State Awards $7.5 Million in Grants for Facilities Development to Increase Quality in Early Education Programs - January 8, 2015

For more information contact:
Kathleen Hart
Department of Early Education and Care
617-988-7819
kathleen.hart@massmail.state.ma.us
 
For Immediate Release: Monday, January 5, 2015
 
STATE AWARDS $7.5 MILLION IN GRANTS FOR FACILITIES DEVELOPMENT TO INCREASE QUALITY IN EARLY EDUCATION PROGRAMS
 
BOSTON – The Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) and the Community Economic Development Assistance Corporation (CEDAC) today announced $7.5 million in grant awards statewide to support early education program facilities development and improvements that provide higher quality environments and settings for young children.  Ten agencies serving nine communities across the state have been selected for awards.
 
A 2011 study on the condition of the facilities in which early childhood and out-of-school time centers in Massachusetts operate found that deficiencies in the buildings impacted the quality of teaching and learning, and recommended the development of a sustainable source of public capital to help non-profit providers serving children living in low income communities improve their facilities.  In 2013, An Act Financing the Production and Preservation of Housing for Low and Moderate Income Residents established a capital fund for grants to support facilities development and improvement of large group and school age early education programs licensed by the Department of Early Education and Care.
 
"It is well established through research that environments influence the architecture of a child's developing brain, so having program spaces that facilitate positive experiences for children is critical," said Early Education and Care Commissioner Tom Weber.  "The planned facility developments will modernize spaces, improve the efficiency of systems, and provide better environments for the children that support their optimum growth and learning."
 
“Spaces designed for learning are essential to high quality early childhood education, which the Commonwealth of Massachusetts recognized by establishing the Early Education and Care and Out-of-School Time Capital Fund,” said Roger Herzog, CEDAC’s executive director. “Communities and neighborhoods are strengthened when families have access to quality affordable housing and child care.  Each of these organizations is committed to providing a learning space for the children they serve, and CEDAC is looking forward to working with them to help make their vision become a reality.  We are also excited by the opportunity to use our deep experience working with non-profit community development and early education organizations to support the state and EEC in this vital new program.”
 
The grant awards will support facilities development and improvements in large group and school age early education and care programs that lead to higher program quality settings for over 1,300 children, increased capacity to serve an additional 231 children, and the creation of 160 jobs during the grant period.  All of the programs selected to receive a grant award serve publicly subsidized families, have demonstrated financial need, and have secured additional funding to pay for a portion of their project costs.
 
"I am very pleased with the Department of Early Education and Care's grant announcements for capital improvements to early education centers for children across Massachusetts, which represents yet another example of Governor Patrick's investments in education," said State Senator Jamie Eldridge (D-Acton). "One of my proudest accomplishments this session was working with Rep. Kevin Honan to add funding for early education centers in the $1.4 billion affordable housing bond bill, which makes possible these kinds of investments in the lives of children at a critical early age."
 
“Increasing the quality and capacity of these facilities will help more parents sustain employment and complete their education,” said State Representative Kevin Honan of Brighton. “The path to self-sufficiency begins with stability, and these programs provide consistency for both parents and children which allow families to thrive.”
 
“I am proud to have been the lead legislative sponsor of this program that will ensure that the Commonwealth’s investment in children’s lives and in economic development go hand in hand,” said State Senator Sal DiDomenico. “This important grant program is one of the first steps in acknowledging the importance of educating all our children in physical environments that support healthy development and learning.”
 
“In these tough economic times, many families throughout the Commonwealth feel the strain of having to choose between paying rent, and paying for the everyday costs of raising a family," said State Representative Jeffrey Sanchez.  "These resources will help move Massachusetts families forward."
 
The legislation that established the capital fund provided $45 million in general obligation bond funding over five years.  Up to $8 million was available for this budget period.  Twenty organizations submitted requests for funding that totaled over $17 million combined.  The applicants selected for a grant award demonstrated sound feasibility of project, readiness for implementation, and likely potential for long-term sustainability and success.
 
The grantees and their award amounts are listed below:

All grantees are tax-exempt non-profit corporations or organizations in which a non-profit corporation has a controlling interest.
 
The Department of Early Education and Care partnered with CEDAC's affiliate, the Children's Investment Fund, to administer the grant awards.
 
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