Advocates urge fast childcare vouchers and automatic early-intervention referrals for children entering shelter

Kristen McSwain, director of the City of Boston’s Office of Early Childhood, told the Joint Committee on Children and Families and Persons with Disabilities that House Bill 215 would expedite care for children whose families enter emergency shelter. "In an average year, there are approximately 600 young children in shelters within the city of Boston," McSwain said, and long waits for childcare vouchers and evaluations undermine families’ ability to find housing and work.

Witnesses described operational gaps that the bill would address: automatic childcare-voucher eligibility on intake and a requirement that children aged 0–3 who enter shelter be referred for early-intervention (EI) screening within 30 days. "When families seek shelter, it can take approximately 30 days for a family to receive childcare vouchers," McSwain said, adding that the delay often prevents parents from securing employment or stable housing.

Shelter providers and early-education organizations said the measures are evidence‑based and would reduce later costs. Elizabeth Walsh of Horizons described screening and referral barriers in shelters and said a consistent referral pathway and a single responsible agency would increase enrollment in EI and improve developmental outcomes. A parent who lived in shelter testified that receiving a childcare voucher allowed her to pursue education and improved her child’s access to needed services.

Supporters framed the bill as both a child‑development and an anti‑poverty measure. "This bill expedites access to childcare and early intervention, which we know many of these children will need," said Laura Perrill of Nurturee Early Education, which serves families across Boston and surrounding municipalities.

The proponents urged the committee to report H215 favorably and noted the bill’s intent is to align shelter intake with existing services such as Head Start and local provider networks. The hearing produced no committee action; members heard the testimony and asked for written submissions and follow-up information.

Next steps: The committee will consider the written testimony and may hold subsequent deliberations or send the bill out of committee for floor debate.