Governor Charlie Baker, joined by Lt. Governor Karyn Polito, Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Kathleen Theoharides, Senate President Karyn Spilka, House Speaker Ron Mariano, Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr and other legislators, signs comprehensive climate change legislation that codifies into law the baker-Polito Administration’s commitment to achieve Net Zero emissions in 2050 and furthers the Commonwealth’s nation-leading efforts to combat climate change and protect vulnerable communities at the State House Library on March 26, 2021. [Joshua Qualls/Governor’s Press Office]
Share, email, print, bookmark SOURCE reports.

In full transparency, the following is a press release from the Baker-Polito administration.

***


[broadstreet zone=”54526″]

BOSTON – The Baker-Polito Administration and the Children’s Investment Fund (CIF), with its affiliate the Community Economic Development Assistance Corporation (CEDAC), awarded $7.5 million in Early Education and Out of School Time Capital Fund (EEOST) capital improvement grants to 36 organizations to renovate childcare facilities that serve primarily low-income families.

Lt. Governor Karyn Polito made the announcement today, July 20, at East Boston Social Centers, a child care provider in East Boston that serves more than 300 children.   

The grants to child care centers and out-of-school time programs range from $100,000-$250,000, and this year the emphasis shifted to provide capital funding needed to address health and safety concerns related to COVID-19.

One of the organizations was the South Middlesex Opportunity Council for $250,000.

[broadstreet zone=”53230″]


 
The capital grants support major renovation and construction projects at early education and out-of-school time facilities to improve the quality of learning environments for children in Massachusetts.
 
“Our Administration is pleased to support childcare providers across the Commonwealth who have worked tirelessly throughout the COVID-19 pandemic to care for children and support families returning to work,” said Governor Charlie Baker.  “Since the start of this grant program, we’ve invested more than $39.2 million in capital funding at childcare programs that impact the learning experiences of more than 9,000 children in communities across Massachusetts.”
 
“These awards announced today – which mark the largest total amount awarded since the inception of the EEOST grants – will improve child care programs across the state,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “Now more than ever, as families return to workplaces, investments in early education and care settings are vital to provide necessary resources to children and their families through high-quality early childhood education and out-of-school time programs.”
 
The Early Education and Out of School Time capital improvement grants are financed through the state’s capital budget and provide matching funds that leverage private investment. More than $200 million in public and private investments have been leveraged throughout the life of the grant program.  The Baker-Polito Administration’s FY21 Capital Budget Plan included funding for the Early Education and Out of School Time capital improvement grant program.

[broadstreet zone=”59983″]
 
EEOST was designed to support the learning and healthy development of young children, many of whom spend more than 40 hours a week in early learning and after-school settings. Approximately 80% of the children in EEOST-funded programs are from low-income families. EEOST grants transform these learning environments so that children have safe, developmentally appropriate spaces.
 
“With these critical investments, we can help child care providers, serving low-income communities, improve their facilities in order to boost quality and provide young learners with resources to succeed in the classroom and beyond,” said Education Secretary James Peyser. “We are pleased to provide these critical resources necessary to sustain the Commonwealth’s essential childcare infrastructure.”
 
“Every child deserves the opportunity to learn in high-quality, safe, healthy, and joyous education environments,” said Early Education and Care Commissioner Samantha Aigner-Treworgy. “Well-designed classrooms and play spaces can greatly enhance early learning and support children to grow and thrive.” 
 
“This year’s grants will reach five times as many providers as last year,” said Theresa Jordan, Director of the Children’s Investment Fund, an affiliate of CEDAC.  “It is funding critical improvements needed during the COVID-19 pandemic, recognizing the enormous effort undertaken by child care providers over the past year to create safe environments for children.”


 
The following organizations received grants:

Project LocationApplicantFunding
BeverlyBeverly Children’s Learning Center$207,000
BostonKwong Kow Chinese School$146,000
BostonUnited South End Settlements$250,000
BrocktonBoys and Girls Clubs of Metro South$177,000
BrocktonFuller Arts & Sciences dba Westfield Child Center$115,000
BrocktonBrockton Day Nursery$131,000
BrocktonOld Colony YMCA$247,000
DorchesterCatholic Charities Yawkey Child Care Center$179,000
DorchesterGreenwood Shalom Outreach Community, Inc.$250,000
DudleyBoys and Girls Club of Webster-Dudley$204,000
East BostonEast Boston Social Centers$227,000
FraminghamSMOC$250,000
GloucesterPathways for Children$250,000
HaverhillYMCA of the North Shore (Haverhill YMCA)$242,000
HolyokeBoys and Girls Club of Greater Holyoke$250,000
HolyokeHolyoke YMCA$200,000
LawrenceCommunity Day Care Center of Lawrence, Inc. (d.b.a. The Community Group)$102,000
LawrenceYWCA of Northeastern Massachusetts$243,000
LynnYMCA of Metro North$186,000
LynnBoys and Girls Club of Lynn$250,000
NantucketSmall Friends on Nantucket$129,000
New BedfordPACE$250,000
New BedfordYMCA Southcoast$250,000
New BedfordWest End Day Nursery$250,000
North AdamsChild Care of the Berkshires$207,000
RevereFor Kids Only Afterschool$247,000
RoxburyHattie B. Cooper Community Center$250,000
RoxburyPaige Academy$250,000
RoxburyYMCA of Greater Boston$221,000
SomervilleElizabeth Peabody House Association$205,000
SpringfieldSpringfield Day Nursery (d.b.a Square One)$157,000
StonehamBoys and Girls Clubs of Stoneham and Wakefield$225,000
WalthamWaltham Boys and Girls Club$105,000
West SpringfieldWest Springfield Boys and Girls Club$250,000
WhitinsvilleGeorge Marston Whitin Memorial Community Association (d.b.a. The Whitin Community Center)$250,000
WorcesterYWCA of Central Massachusetts$142,000

All the programs receiving a grant award serve publicly subsidized families and have demonstrated financial need. All the grantees are non-profit corporations or organizations in which a non-profit corporation has a controlling interest. The Department of Early Education and Care partners with CEDAC’s affiliate, the Children’s Investment Fund, to administer the grants. 

[broadstreet zone=”58610″]

By editor

Susan Petroni is the former editor for SOURCE. She is the founder of the former news site, which as of May 1, 2023, is now a self-publishing community bulletin board. The website no longer has a journalist but a webmaster.