[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-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",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_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",6202105,"mediaKeyId","3787852-01546108d8ec5fe2006e47bad3c24758","parentId",3787852,"title","EEC board adopts final CCFA rule to raise eligibility to 85% of state median income","audioSeconds",354,"startMs",2478000,"endMs",2832000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3787852-01546108d8ec5fe2006e47bad3c24758&start=2478&end=2832","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3787852-01546108d8ec5fe2006e47bad3c24758/thumbnail_2478000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6202105/Massachusetts/EEC-board-adopts-final-CCFA-rule-to-raise-eligibility-to-85-of-state-median-income","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6202105-1ca708bf1e2c7ae40a2b82853302c811/orig.mp4?Expires=1771183816&Signature=n0~7q~QpxRsCIsagMepALeNwuQLYaWmCEEpu28RF2a070SpgthKkEwSaZ4-o8YPrDgTGWTupgy9StSYtqVbe~IoblH0M-2yJxeZgo36sA8cirGuCD4HzzvXtkiIR9e~AXpfleNavKD5q~Gr13KKmheC2AiJ17AYcoR8ww353YDcky~9GIQUucuhPwrCgH3NlpsXSlhi9TYiOVWjupFvrGpnamOE7GqLwTKD3Vx1iVU6lMxzC6mmsGt37wVL5IuGaafvosCCbRpTooAePx5E2V18NxKEMpqFmaGnJwVIE5C5RCOWRI8BNHDZ3-74iyHGu7SSNX~FKNjezDG1atwT0Wg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Department of Early Education and Care","date","2025-06-12T07:32:05Z","article","The Board of Early Education and Care voted to approve final amendments to the Child Care Financial Assistance (CCFA) regulations and authorized the commissioner to file the changes with the Secretary of the Commonwealth for publication in the Massachusetts Register.

The move implements statutory language from the FY25 budget and codifies several administrative policies, most notably raising initial eligibility for CCFA from 50% to 85% of state median income. Board members were told the changes will be effective Jan. 1, 2026.

The revisions also clarify priority-access categories — including families experiencing domestic violence, homelessness and disability — so that those categories are explicitly described as equal in status rather than ordered; they codify current practice excluding certain Social Security benefits from income calculation; and they simplify documentation rules for students taking accelerated college coursework.

Rob Orthmann, deputy general counsel, described the purpose of the public comment-driven edits: \"We are clarifying the definition of an intentional program violation...to better align with our federal regulations,\" and noted the priority-access adjustments were intended to reflect legislative intent that categories be equal.

Tyrese Nicholas, deputy commissioner for family access and engagement, told the board the department had held an online public forum and reviewed six written comments; several technical suggestions from the field were incorporated into the final text. The board packet states the agency will continue annual program reviews to reduce administrative burden and improve language access.

Chair Velsito moved that \"the Board of Early Education Care...hereby approves 606 CMR 10, the proposed final amended CCFA regulations, and authorizes the commissioner of the early education care to file the proposed final amended regulations with the Secretary of the Commonwealth for publication in the Massachusetts Register.\" The motion passed on an affirmative voice vote.

The action implements a key element of the governor's “Gateway to Pre-K” agenda, agency leaders said, and was presented as part of a broader push to increase affordability and access while improving administrative systems ahead of January 2026 implementation.

The board did not set a later effective-date amendment in the meeting; the department will proceed with the filing and then begin the operational work — updating application materials, training staff and notifying providers — needed to implement the new eligibility thresholds and technical clarifications.

Notes: the board stated the department had solicited and reviewed public comment in accordance with Chapter 30A and that the filing follows General Law Chapter 15D procedures.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Early Education and Care - June 11, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Board of Early Education and Care voted to approve final amendments to CCFA regulations and authorized the commissioner to file them with the Secretary of the Commonwealth for publication.","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},6202086,"EEC begins major overhaul of residential regulations; public comment and training planned",1820,5090000,6910000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3787852-01546108d8ec5fe2006e47bad3c24758&start=5090&end=6910","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3787852-01546108d8ec5fe2006e47bad3c24758/thumbnail_5090000.jpg","/articles/6202086/Massachusetts/EEC-begins-major-overhaul-of-residential-regulations-public-comment-and-training-planned","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6202086-964e00174cad4c184188ffc92f6922bb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771183816&Signature=UGkw862XSkc0h6VznV-HSAelIDZkc-ZMGS52sQHzvUI1p2WG4MshGukhHcxRDn2z4j1QLM-ySrUazZlXlLBT9BxVZrcPY6sL6KMY30FTCXmnLtH36zASi2asWGQdDNEG~IFAHFXGccAkqu9IkpQ6It8Y5IkM9YjmaDwUECmkdRuBa3hF4T0Y9rkIGsV4dILIkUhf5XdqkxJ9gq6-SKalV-dvtiRPdByvuwyxtczaVTorAtYUgGPZ4miSSLAdmuZUiB36RHESd7DzIeGP33oj2p8zVyY2ZRYfFDFSEoxNQVVqysd-K5YhlsN-WPJC6WW7PkvdMheHeEtzcqV92UwslQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Department of Early Education and Care told the board it is undertaking a comprehensive revision of the regulations that govern residential programs and group homes, a project staff said has not had a substantive overhaul since the mid-1990s.

Deputy Commissioner Joe Rucker, Director Tim Keane and supervisors leading the project said the review will update language and practices to reflect trauma-informed, culturally responsive care, clarify behavior-support standards (including time-out and separation), and add guidance on surveillance-camera use and public posting of licensing history while balancing privacy and safety concerns.

Rucker said the department performed a multi-year review of other states’ rules and federal best practices, convened interagency partners (including the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Department of Children and Families, Department of Mental Health, the Office of the Child Advocate, and the Office for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing) and met with providers across the Commonwealth. He described the objectives as reducing outdated terminology, improving alignment among agencies, and strengthening protections for children while avoiding unintended workforce or funding burdens for providers.

Staff emphasized workforce limits and cautioned against rules that would exacerbate staffing shortages; they said they will look for regulatory approaches that raise practice standards while enabling on-the-job training and career pathways rather than imposing immediate, unfunded personnel mandates. Minimum-hiring and training requirements will be restructured for clarity; current training-hour requirements were described as a 24-hour annual baseline for full-time staff, with more specific topic recommendations to be clarified in policy or companion guidance.

On surveillance cameras, staff said programs commonly use cameras but the regulations currently lack guidance. EEC will consult providers, DESE and other partners to craft rules that address public posting, transparency and recordkeeping while protecting resident privacy and safety.

Rucker said staff intend to present a redlined draft of proposed regulatory changes to the board in September, to open a roughly 90-day public comment period in the fall, and to seek promulgation and an implementation phase that includes training for licensors and providers. The department’s target for promulgation and implementation is late 2025 to 2026; staff underscored that detailed timelines will depend on interagency coordination and the public-comment record.

Board members praised the outreach approach and urged attention to family engagement and transition planning; they also asked staff to track unfunded-mandate risks and to provide granular data on workforce implications for any minimum-hire or training changes. The board offered support for the department’s plan to surface clearer, more accessible regulations accompanied by policy guidance and training.","EEC staff told the board they are drafting a comprehensive update to residential and group-home regulations — an overhaul not meaningfully undertaken since the 1990s — to modernize behavior-support language, camera and transparency policies, and cross-agency alignment.",{"_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},6202091,"EEC outlines C3 adjustments, timeline for formula and workforce expectations",484,2906000,3390000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3787852-01546108d8ec5fe2006e47bad3c24758&start=2906&end=3390","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3787852-01546108d8ec5fe2006e47bad3c24758/thumbnail_2906000.jpg","/articles/6202091/Massachusetts/EEC-outlines-C3-adjustments-timeline-for-formula-and-workforce-expectations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6202091-c04ffcbcd5f7215ab922aaf8ac6546ec/orig.mp4?Expires=1771183816&Signature=mH9XsLH1RDNLoy1uaOylSLBvBSUwD4QY8nSGbz9DrkiB9rZrVGw5Ah~lyFNZihFMd7BSonDVhmeCBGzNvqA8T6eA7Km~QSWRZx2~f5krjtu6ZTIQV3syu2A1DbWqnU0nQJwUvQ0lbqyjBrvSdR5RTufg4UEUVwyzVrukFZowFH7RyrqGm3MxCw0o0CmUuL6aB7by03CVwTsww4IL-NWkecLGd48OB6G8Pd6PxGQ74Xh35byyvs1~Z8wm4MxnO15nclNbN09ePSdt1OLrjABapXXSvFkbY4t0m-mo92QdZhV9PvLwp8fC60PMmDr4i-igHzB8ZTi9xuKlSe6u1j2gXg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Department staff updated the Board of Early Education and Care on the Commonwealth Cares for Children (C3) program, current field feedback and next steps for a formal funding formula required by new statute.

Jocelyn Bowne’s team noted that C3 — which the department has been transitioning from federal pandemic stabilization to a permanent state program — is level-funded at $475 million in FY26 proposals. Staff said they are being cautious about immediate, large changes to preserve program stability while working to refine eligibility, fund-use expectations and the equity adjustment formula.

Ellen Zong, childcare operations and financing strategy specialist, said statute now requires programs receiving C3 to demonstrate a willingness to enroll children with Child Care Financial Assistance (CCFA). EEC plans to add an attestation to the C3 application stating that programs will accept CCFA children if space exists; staff said existing data show 69% of C3 programs already participate in CCFA and 83% of nonparticipating programs indicated they were willing or undecided about participating.

The department is also considering stronger expectations that a portion of C3 funding be used for workforce compensation. Staff presented survey data showing most center-based programs already invest more than 50% of C3 funds in payroll and benefits; they proposed a 50% workforce-investment benchmark for fund use, noting a minority (about 155 programs in the center-based dataset) would need to change fund allocations to meet that benchmark.

Staff described equity-adjustment options: redefining some municipalities (for example, gateway cities) as uniformly low-opportunity rather than relying solely on census-tract-level COI (Concentrated Opportunity Index) calculations; creating graduated adjustments within Tier 2 so programs receive different adjustments based on the share of CCFA or non-CCFA scholarship children they serve; and incorporating private scholarship and employer-sponsored tuition supports into the equity calculation.

The department also plans ongoing data collection — monthly recertifications, expanded November/May questionnaires and biannual workforce and expenditure surveys — to inform formula refinements. A formal formula is required by statute; EEC staff said they plan to bring a redlined proposal to the board this fall, open it for public comment and seek board action for promulgation before the end of the calendar year, with changes for FY26 to be cost-neutral given current budget assumptions.

Board members pressed for clarity on which programs would need to shift expenditures to meet a 50% workforce benchmark and requested more granular data on the 155 programs below the 50% threshold. Staff said they may call the board into session over the summer to meet statutory timelines and to ensure adequate public engagement during the regulatory process.","EEC staff updated the board on Commonwealth Cares for Children (C3), reviewed field feedback on the equity adjustment and announced that statute now requires programs receiving C3 to attest willingness to enroll children with CCFA; the department will propose a formal formula for public comment and seek board action this fall.",{"_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},6202096,"EEC staff brief board on FY26 budget variations; fair-share funds and C3 remain central",476,1739000,2215000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3787852-01546108d8ec5fe2006e47bad3c24758&start=1739&end=2215","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3787852-01546108d8ec5fe2006e47bad3c24758/thumbnail_1739000.jpg","/articles/6202096/Massachusetts/EEC-staff-brief-board-on-FY26-budget-variations-fair-share-funds-and-C3-remain-central","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6202096-58d14a0c35c8aa894234c3b0b074320d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771183816&Signature=JYs0sCBOI4GP7HVBOiNiIdBfRNt~rwAYvUuPIlCaUvY4KXXIvFjH0bTwJrU42GliS2~HgsqbVewzomVsP-sIqzXOGu46~BPyWEwO8wUOun4Aipscr14BMG2wniBUVp7zYVLlINwDZAOlUkDnpjgTEj05PC24BisQYu4IsK-3C5g9Yqx1s6lBWGHLd-C9V0rWNfJT6wd8hHSwPqlG4xDbdzQ3DgFQQH7iXgXwRA3VfZ~mVbCHfFgIlObyJqljX6mYDZnisZpK~a2gXCmyzTowcff1ty4uHl5Lz76RI6weiOcE4FejG8gXxXtTrhpY4UroryD0LM8iii-DkLLpu8KUQA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Department of Early Education and Care finance staff briefed the board on FY26 budget proposals from the governor, the House and the Senate and the supplemental fair-share allocations that will affect the department’s line items.

Eric Hansen, EEC chief financial officer, summarized that the governor’s FY26 package proposed continued investments in CPPI planning grants, maintaining CCFA caseload funding and sustaining C3 at $475 million. The Senate largely mirrored House 1 funding across major line items but made several notable adjustments: it added $1.5 million for state Head Start grants (raising that line from $18.5 million to $20 million), reduced Reach Out and Read by $750,000–$1 million and restored $2 million in operational funding to EEC’s administrative account that had been earmarked in the House plan.

Hansen explained that FY26 proposals divide funding between the general fund and ongoing fair-share revenue, and said the agency will closely monitor differences between the chambers that will be resolved in conference committee. He noted that the Senate’s version includes more fund splits across general and fair-share dollars for several EEC programs.

Commissioner Kershaw told board members the department is paying particular attention to the administrative line item (to support EEC staff and infrastructure), to CPPI implementation, and to caseload funding so the department can continue serving children in childcare financial assistance; she confirmed that FY25 supplemental action resolved outstanding FY25 payment issues and that the Early Education Care scholarship program is now online.

The board received the presentation for discussion; no formal vote was requested or taken. EEC staff said they will continue to track the conference committee process and report back when the final FY26 General Appropriations Act is negotiated and filed with the governor.","EEC CFO and staff reviewed differences among the governor’s, House and Senate FY26 budget proposals, highlighted the role of fair-share supplemental funds and noted that Commonwealth Cares for Children (C3) is level-funded across proposals; staff flagged areas the agency will monitor in conference committee negotiations.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6202101,"Walker presents early childhood mental health consultation work to EEC board in Needham",284,345000,629000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3787852-01546108d8ec5fe2006e47bad3c24758&start=345&end=629","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3787852-01546108d8ec5fe2006e47bad3c24758/thumbnail_345000.jpg","/articles/6202101/Massachusetts/Walker-presents-early-childhood-mental-health-consultation-work-to-EEC-board-in-Needham","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6202101-d678588a098406c519d117f5c4179af9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771183816&Signature=Fn2hvRimPI1-4yUaO66KC-1ZGW77aWKHuSRYuZI0BVutJTqb~86ieJdlmT3PE8S9tzAx4g91CGU5TV2t1TcZn6BX-xWmxPvVvbvVx2MNKm3ukYjk6HQk1g-RoZFFCOzUZFVJbfmugX5vTBJlMCOUr4bl~hdGKJcTlBIAOwxht7wOoOt1iVi6m9h9MQ-8BtXwPpRVGIj9S2eOGmJRY5tourpuQZ5CwQ0shwntgjBaMW1oghgQLKaxImZ1tP8rbDbCxknDG7AV~5LWrmObtSKeX3MDAV1sSG0LsIyKLkYsTU293CT2OllF9YjQQhIFOICDTZzbQRTD41lFfsDmdOBggg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Walker Therapeutic representatives described their Metro Boston Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (ECMHC) work to the Board of Early Education and Care during the board’s meeting at Walker’s Needham campus.

Jake Murray, chief external affairs officer at Walker, and Amber Kuehl, senior director of early childhood mental health services, told the board that Walker joined the statewide ECMHC network in October 2023 and has trained and served educators and programs across Metro Boston.

Murray said Walker \"supports children, youth, young adults, families, and communities facing mental health, emotional, developmental, and learning challenges\" and that the organization partners with the Department of Early Education and Care to license residential treatment and to assess needs for therapeutic preschool services. Amber Kuehl summarized the case for consultation work: \"One in four young children now show signs of social emotional delays...Referrals for early childhood mental health support have increased by 35 percent since 2020, and over half of early educators are reporting burnout,\" she said.

Kuehl told the board the Walker ECMHC grant has allowed the organization to train more than 500 participants on trauma, grief, regulation and the Pyramid Model; to deliver 800 individual services from 125 referrals; and to support 53 programs, 41 classrooms and 68 children. She said providers report feeling \"more confident, more prepared, more connected to the children in their care.\"

Board and agency leaders thanked Walker for hosting the meeting and noted the partnership’s role in exploring therapeutic preschool models and in statewide efforts to expand early childhood social-emotional supports. Commissioner Kershaw and other board members emphasized that the ECMHC work complements EEC’s broader priorities on workforce and program quality.

The presentation included a tour of Walker’s facilities and an acknowledgement from Walker’s leadership of partnerships with DESE, community-based organizations and child care centers. Board members said they will carry the site visit experience into later regulatory discussions about residential care and therapeutic services.

The board did not take formal action on Walker’s presentation; the session was informational and intended to ground subsequent regulatory and program work.","Walker Therapeutic and its Metro Boston Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation program described training and services to Early Education and Care board members, citing increased referrals and educator burnout and reporting early program metrics from a 2023 start date.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

EEC board adopts final CCFA rule to raise eligibility to 85% of state median income

EEC begins major overhaul of residential regulations; public comment and training planned

EEC outlines C3 adjustments, timeline for formula and workforce expectations

EEC staff brief board on FY26 budget variations; fair-share funds and C3 remain central

Walker presents early childhood mental health consultation work to EEC board in Needham