給中華公所。
主席雷國輝(左三)很週到的邀請)中華公所職員們，左起張青梅、
翁宇才、余寶愛、阮鴻燦一起領取。 (周菊子攝)

就職典禮結束後，中華公所在禮堂準備了自助餐。 (周菊子攝)

北美舜裔篤親公所總理陳建立擔任司儀，還傳師一首，送上祝福。
中華公所紐英崙，新舊交替共感恩，國徽主席來帶領，服務社區我與君
百年好合要盡心，落葉生根莫羨人，五湖四海接姊弟，承先啟後育公民

就職典禮結束後，中華公所在禮堂準備了自助餐。 (周菊子攝)

慶祝就職，中華公所準備了一個大蛋糕。(周菊子攝)

Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards $15 Million in Grants to 67 Non-Profits to Increase Economic Opportunity in Communities Across Massachusetts

Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards $15 Million in Grants to 67 Non-Profits to Increase Economic Opportunity in Communities Across Massachusetts   Community Empowerment and Reinvestment Grant Program Leverages Local Expertise to Support Programs in Areas that Face Disproportionate Challenges to Economic Growth

BOSTON – Today, the Healey-Driscoll Administration announced more than $15 million in grants to 67 organizations across the state through the Community Empowerment and Reinvestment Program (CERP), a competitive grant program that offers flexible operating grants to local collaborations for programming and projects that develop, strengthen, and invest in community economic priorities. The program aims to bring positive economic outcomes to communities that have been adversely impacted by the criminal justice system and poverty.    “Our administration is committed to making Massachusetts a state where everyone has access to economic opportunity,” said Governor Maura Healey. “The Community Empowerment and Reinvestment Program is reshaping our communities by providing resources for programs that strengthen our communities through job training, small business support, housing stability, and more. We congratulate the awardees on this hard-earned achievement and thank the Legislature for their partnership to make this funding available.”   “The Community Empowerment and Reinvestment Program plays a vital role in supporting communities that face significant barriers to economic growth in Massachusetts,” said Lieutenant Governor Driscoll. “This funding will provide assistance to organizations that are doing critical work to improve public health, support small and diverse businesses, engage with young people, provide education and workforce opportunities and so much more. This program will help strengthen our bond with local leaders to safeguard the well-being of all residents.”   “In Massachusetts, we are building an equitable economy that benefits everyone,” said Secretary of Economic Development Yvonne Hao. “This program serves as a crucial mechanism for our administration to strategically invest in the fundamentals that enable economic growth. In collaboration with local leaders, we’re aiming to enhance the livelihood of residents and businesses for years to come.”   This competitive grant program was developed to support communities with high rates of criminal justice system involvement and poverty. Project categories include community-based workforce development, small business development, housing stabilization, community health improvement, high school dropout prevention, and community organizing and leadership development.    Among these awarded projects, 37 are located in Gateway Cities. Of the 67 organizations, 33 self-identified as Minority Business Enterprises. Nearly half of the organizations funded have formerly incarcerated leadership or leadership that has been impacted by the criminal justice system.   Created in 2020, the Community Empowerment and Reinvestment Grant Program involved the establishment of a Community Empowerment Board to inform application processes and criteria. As prescribed by law, the seven-member Community Empowerment Board consists of individuals who belong to demographic groups that have been traditionally underrepresented and have historically been at social and economic disadvantages.    The full list of Community Empowerment and Reinvestment Grant Program recipients can be found here.

Governor Healey and Lieutenant Governor Driscoll Name Vilma Uribe as Executive Director of the Governor’s Council to Address Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence and Human Trafficking

 Governor Healey and Lieutenant Governor Driscoll Name Vilma Uribe as Executive Director of the Governor’s Council to Address Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence and Human Trafficking 

 

BOSTON – Governor Maura Healey and Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll today announced Vilma Uribe as Executive Director of the Governor’s Council to Address Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence and Human Trafficking (GCASADVHT). Uribe has been a Council Member since 2015, and in this new role, she will be responsible for overseeing the work done by the Council to advise the administration on strategies to prevent and protect people from these crimes and support victims and survivors. 

 

The Council is chaired by Lieutenant Governor Driscoll and puts forth recommendations to advise the Governor on how to help individuals, children, and families of Massachusetts live a life free of sexual assault, domestic violence and human trafficking. The Council’s goals are to improve prevention for all, enhance support for those impacted by sexual assault, domestic violence and human trafficking, and hold perpetrators accountable. The Council is comprised of experts from across the state and has identified priorities with accompanied subcommittees – Assessment and Response; Early Interventions for Children and Youth; Economic Mobility; Housing Stability; Human Trafficking; and Veterans, Military, and Families. The subcommittees review existing laws and programs and provide recommendations for improvement. 

 

Earlier this year, the Healey-Driscoll Administration expanded the scope of the Council, previously known as the Governor’s Council to Address Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence, to include Human Trafficking as a subcommittee given the severity and prevalence of the crime in Massachusetts. 

 

“Here in Massachusetts, we are committed to supporting and protecting survivors and taking early steps to prevent crimes in the first place,” said Governor Healey. “Vilma Uribe’s extensive experience in this field and her dedication to supporting survivors makes her a clear choice to direct this Council. I want to thank the Council members for their work and the Lieutenant Governor for chairing this important group.” 

 

"As Chair of the Governor’s Council, I know firsthand how important this work is,” said Lieutenant Governor Driscoll. “It's our responsibility as a state to work to prevent crimes and support survivors, and we are excited to see the impact Vilma will have in this new role. She has years of experience and knows the importance of working with advocates, legislators and academics to ensure that individuals and families are taken care of. I look forwarding to working with Vilma and the rest of the Council members.” 

 

“I've dedicated my career to direct service in support of survivors, and I am thrilled to take on this new role as Executive Director of the Governor’s Council to Address Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence and Human Trafficking,” said Vilma Uribe. “I believe that everyone should have the opportunity to thrive, not just survive. In this position, I'm excited about the chance to support individuals, children, and families throughout the state who have been affected by violence. But beyond that, I'm determined to take crucial steps to prevent violence from occurring in the first place.” 

 

As a Council Member, Uribe developed policy recommendations for the Governor and Lieutenant Governor related to the state’s funding, programs and best practices for the response, prevention and treatment of domestic violence and sexual assault. She also co-led the Economic Mobility Subcommittee, and developed resource mobilization strategies and policy recommendations for expanding social and economic opportunities. Prior to this role, Uribe was the Director of Policy and Systems Change Advocacy for REACH Beyond Domestic Violence, where she led advocacy strategies to support survivors while working with various stakeholders. She also supervised a full-time bilingual child and adolescent therapist, bilingual outreach and engagement manager. She has dedicated over a decade to informed trauma care and supporting survivors. She has also held several research positions that support her work. Uribe currently resides in Dorchester.