MA Department of Early Education and Care

1 in 5 girls miss school due to lack of access to menstrual products. Thanks to The Wonderfund for hosting the 3rd Annual Period Party to empower and support DCF-engaged youth by providing the tools and education to feel cared for, clean and confident during their period. EEC women joined other volunteers along with Governor Maura Healey, Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll, Wonderfund Executive Director and former Massachusetts First Lady, Lauren Baker, and DCF Commissioner Staverne Miller, to help pack thousands of period kits. Learn more about Wonderfund at wonderfundma.org

Happy 5-year anniversary to the Strategies for Children 9:30 Call! A way to stay in touch during the pandemic has evolved into sustained community-building and connection within the #EarlyEducationAndCare field across the state. Team EEC was thrilled to join the energetic call this morning with so many partners, leaders, and experts this morning. Let's stay together and keep the momentum going ?? To join the call mailing list, sign up here: https://ow.ly/V95n50VjvGI

ICYMI: The Healey-Driscoll Administration released a report last week with recommendations to make #EarlyEducation and #ChildCare more accessible and affordable for all families in Massachusetts. The 30+ recommendations were crafted by the Inter-Agency Early Education and Child Care Task Force, established last year to emphasize the essential role child care plays in driving the state’s economy. Learn more at https://lnkd.in/e2ScJK5b

Interested in navigating the licensing process to open family child care? EEC is offering a free 20-week pilot program in collaboration with United Way, the SEIU Education & Support Fund, and Family Services of Central Mass. Recruiting now through 3/30. Register for the first info session next Tuesday, 3/25 at 7 p.m. https://ow.ly/i4is50Vj3eZ

Live from Plymouth EDTV with the Husky TV crew at Manomet Elementary School where EEC Commissioner Amy Kershaw had the pleasure of being interviewed last week by three up-and-coming reporters, Piper, Lewis and Kennedy. Learn more about Plymouth's program that encourages students to create engaging media through education, communication and entertainment: PlymouthEDTV.com ????

As part of #CivicLearningWeek, we were excited to spend time at Manomet Elementary School alongside Secretary Tutwiler, Sen. Dylan Fernandes, Rep. Michelle Badger, CFRE and Plymouth school officials including a visit to Ms. Breen’s amazing preschool classroom! The Commonwealth Preschool Partnership Initiative (CPPI) is supporting expanded access to preschool across the district. The letter of the week is A and we joined the students to learn through jumping, singing and dancing ?? #EarlyLiteracyInAction

Thank you to Ellis Early Learning for hosting us for the release of the first report from the Healy-Driscoll Administration's Inter-Agency Early Education and Child Care Task Force. We had a terrific panel moderated by EEC Board Chair Paul Belsito, alongside Task Force Co-Chairs, EOE Secretary Tutwiler, EOED?Secretary Hao,?and EOLWD Secretary Jones. Building on input from hundreds of educators, parents, directors, advocates, and business leaders across the state, the report identifies over 30 actionable efforts that reinforce the state's commitment to access, affordability, equity and quality in #ChildCare. Thank you to our partners across state government for bringing your ideas, resources and innovations to the table. Let’s get to work! Learn more at https://lnkd.in/e2ScJK5b Aaron Michlewitz Alice Peisch Jake Oliveira Massachusetts Executive Office of Education Massachusetts Executive Office of Economic Development (EOED) The Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development (EOLWD) Massachusetts Executive Office of Administration and Finance Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs Massachusetts Department of Transportation Executive Office of Technology Services and Security Executive Office of Veterans Services (EOVS) Executive Office of Public Safety and Security Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services

The YMCA of Greater Boston teamed up with the Massachusetts Division of Apprentice Standards to launch a Massachusetts Registered Apprenticeship program in the Early Childhood Education. This partnership not only helps meet the growing need for quality childcare in the Greater Boston area but also offers individuals structured pathway to become certified early childhood educators. Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://lnkd.in/e8sySy9X

New grant opportunity for early childhood programs from the Mass Cultural Council: One-year grants of $2,500 or $5,000 for organizations that support activities in the arts, humanities, and sciences that invite public participation, spark engagement, and contribute to the vitality of our communities. Join the virtual info session tomorrow at 11 a.m. by registering here: https://ow.ly/24AH50Vg3iK

Join the Central Mass Professional Development Center (PDC) at the Marlborough Public Library to mingle with other program directors, have breakfast and share ideas, templates, and formats for all things document-related. Register here (50 max): https://ow.ly/aGKN50Vg2JN