[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6291826,"mediaKeyId","2529272-154c638cc1373f6c0481c17b634c8832","parentId",2529272,"title","EEC plans employer-supported pilot and small-business supports to expand child-care capacity","audioSeconds",965,"startMs",3525000,"endMs",4490000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2529272-154c638cc1373f6c0481c17b634c8832&start=3525&end=4490","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2529272-154c638cc1373f6c0481c17b634c8832/thumbnail_3525000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6291826/Massachusetts/EEC-plans-employer-supported-pilot-and-small-business-supports-to-expand-child-care-capacity","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6291826-a5fd84ec5395d7f2a543fe6c6b829587/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181614&Signature=SG0fcM1VydYNYPXIq40MO3nUedBoOMu5Vd9bld9Bu1gyiigZwqOPbKomsi6x88YBJoU68Rtgdf10VZaLwBseNuk9RfUkE2MN3k4UBVzLuyiqt3My18paJbpxtjp54zm21fSYTv1e6Xh6yjDc1S3H7eT8H4eO2jrAXDOlVYTIAtJyJZqW1fyTWz8bAEAZZfr9t~FRGQ2gDrQuGBcT2RM3u-Qj7csr7RA1QsdzHN7A2sO~j1iNYs9C8SDb9z4OOabgrU7zIfL6xrQPL2VYuxqJn5q4xACf8~huQdKkX2NxlSHs1AOOVyWFAJaDHEAKn6JLWwmTYrukyiAWpfipBiJw8A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Department of Early Education and Care","date","2025-03-06T20:14:15Z","article","The Department of Early Education and Care said it will design an employer-supported pilot with a $2.5 million FY25 line item that requires employer matching funds, creating a $5 million pool for pilots that expand access, affordability and capacity in the early-education sector.

Gabby Santana Goldstein, EEC's employer engagement manager, described two work streams: deepening relationships with employers to co-design benefits and capacity solutions, and adapting existing small-business resources so they meet the specific needs of child-care providers. \"It is a matching program,\" she said, describing the state contribution of $2.5 million matched by employer funds to produce a $5 million total pool.

Staff described possible uses for the pilot funding, including employer resource centers to help design benefits (flex schedules, subsidies, on-site child care), tri-share models that share cost among state, employer and family (models in Iowa and Michigan were cited as examples), and targeted capacity-building that could include wage supports. The advisory discussion also emphasized adapting small-business services — tax assistance, legal support, insurance pooling and financial literacy — for family-childcare and small center operators.

Advisory members and providers offered localized suggestions. A family-childcare owner in Cambridge said technical assistance that covers one-time capital needs (for example, washers/dryers or safety equipment) and housing support or property-ownership options for family-childcare providers would strengthen sustainability. Another provider noted that certification for minority-owned businesses and access to procurement opportunities are barriers to revenue growth for some programs.

EEC staff asked advisory members for examples, contacts and ideas to inform a pilot design and said they would follow up to gather additional feedback from home-childcare networks and provider organizations.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","March 2025 - Workforce Council of Early Education and Care","oneSentenceSummary","EEC said a $2.5 million FY25 line item will fund an employer-supported pilot (with employer match) to expand capacity and affordability; staff also proposed adapting small-business supports for child-care providers.","taxTitle","Department of Early Education and Care, Executive , Massachusetts","taxId",24967,"location","Massachusetts","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6291830,"EEC: $7.5M in FY25 for loan-repayment program; applications expected in fall",389,2863000,3252000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2529272-154c638cc1373f6c0481c17b634c8832&start=2863&end=3252","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2529272-154c638cc1373f6c0481c17b634c8832/thumbnail_2863000.jpg","/articles/6291830/Massachusetts/EEC-75M-in-FY25-for-loan-repayment-program-applications-expected-in-fall","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6291830-e653875600a60abb4846bf2111cecbf8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181614&Signature=gZL-WC1rTpdyszkFUUpsq1ngU75Daz4Dr5WBHYDXpmRY5zOHRBy08JFWSt6Ah8Du~KIw4X1z36InKoceHJB~U7DQSttIy1wZBqT9-nI5bW~CEEUS~PSSx5eRB4cVosJ6NoLqGTU~vEeG34IqB~4p50lsBtx1k7QfBWA1UkB-vNIi7U9kqdwSvp-36lcW~jC78KzOXQJeASXL8tVgF7M~CsQp17T20Pw9ozHNMEhPgG3~82b-fPXyNorEg~CE3T8UtKPO-WKpHwLZHquDSKYFopsG~WdRgKdQIi4Q3p9ieHkfcWjJeCO0u181nP-~In0VSHnImXaGZEgvVM48V0wqPQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Department of Early Education and Care said the FY25 state budget includes $7.5 million to create a student loan repayment program for the early-education workforce, and that the program will be administered in partnership with the Department of Higher Education (DHE).

The commissioner told the advisory group: \"We got $7,500,000 this year in the FY 'twenty 5 budget to create a new loan repayment program for the early education and care workforce.\" EEC staff said the program criteria have been developed with DHE, the criteria were approved by the board and Department of Higher Education, and the next step is to stand up an application process and technical supports with DHE. Technical work includes building the application in Nelnet, staff said.

Officials said they expect applications to open in the coming fall and that awards will be retroactive to July 1, 2024. The agency noted the program is likely to attract high demand and that DHE plans to distribute funds until they are exhausted.

Separately, EEC staff said the agency is expanding higher-education scholarship eligibility and that the scholarship program will open April 1 for the next academic cycle; staff described the scholarship and loan repayment eligibility as aligned so a broader range of educator roles (including home visitors and related educator types) can participate. \"We were able to work with the Department of Higher Ed this past year and expand eligibility, to a much broader range of educator types,\" an agency official said.

EEC said details about exact award amounts per recipient were part of the program materials being finalized and were not specified in the advisory session; officials emphasized communications and outreach plans once the application portal is ready.","EEC said the FY25 budget includes $7.5 million for a student loan repayment program for the early-education workforce, to be administered with the Department of Higher Education; applications are expected this fall and benefits will be retroactive to July 1, 2024.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6291836,"EEC outlines credentialing pathway, educator portal and regional salary workgroups",1141,1725000,2866000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2529272-154c638cc1373f6c0481c17b634c8832&start=1725&end=2866","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2529272-154c638cc1373f6c0481c17b634c8832/thumbnail_1725000.jpg","/articles/6291836/Massachusetts/EEC-outlines-credentialing-pathway-educator-portal-and-regional-salary-workgroups","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6291836-06df8abd22245c1d2e9ca9e6c23824e2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181614&Signature=TLflic4oFHZjN5caSdCi742AZDGcQ6qt5tYGldqbVhwqdyhqcc3waV7he2WjbLno1hAtxd0LOhOZNHlWw4VIItfu692GmREVQaEGY8lpJgwDPtNCPNAHf~IcfFRcdUCNBzKNra8nR8dshKKUlOGXiQ35pcEG33rOnKeM6phV01TL~DqIkjwZGwx861Z~n3aBeGTAxLh2KNo~6rQtrUdblDNjMFFc6W4pVssu9Em25KwrMStaVHl67HyCnDySsbzQQI9LjZ8QjBk~B~8FyiJwyb3bkaxCyylqX~Yerk4W~t7HHN5TNDORI5qgvBETDm5KiDpA1SSGsxHMrTmM07ME-w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Department of Early Education and Care officials said work continues on a new credentialing pathway for early educators that is intended to create clearer professional advancement, align training and higher-education pathways, and enable future compensation structures.

EEC staff said the credential project has two parallel pathways — a professional-development track tied to training and a higher-education track tied to certificates and degrees — and that the agency is developing an educator portal to manage credentials and verifications. \"We are also working with AIR on a salary scale, which is in development at the same time,\" a staff member leading the credential work said, describing the salary-scale analysis as an input to cost-model conversations.

Why it matters: EEC officials said the credential is meant to modernize an “outdated” certification system, make advancement pathways clearer for educators and include family childcare and out-of-school-time programs in the same system while allowing program-type differences. Staff described ongoing working groups that meet with program types to co-design credential components, verification processes and regional considerations for compensation.

Key points from the advisory discussion included: the credential will consider administrative roles that sometimes occur early in family-childcare settings; staff emphasized the importance of recognizing prior learning and avoiding administrative burdens that might exclude existing workers; the credential work is coordinating with registered-apprenticeship standards and institutions of higher education; and the agency expects to produce a minimum viable product for the educator portal within months.

EEC staff also reported that salary-scale work is being discussed as regional and possibly more granular than the agency’s existing regions, with attendees suggesting ranges rather than single fixed numbers to reflect differences in center size, hours of operation and local labor markets. Staff said they plan broader public discussion and will return with a more substantial update to the board in May.

The credential team invited providers and advisory members to participate in working groups and sign up for future sessions focused on roles, salary scale, verification and cost-model issues.","EEC staff described progress on a new credential for early educators, plans for an educator portal and working groups to inform a regional salary scale and verification process.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6291841,"EEC adds workforce and program measures to public KPIs dashboard",777,917000,1694000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2529272-154c638cc1373f6c0481c17b634c8832&start=917&end=1694","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2529272-154c638cc1373f6c0481c17b634c8832/thumbnail_917000.jpg","/articles/6291841/Massachusetts/EEC-adds-workforce-and-program-measures-to-public-KPIs-dashboard","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6291841-5ec42ca2b309ba8c4c1cd8ce2410de38/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181614&Signature=B0tGJ~SV~2bJ6Koy1C8DrrQqH2YVykUz8INAuMz~A54O~vJdyRW867DISReiVqdo~APQd4uo5tppfP3OE~iuVw7oytRQqNHAmc6aya16ptZCZ5c38IHJydvAF7QQRffHbJiPLNu0IalnY51r58mrzWRnbE04UgryshtQTEJ~s-q5aOFciiroN11MRrxwu7HaWXTYw9hgu0Jb8tOg4JQy4rhV2I6RXZRdliqKPVfNi9SmOTjIY9gyH1btHgo7qJbkuC2V0BFMSZW0B6amHnf-uontT3zNrYFt0lWdXWxwnOW2GFDFXP6DxUlEI7pglpQoJsLgb6J98aIrESMvlSmH6w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) said it has expanded its public key performance indicator dashboards to add workforce filters, new program participation measures and residential placement data, and that the agency will update the dashboards monthly.

Agency officials said the updated dashboard now shows educator wage averages by role with regional filters, the percent of programs participating in Child Care Financial Assistance (CCFA) and new information about licensed residential-placement programs. Adrienne Murphy, senior director of data analytics at EEC, told the advisory group: \"We update the data in the dashboard monthly,\" and said the agency added region filters and new visuals in February.

Why it matters: The dashboards are intended to increase transparency about supply and demand in early education and care, provide data for local planning and let providers, employers and policymakers track changes in participation, capacity and wages over time. Murphy said the wage metric currently uses data from the Commonwealth Cares for Children (C3) application process and has limitations; she urged users to offer feedback as the agency builds toward an educator portal that could provide more granular data.

Dashboard highlights offered to the advisory group included a new visual for the percent of licensed programs participating in CCFA, which EEC said rose from about 50% to about 70% after recent years of outreach and contract work. The dashboard also provides CCFA caseload figures disaggregated by subsidy type, program openings and closings, and program capacity over time, officials said. The agency combines U.S. Census data with internal data sources to estimate the proportion of children statewide and regionally served by formal early education and care programs.

EEC staff asked the advisory group to help spread awareness of the dashboards to practitioners in the field and to send suggestions to the analytics team. \"Amy put our team email address, and it's also on the dashboard. If folks have questions or feedback long after this meeting, happy to take it via email as well,\" the commissioner said.

The dashboard and contact information are available on EEC's website; officials encouraged advisory members to submit requests for additional metrics, filters and uses cases as the agency iterates the tools.","The Department of Early Education and Care said it expanded its public key performance indicator dashboards to include new workforce filters, program participation metrics and residential-placement data and is updating the dashboards monthly.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

EEC plans employer-supported pilot and small-business supports to expand child-care capacity

EEC: $7.5M in FY25 for loan-repayment program; applications expected in fall

EEC outlines credentialing pathway, educator portal and regional salary workgroups

EEC adds workforce and program measures to public KPIs dashboard