Fiscal Year 2025 State Budget
Governor Healey signs budget into law
After much deliberation, the legislative conference committee released its budget for fiscal year 2025 on Friday July 19. Click the following links for the full budget document, line item summary and outside section summary.
Your advocacy has paid off! This budget invests more than $1.5 billion in high-quality early education and care by: sustaining C3 grants at $475 million, and funding workforce development, preschool expansion (CPPI), child care waitlist reduction, child care affordability, Head Start, and more.
On July 19 the Legislature passed the budget, and on July 29 Governor Maura Healey signed the budget into law, continuing our progress in building a high-quality early education system for young children, families, educators, and communities. Please take a moment to thank legislative leaders and thank Governor Healey.
See below for more information about specific early education and care line items, and view outside sections relating to early education and care. For more analysis, read Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation's summary of the conference committee budget.
Contact SFC Deputy Director Titus DosRemedios if you would like more information, and check this webpage for future updates and advocacy opportunities.
EEC Administration (3000-1000)
FY22 Conference Committee and Final Budget: $7,069,823
[includes $200,000 for a Cape and Islands early education needs assessment, $50,000 for Nurtury, Inc., $100,000 for More Than Words, Inc., $25,000 for East End House, $250,000 for Jumpstart, and $50,000 for Square One]
FY23 Conference Committee and Final Budget (GAA):
$12,201,537 [includes includes $5 million for additional navigation support and outreach to families, $100,000 for More than Words in Boston, $25,000 for Child Care of the Berkshires, $60,000 for Acre Family Child Care in Lowell, $350,000 for Jumpstart for Young Children, $25,000 for East End House in Cambridge,
and $50,000 for Springfield Day Nursery] For language on subsidy payment based on enrollment, see 3000-3060 and 3000-4060.
FY24 Conference Committee and Final Budget: $12,426,537 [language includes $50,000 for the Elizabeth Peabody House Association in Somerville; $35,000 for the Hyde Square Task Force, Inc. for creative development and community engagement programs; $100,000 for More Than Words, Inc. for a job training program for youth and young parents; $50,000 for capital improvements for the Haskins facility of Child Care of the Berkshires, Inc.; $50,000 for For Kids Only Afterschool, Incorporated for a pilot workforce development program to support programming for low-income and at-risk children and educators; $450,000 for Jumpstart for Young Children, Inc. to support evidence-based early childhood education programs that promote language, literacy and social emotional skill development for preschool children from underserved communities; and $100,000 for the city of Boston to provide infant mental health endorsement training for early education and care providers]
FY25 Governor: $12,189,926
FY25 HWM: $32,068,027 includes $10,000,000 for an early education and care educator scholarship program and $10,000,000 for an early education and care educator loan forgiveness program (see outside section 17).
FY25 House Final: $40,218,027 includes $10,000,000 for an early education and care educator scholarship program and $10,000,000 for an early education and care educator loan forgiveness program (see outside section 17). Amended to include $100,000 for the young parents program at More Than Words, Inc.;
$50,000 for Associates for Human Services, Inc. early intervention program in the city of Taunton;
$8,000,000 for grants to early education and care providers for costs associated with personal childcare.
FY25 SWM: $12,189,926
FY25 Senate Final: $12,639,926 includes $450,000 for Jumpstart.
FY25 Conference Committee and Final Budget: $27,668,027 includes $7,500,000 for an early education and care educator scholarship program and $7,500,000 for an early education and care educator loan forgiveness program. Includes $100,000 for the young parents program at More Than Words, Inc.; $50,000 for Associates for Human Services, Inc. early intervention program in the city of Taunton; $450,000 for Jumpstart.
Quality Improvement (3000-1020)
FY22 Conference Committee and Final Budget: $44,551,119
FY23 Conference Committee and Final Budget (GAA): $44,551,119
FY24 Conference Committee and Final Budget: $46,706,191
FY25 Governor: $47,603,764
FY25 HWM and House Final: $47,603,764
FY25 SWM and Senate Final: $53,603,764 includes $6 million for Summer Step Up.
FY25 Conference Committee and Final Budget: $52,603,764 includes funding for Summer Step Up.
Rate Increase for Early Educators in Center-Based and Family Child Care (3000-1041)
FY24 Conference Committee and Final Budget: $20,000,000
FY25 Governor: see line item 1596-2434 below.
FY25 HWM and House Final: see line item 1596-2434 below.
FY25 SWM and Senate Final: see line item 1596-2434 below.
FY25 Conference Committee and Final Budget: see line item 1596-2434 below.
Rate Increase for Early Educators in Center-Based Programs (3000-1042)
FY22 Conference Committee and Final Budget: $20,000,000
FY23 Conference Committee and Final Budget (GAA): $60,000,000, includes language "provided, that not less than $20,000,000 shall be expended to increase the reimbursement rate by an appropriate percentage for all such providers; provided further, that not less than $40,000,000 shall be expended to increase the reimbursement rate through a daily quality add-on rate by the same percentage for all such providers, inclusive of administration staff in family child care systems agencies"
FY24 Final Budget: $35,000,000 [includes $15 million for grants to early education and care providers for costs associated with personal childcare; language allows an additional $25 million in unspent FY23 subsidy funds from 3000-3060 and 3000-4060 to be used for a center-based rate increase in FY24]. See also $25 million in line item 1596-2434 below.
9C cut, 1-8-24: -$12,000,000. Governor's public comment: "I am reducing this item by $12 M. $5 M of this reduction will align
the early educator scholarship program with FY23 funding levels,
and $7 M of this reduction will be offset by funding rolled over
from FY23 to still enable the planned $65 M provider rate
increase."
FY25 Governor: see line item 1596-2434 below.
FY25 HWM and House Final: see line item 1596-2434 below.
FY25 SWM and Senate Final: see line item 1596-2434 below.
FY25 Conference Committee and Final Budget: see line item 1596-2434 below.
Commonwealth Cares for Children (C3) Stabilization Grants
(3000-1045)
FY22 Conference Committee and Final Budget: not funded
FY23 Conference Committee and Final Budget (GAA): $250,000,000
Economic Development Bill, November 2022:
$150,000,000
FY23 Supplemental Budget: $68 million
FY24 Conference Committee and Final Budget: $475,000,000 [includes data and reporting requirements] (funding sources:
High-Quality Early Education & Care Affordability Fund 47.37%,
General Fund 52.63%)
FY25 Governor: $325,000,000 (+$150,000,000 in line item 1596-2410 below). For grants to support available capacity, support workforce and address operational costs within the early education and care sector; provided, that grants shall be available to child care programs supervised by the department of early education and care; provided further, that the distribution of grants shall prioritize equity and early education programs with higher percentages of state subsidized enrollment; provided further, that the department shall collect data from participating programs, including but not limited to, the number of enrolled children, number of educators employed, and a breakdown of the funding from the operational grants spent to recruit and retain employees; and provided further, that the department shall report such data to the joint committee on education, the house and senate committees on ways and means and the secretary of administration and finance on a quarterly basis
General Fund ............... 18.46%;
High-Quality Early Education & Care Affordability Fund ............... 81.54%
FY25 HWM: $200,000,000 (plus line items 3000-1048, 1596-2410): For operational grants to child care providers whose enrollment includes at least 25 per cent of children with a child care financial assistance
subsidy; provided, that funds from this line item shall be expended in coordination with funds from line items 3000-1048 and 1596-2410;
provided further, that the department shall collect data from participating
programs including, but not limited to: (i) the number of enrolled children; (ii) the number of educators employed; (iii) efforts to recruit and retain employees; (iv) any available demographic data of the families served by
participating providers; (v) to the extent feasible, the income level of the
families served by participating providers; and (vi) the amount of operational grants spent by provider, delineated by category of spending;
provided further, that programs shall respond to all data collection requests and surveys from the department to be eligible for said grants;
provided further, that the department shall report such data as required by
section 20 of chapter 15D of the General Laws, as inserted by section 22;
and provided further, that administrative costs for the program shall not
exceed 2 per cent of the total appropriation for said program.
High-Quality EEC Fund............................................100%
FY25 House Final: $200,000,000 (plus line items 3000-1048, 1596-2410): For operational grants to child care providers whose enrollment includes at least 25 per cent of children with a child care financial assistance subsidy, or Head Start or Early Head Start; provided, that funds from this line item shall be expended in coordination with funds from line items 3000-1048 and 1596-2410; provided further, that the department shall collect data from participating programs including, but not limited to: (i) the number of enrolled children; (ii) the number of educators employed; (iii) efforts to recruit and retain employees; (iv) any available demographic data of the families served by participating providers; (v) to the extent feasible, the income level of the families served by participating providers; and (vi) the amount of operational grants spent by provider, delineated by category of spending; provided further, that programs shall respond to all data collection requests and surveys from the department to be eligible for said grants; provided further, that the department shall report such data as required by section 20 of chapter 15D of the General Laws, as inserted by section 22; and provided further, that administrative costs for the program shall not exceed 2 per cent of the total appropriation for said program. High-Quality EEC Fund............................................100%
FY25 SWM and Senate Final: $325,000,000 For grants to support and stabilize the early education and care workforce and address varied operational costs at state child care programs supervised by the department of early education and care; provided, that the distribution of stabilization grants shall prioritize equity and early education programs with higher percentages of state subsidized enrollment; provided further, that an early education and care provider that is not an eligible organization as defined in section 18 of chapter 15D of the General Laws and that, directly or through an affiliate, operates more than 10 center-based
programs in the commonwealth shall: (i) not receive funds through this item that total more than 1 per cent of the sum of this item and item 1596-2410, unless the provider is granted a waiver by the commissioner deeming such allocation to be in the best interest of the commonwealth; (ii) demonstrate a willingness to accept children
receiving child care financial assistance at each program location operated by the provider or an affiliate of the provider in proportion to the provider’s size, as determined by the department; (iii) dedicate a certain percentage of the funds that the provider receives through this line item, as determined by the department, to increasing compensation for their early educators; and (iv) annually provide the department with an audited financial statement detailing how the provider has spent funds received through this item; provided
further, that the department shall collect data from participating programs, including, but not limited to, the: (i) number of enrolled children; (ii) number of educators employed; (iii) efforts to recruit and retain employees; (iv) available demographic data of the families served by participating providers; and (v) percentage of
grant funding spent on salaries, compensation, workforce training and facilities improvements; provided further, that the department shall submit quarterly reports on the distribution of funds from this item to the executive office for administration and finance, the house and senate committees on ways and means and the joint committee on education; provided further, that each report shall include, but not be limited to: (a) a description of the formula through which
funding is allocated to providers; (b) an analysis of the incorporation of equity into said formula, including the projected disbursement of funding to state subsidized and nonstate subsidized child care programs; (c) an analysis of the demographic data of the families served by participating programs including, but not limited to, the number of children served in: (1) communities with a high social vulnerability index; and (2) communities with an area median
income of not more than 85 per cent of the state median income; and (d) a description of the efforts undertaken to improve the distribution of funds to providers serving high-needs populations; provided further, that funds may be expended by the department for technica assistance related to the administration and distribution of funding;
and provided further, that funds may be expended to support data collection technology, personnel and supports related to this item.
High-Quality Early Education & Care
Affordability Fund ....................................... 81.54%
General Fund................................................. 18.46%
FY25 Conference Committee and Final Budget: $300,000,000 For operational grants to child care providers; provided, that for fiscal year
2025 funds shall be distributed in accordance with the formula established
in section 189 of this act; provided further, that funds from this line item
shall be expended in coordination with funds from line item 1596-2410;
provided further, that the department shall collect data from participating
programs, including, but not limited to: (i) the number of enrolled children;
(ii) the number of educators employed; (iii) efforts to recruit and retain
employees; (iv) any available demographic data of the families served by
participating providers; (v) to the extent feasible, the income level of the
families served by participating providers; (vi) the amount awarded to each
provider; and (vii) the amount of operational grants spent by provider,
delineated by category of spending including, but not limited to: (a)
salaries; (b) other compensation; (c) workforce training; and (d) facilities
improvements; provided further, that programs shall respond to all data
collection requests and surveys from the department to be eligible for said
grants; provided further, that funds may be expended for departmental
technical assistance related to the administration and distribution of said
grants; and provided further, that administrative costs for the program shall
not exceed 2 per cent of the total appropriation for said program ..................
High-Quality EEC Affordability Fund.....................66.67%
Early Education and Care Operational
Grant Fund ............................................................33.33%
Commonwealth Cares for Children (C3) Stabilization Grants (3000-1048)
FY25 HWM and House Final: $100,000,000 (plus line items 3000-1045, 1596-2410): For operational grants to child care providers whose enrollment includes no children with child care financial assistance subsidies; provided, that the department shall prioritize payments to family and center-based providers who serve low-income and middle-income families who are on the waitlist for or not otherwise enrolled in the child care financial assistance subsidy system; provided further, that funds from this line item
shall be expended in coordination with funds from line items 3000-1045 and 1596-2410; provided further, that the department shall collect data from participating programs including, but not limited to: (i) the number of
enrolled children; (ii) the number of educators employed; (iii) efforts to recruit and retain employees; (iv) any available demographic data of the families served; (v) to the extent feasible, the income level of the families served; and (vi) the amount of operational grants spent by provider, delineated by category of spending; provided further, that programs shall respond to all data collection requests and surveys from the department to be eligible for said stabilization grants; provided further, that the department shall report such data as required by section 20 of chapter 15D of the General Laws, as inserted by section 22; provided further, that funds may be expended for departmental technical assistance related to the administration and distribution of funding; and provided further, that administrative costs for the program shall not exceed 2 per cent of the total appropriation for said program.
Early Education and Care Operational Grant Fund ...100%
FY25 SWM and Senate Final: see 3000-1045 and 1596-2410
FY25 Conference Committee and Final Budget: see 3000-1045 and 1596-2410
Employer-Supported Child Care Pilot (3000-1049)
FY25 SWM and Senate Final: $2,500,000 For the department of early education and care, in consultation with the executive office of economic development, to establish a competitive matching grant pilot program to increase access to high quality and affordable child care by incentivizing employer investments; provided, that said program shall be open to applications from a Massachusetts employer, a group of Massachusetts employers or an early education and care provider partnering with a Massachusetts employer or group of
Massachusetts employers; provided further, that said program shall fund investments in infrastructure, startup, employment, and other related costs to establish new early education and care slots or increase the number of children that can be served by at least one provider; provided further, that an applicant shall: (i) commit to investing not less than 50 per cent of the expected cost of infrastructure, startup, employment, or other costs related to creating new early education and care slots; (ii) certify that early educators who serve hildren in slots funded by this program are paid pursuant to salary and compensation guidelines established by the
department; and (iii) ensure that early education and care providers
funded through this program enroll or commit to enrolling children receiving child care financial assistance; provided further, that the
department shall seek to maximize equity when reviewing and
selecting grant applicants, including prioritizing applications that:
(1) support higher numbers of children from low-income families;
(2) present a plan for maintaining affordable tuition prices for
families; (3) are from applicants located in rural areas or in areas
with a short of early education and care slots; (4) support historically
underserved populations, infants, toddlers, families with
nontraditional work hours, and families with children with high
needs; (5) promote equity in other ways as deemed appropriate by
the department; and (6) support high-demand and low wage
industries; provided further, that an early education and care
provider shall not be eligible to participate in the pilot program
unless the provider is a non-profit organization, an organization in
which a non-profit organization has a controlling financial or
managerial interest or a licensed family home-based early education
and care provider; provided further, that, not later than December 2,
2024, the department of early education and care shall file a report
on the pilot program with the clerks of the senate and house of
representatives, the senate and house committees on ways and
means, and the joint committee on education; and provided further, the report shall include, but not be limited to: (a) number of program
partcipants; (b) number of early education and care slots support by
this line item; (c) percentage of slots filled by children receiving
child care financial assistance; and (d) guidelines for a potential
permanent program.
FY25 Conference Committee and Final Budget: $2,500,000 For the department of early education and care, in consultation with the
executive office of economic development, to establish a competitive
matching grant pilot program to increase access to high quality and
affordable child care by incentivizing employer investments; provided, that
said program shall be open to applications from a Massachusetts
employer, a group of Massachusetts employers or an early education and
care provider partnering with a Massachusetts employer or group of
Massachusetts employers; provided further, that said program shall fund
investments in infrastructure, startup, employment, and other related costs
to establish new early education and care slots or increase the number of
children that can be served by at least one provider; provided further, that
an applicant shall: (i) commit to investing not less than 50 per cent of the
expected cost of infrastructure, startup, employment, or other costs related
to creating new early education and care slots; (ii) certify that early
educators who serve children in slots funded by this program are paid
pursuant to salary and compensation guidelines established by the
department; and (iii) ensure that early education and care providers
funded through this program enroll or commit to enrolling children
receiving child care financial assistance; provided further, that the
department shall seek to maximize equity when reviewing and selecting
grant applicants, including prioritizing applications that: (1) support higher
numbers of children from low-income families; (2) present a plan for
maintaining affordable tuition prices for families; (3) are from applicants
located in rural areas or in areas with a short of early education and care
slots; (4) support historically underserved populations, infants, toddlers,
families with nontraditional work hours, and families with children with high
needs; (5) promote equity in other ways as deemed appropriate by the
department; and (6) support high-demand and low wage industries;
provided further, that an early education and care provider shall not be
eligible to participate in the pilot program unless the provider is a non-profit
organization, an organization in which a non-profit organization has a
controlling financial or managerial interest or a licensed family home-
based early education and care provider; provided further, that, not later
than December 2, 2024, the department of early education and care shall
file a report on the pilot program with the clerks of the senate and house
of representatives, the senate and house committees on ways and means,
and the joint committee on education; and provided further, the report shall
include, but not be limited to: (a) number of program participants; (b)
number of early education and care slots support by this line item; (c)
percentage of slots filled by children receiving child care financial
assistance; and (d) guidelines for a potential permanent program
Access Management (3000-2000)
FY22 Conference Committee and Final Budget: $12,000,000
FY23 Conference Committee and Final Budget (GAA): $15,000,000
FY24 Conference Committee and Final Budget: $20,000,000
FY25 Governor: $20,000,000
FY25 HWM and House Final: $20,000,000
FY25 SWM and Senate Final: $20,000,000
FY25 Conference Committee and Final Budget: $20,000,000
Supportive Child Care & TANF (3000-3060)
FY22 Conference Committee and Final Budget: $358,928,901. Includes language re. improved child care funding models, and transferring unspent funds to 3000-1045:
provided further, that not later than December 30, 2021, the commissioner shall report to the joint committee on education and the house and senate committees on ways and means on the implementation or further development of an improved funding model for child care sustainability and quality; provided further, that not later than April 15, 2022, the commissioner shall report to the house and senate committees on ways and means and the secretary of administration and finance the projected expenses for the program; provided further, that if the department of early education and care determines that the available appropriation exceeds projected expenses, the commissioner shall transfer the amount that would otherwise be unspent by June 30, 2022 to item 3000-1045.
FY23 Conference Committee and Final Budget (GAA): $325,541,422, includes language: "provided, that providers shall be reimbursed for
subsidized childcare services funded under this item based on enrollment." Includes eligibility language: "in light of the economic impact of COVID-19, for families participating in education and training services funded by the Supplemental Nutrition
Assistance Program"
FY24 Conference Committee and Final Budget: $346,587,135
FY25 Governor: $356,587,135
FY25 HWM and House Final: $356,587,135
FY25 SWM and Senate Final: $356,587,135
FY25 Conference Committee and Final Budget: $356,587,135
Income Eligible (3000-4060)
FY22 Conference Committee and Final Budget: $298,702,892. Includes language re. improved child care funding models, and transferring unspent funds to 3000-1045:
provided further, that not later than December 30, 2021, the commissioner shall report to the joint committee on education and the house and senate committees on ways and means on the implementation or further development of an improved funding model for child care sustainability and quality; provided further, that not later than April 15, 2022, the commissioner shall report to the house and senate committees on ways and means and the secretary of administration and finance the projected expenses for the program; provided further, that if the department of early education and care determines that the available appropriation exceeds projected expenses, the commissioner shall transfer the amount that would otherwise be unspent by June 30, 2022 to item 3000-1045.
FY23 Conference Committee and Final Budget (GAA): $368,108,945, includes language: "provided, that providers shall be reimbursed for subsidized childcare services funded under this item based on enrollment."
FY24 Conference Committee and Final Budget: $407,188,233
FY25 Governor: $417,188,233
FY25 HWM and House Final: $417,188,233
FY25 SWM and Senate Final: $417,188,233
FY25 Conference Committee and Final Budget: $417,188,233
Head Start (3000-5000)
FY22 Conference Committee and Final Budget: $15,000,000
FY23 Conference Committee and Final Budget (GAA): $16,500,000
FY24 Final Budget: $17,500,000
FY25 Governor: $15,000,000
FY25 HWM and House Final: $17,500,000
FY25 SWM and Senate Final: $18,500,000
FY25 Conference Committee and Final Budget: $18,500,000
Commonwealth Preschool Partnership Initiative (3000-6025)
FY22 Conference Committee and Final Budget: $10,000,000
FY23 Conference Committee and Final Budget (GAA): $15,000,000
FY24 Conference Committee and Final Budget: $15,000,000 (plus additional $5,500,000 in 1596-2412 below)
FY25 Governor: $17,673,127 (+$21,000,000 in line item 1596-2412 below)
FY25 HWM and House Final: $15,000,000
FY25 SWM and Senate Final: $17,523,127 (+$15,000,000 in line item 1596-2412 below)
FY25 Conference Committee and Final Budget: $17,523,127 (+$5,000,000 in line item 1596-2412 below)
Early Childhood Mental Health (3000-6075)
FY22 Conference Committee and Final Budget: $3,000,000
FY23 Conference Committee and Final Budget (GAA): $3,500,000
FY24 Conference Committee and Final Budget: $5,000,000 (funding source: Behavioral Health Outreach, Access and Support Trust Fund)
FY25 Governor: $5,000,000
FY25 HWM and House Final: $5,000,000
FY25 SWM and Senate Final: $5,000,000
FY25 Conference Committee and Final Budget: $5,000,000
EEC Contingency Contract Retained Revenue (3000-7040)
FY22 Conference Committee and Final Budget: $320,000
FY23 Conference Committee and Final Budget (GAA): $320,000
FY24 Conference Committee and Final Budget: $320,000
FY25 Governor: $520,000
FY25 HWM and House Final: $520,000
FY25 SWM and Senate Final: $520,000
FY25 Conference Committee and Final Budget: $520,000
Services for Infants and Parents (3000-7050)
FY22 Conference Committee and Final Budget: $11,539,190
FY23 Conference Committee and Final Budget (GAA): $11,699,190, includes language: "provided further, that not more than $160,000 shall be expended for technical assistance."
FY24 Conference Committee and Final Budget: $11,859,190 [includes $160,000 for technical assistance]
FY25 Governor: $11,859,190
FY25 HWM and House Final: $11,859,190
FY25 SWM and Senate Final: $11,859,190
FY25 Conference Committee and Final Budget: $11,859,190
Parent Child+ (3000-7052)
FY22 Conference Committee and Final Budget: $3,300,000
FY23 Conference Committee and Final Budget (GAA): $4,000,000
FY24 Conference Committee: $4,250,000
FY24 Governor Veto: -$250,000 (reduces to $4,000,000)
FY24 Final Budget: $4,250,000
FY25 Governor: $4,000,000
FY25 HWM and House Final: $4,000,000
FY25 SWM: $4,000,000
FY25 Senate Final: $4,250,000
FY25 Conference Committee and Final Budget: $4,250,000
Neighborhood Villages pilot (3000-7055)
FY22 Conference Committee and Final Budget: $1,000,000
FY23 Conference Committee and Final Budget (GAA): $1,000,000
FY24 Conference Committee and Final Budget: $1,000,000
FY25 Governor: $1,000,000
FY25 HWM and House Final: $1,000,000
FY25 SWM and Senate Final: $1,000,000
FY25 Conference Committee and Final Budget: $1,000,000
Workforce Development Initiative (3000-7066)
FY22 Conference Committee and Final Budget: $5,000,000
FY23 Conference Committee and Final Budget (GAA): $10,000,000
FY24 Conference Committee and Final Budget: $10,000,000
FY25 Governor: $10,000,000
FY25 HWM and House Final: $10,000,000
FY25 SWM and Senate Final: not funded
FY25 Conference Committee: $8,000,000
FY25 Governor's Veto: -$3,000,000
FY25 Final Budget: $5,000,000
Reach Out and Read (3000-7070)
FY22 Conference Committee and Final Budget: $1,548,228
FY23 Conference Committee and Final Budget (GAA): $1,548,228
FY24 Conference Committee and Final Budget: $1,750,000
FY25 Governor: $1,000,000
FY25 HWM: $1,000,000
FY25 House Final: $1,750,000
FY25 SWM and Senate Final: $1,000,000
FY25 Conference Committee and Final Budget: $1,750,000
Childcare Grants to Providers (1596-2410)
FY25 Governor: $150,000,000 For grants to support available capacity, support workforce, and address operational costs within the early education and care sector; provided, that grants shall be available to child care programs licensed or otherwise funded by the department of early education and care; provided further, that the distribution of grants shall prioritize equity and early education programs with higher percentages of state subsidized enrollment; provided further, that such grants shall be provided to child care providers whose enrollment includes at least fifty percent of children with a state subsidy; provided further, that funds from this line item shall be expended in coordination with funds from item 3000-1045; provided further, that the department shall collect data from participating programs, including but not limited to: (i) the number of enrolled children; (ii) number of educators employed; and (iii) a breakdown of the funding from the operational grants spent to recruit and retain employees; and provided further, that the department shall report such data to the joint committee on education, the house and senate committees on ways and means and the secretary of administration and finance on a quarterly basis. (Funding source:
Education and Transportation Fund)
FY25 HWM: $175,000,000 (plus line items 3000-1045, 3000-1048): For operational grants to child care providers; provided, that funds from
this line item shall be expended in coordination with funds in line items
3000-1045 and 3000-1048; provided further, that not less than
$40,000,000 shall be expended for child care providers whose enrollment
includes at least 25 per cent of children with a child care financial
assistance subsidy; provided further, that not less than $135,000,000 shall be expended for programs whose enrollment includes at least 1 per cent but less than 25 per cent of children with a child care financial assistance subsidy; provided further, that the department shall collect data from
participating programs including, but not limited to: (i) the number of
enrolled children; (ii) the number of educators employed; (iii) efforts to
recruit and retain employees; (iv) any available demographic data of the
families served; (v) to the extent feasible, the income level of the families
served; and (vi) the amount of operational grants spent by provider,
delineated by category of spending; provided further, that programs shall
respond to all data collection requests and surveys from the department
to be eligible for said stabilization grants; provided further, that the
department shall report such data as required by section 20 of chapter
15D of the General Laws, as inserted by section 22; provided further, that
funds may be expended for departmental technical assistance related to
the administration and distribution of funding; and provided further, that
administrative costs for the program shall not exceed 2 per cent of the total
appropriation for said program.
Education and Transportation Fund ........................100%
FY25 House Final: $175,000,000 (plus line items 3000-1045, 3000-1048): For operational grants to child care providers; provided, that funds from this line item shall be expended in coordination with funds in line items 3000-1045 and 3000-1048; provided further, that not less than $40,000,000 shall be expended for child care providers whose enrollment includes at least 25 per cent of children with a child care financial assistance subsidy and Head Start and Early Head Start programs; provided further, that not less than $135,000,000 shall be expended for programs whose enrollment includes at least 1 per cent but less than 25 per cent of children with a child care financial assistance subsidy; provided further, that the department shall collect data from participating programs including, but not limited to: (i) the number of enrolled children; (ii) the number of educators employed; (iii) efforts to recruit and retain employees; (iv) any available demographic data of the families served; (v) to the extent feasible, the income level of the families served; and (vi) the amount of operational grants spent by provider, delineated by category of spending; provided further, that programs shall respond to all data collection requests and surveys from the department to be eligible for said stabilization grants; provided further, that the department shall report such data as required by section 20 of chapter 15D of the General Laws, as inserted by section 22; provided further, that funds may be expended for departmental technical assistance related to the administration and distribution of funding; and provided further, that administrative costs for the program shall not exceed 2 per cent of the total appropriation for said program. Education and Transportation Fund ........................100%
FY25 SWM and Senate Final: $150,000,000 For grants to support available capacity, support workforce, and
address operational costs within the early education and care sector;
provided, that grants shall be available to child care programs
licensed or otherwise funded by the department of early education
and care; provided further, that the distribution of grants shall
prioritize equity and early education programs with higher
percentages of state subsidized enrollment; provided further, that an
early education and care provider that is not an eligible organization
as defined in section 18 of chapter 15D of the General Laws and
that, directly or through an affiliate, operates more than 10 center-based programs in the commonwealth shall: (i) not receive funds
through this item totaling more than 1 per cent of the sum of this
item and item 3000-1045, unless the provider is granted a waiver by
the commissioner deeming such allocation to be in the best interest
of the commonwealth; (ii) demonstrate a willingness to accept
children receiving child care financial assistance at each program
location operated by the provider or an affiliate of the provider in proportion to the provider’s size, as determined by the department; (iii) dedicate a certain percentage of the funds that the provider receives through this line item, as determined by the department, to increasing compensation for their early educators; and (iv) annually provide the department with an audited financial statement detailing how the provider has spent funds received through this item; provided further, that such grants shall be provided to child care providers whose enrollment includes not less than 50 per cent of children with a state subsidy; provided further, that funds from this item shall be expended in coordination with funds from item 3000- 1045; provided further, that the department shall collect data from participating programs, including but not limited to: (a) the number of enrolled children; (b) number of educators employed; and (c) a breakdown of the funding from the operational grants spent to recruit and retain employees; and provided further, that the
department shall report such data to the joint committee on education, the house and senate committees on ways and means and the secretary of administration and finance on a quarterly basis.... Education and Transportation Fund................. 100%
FY25 Conference Committee and Final Budget: $175,000,000 For operational grants to child care providers; provided, that for fiscal year
2025 funds shall be distributed in accordance with the formula established
in section 189 of this act; provided further, that funds from this line item
shall be expended in coordination with funds from line item 3000-1045;
provided further, that the department shall collect data from participating
programs, including, but not limited to: (i) the number of enrolled children;
(ii) the number of educators employed; (iii) efforts to recruit and retain
employees; (iv) any available demographic data of the families served by participating providers; (v) to the extent feasible, the income level of the
families served by participating providers; (vi) the amount awarded to each
provider; and (vii) the amount of operational grants spent by provider,
delineated by category of spending including, but not limited to: (a)
salaries; (b) other compensation; (c) workforce training; and (d) facilities
improvements; provided further, that programs shall respond to all data
collection requests and surveys from the department to be eligible for said
grants; provided further, that funds may be expended for departmental
technical assistance related to the administration and distribution of said
grants; and provided further, that administrative costs for the program shall
not exceed 2 per cent of the total appropriation for said program Education and Transportation Fund ........................100%
Income Eligible Waitlist (1596-2411)
FY24 Conference Committee and Final Budget: $25,000,000 (funding source: Education and Transportation Fund)
FY25 Governor: not funded
FY25 HWM and House Final: $30,000,000: For efforts to reduce the waitlist for income-eligible early education and
care programs; provided, that funds may be expended for teen parents
and homeless families at risk of becoming eligible for transitional aid to families with dependent children; provided further, that funds may be expended for informal early education and care benefits for families
meeting income-eligibility criteria; provided further, that not less than
$15,000,000 shall be expended for the department’s fiscal year 2025
procurement of contracted early education slots; provided further, that the
early education and care services funded from this item shall be distributed
in a geographically-equitable manner that provides fair and adequate
access to early education and care for all eligible individuals; and provided
further, that not later than April 1, 2025, the department of early education
and care shall submit a report to the house and senate committees on
ways and means detailing the number of families removed from the waitlist
through this item.
Education and Transportation Fund ........................100%
FY25 SWM and Senate Final: not funded
FY25 Conference Committee and Final Budget: $15,000,000 For efforts to reduce the waitlist for income-eligible early education and
care programs; provided, that funds may be expended for teen parents
and homeless families at risk of becoming eligible for transitional aid to
families with dependent children; provided further, that funds may be
expended for informal early education and care benefits for families
meeting income-eligibility criteria;
provided further, that not less than
$15,000,000 shall be expended for the department’s fiscal year 2025
procurement of contracted early education slots; provided further, that the
early education and care services funded from this item shall be distributed
in a geographically-equitable manner that provides fair and adequate
access to early education and care for all eligible individuals; and provided
further, that not later than April 1, 2025, the department of early education
and care shall submit a report to the house and senate committees on
ways and means detailing the number of families removed from the waitlist
through this item.
Education and Transportation Fund ........................100%
CPPI Pre-K Initiative (1596-2412)
FY24 Conference Committee and Final Budget: $5,500,000 (funding source: Education and Transportation Fund)
FY25 Governor: $21,000,000 For planning and implementation activities in cities, towns, regional school districts or educational collaboratives to expand pre-kindergarten or preschool opportunities on a voluntary basis to children who will be eligible for kindergarten within two school years, utilizing the Massachusetts Preschool Expansion Grant public-private partnership model; provided, that preference shall be given to districts in Gateway Cities or serving high percentages of high-needs students; provided further, that additional preference shall be given to districts that have completed strategic planning efforts that support expanding access to high-quality preschool; provided further, that notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, funds distributed from this item shall be deposited with the treasurer of the city, town, regional school district or educational collaborative and held in a separate account and shall be expended by the school committee of such city, town, regional school district or educational collaborative without further appropriation; provided further, that funds may be expended for Summer Step Up to support children entering kindergarten and early elementary school with academic and enrichment activities during the summer; provided further, that funds from this line item shall be expended in coordination with funds from item 3000-6025; and provided further, that appropriated funds may be expended for programs or activities during the summer months. (funding source:
Education and Transportation Fund)
FY25 HWM and House Final: not funded
FY25 SWM and Senate Final: $15,000,000 For planning and implementation activities in cities, towns, regional
school districts or educational collaboratives to expand pre-
kindergarten or preschool opportunities on a voluntary basis to
children who will be eligible for kindergarten within 2 school years,
utilizing the Massachusetts preschool expansion grant public-
private partnership model; provided, that preference shall be given to districts serving high percentages of high-needs students; provided further, that additional preference shall be given to districts that have completed strategic planning efforts that support expanding access to high-quality preschool; and provided further, that notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, funds distributed from this item shall be deposited with the treasurer of the city, town, regional school district or educational collaborative and held in a separate account and shall be expended by the school committee of such city, town, regional school district or educational collaborative without further appropriation ... Education and Transportation Fund................. 100%
FY25 Conference Committee and Final Budget: $5,000,000 For planning and implementation activities in cities, towns, regional school
districts or educational collaboratives to expand pre-kindergarten or
preschool opportunities on a voluntary basis to children who will be eligible
for kindergarten within 2 school years, utilizing the Massachusetts
preschool expansion grant public-private partnership model; provided, that
preference shall be given to districts serving high percentages of high-
needs students; provided further, that additional preference shall be given
to districts that have completed strategic planning efforts that support
expanding access to high-quality preschool; provided further, that
notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, funds
distributed from this item shall be deposited with the treasurer of the city,
town, regional school district or educational collaborative and held in a
separate account and shall be expended by the school committee of such
city, town, regional school district or educational collaborative without
further appropriation; and provided further, that funds may be expended
for programs or activities during the summer months.
Education and Transportation Fund ........................100%
Early education and care capital improvements (1596-2429)
FY24 Conference Committee and Final Budget: $15,000,000 (funding source: Education and Transportation Fund)
FY25 Governor: not funded
FY25 HWM: not funded
FY25 SWM and Senate Final: not funded
FY25 Conference Committee: not funded
Grants to early education and care providers for personal child care (1596-2430)
FY24 Conference Committee and Final Budget: see above, 3000-1042
FY25 Governor: not funded
FY25 HWM: not funded
FY25 SWM and Senate Final: not funded
Center-Based Rate Increase (1596-2434)
FY24 Conference Committee and Final Budget: $25,000,000 (funding source: Education and Transportation Fund). See above, line item 3000-1042.
FY25 Governor: $65,000,000 Rate Increase for Early Education and Care.
For a child care provider rate reserve to sustain reimbursement rate increases from prior fiscal years and to further increase such rates for subsidized early education and care providers; provided, that rate increases funded from this reserve shall support salaries, benefits and stipends for professional development of early educators, as well as increase access to care for families; provided further, that funds appropriated in this item may be used to increase the reimbursement rate for all such providers using a methodology established by the department; provided further, that funds may be expended for increasing the daily add-on rate for comprehensive early education services for children with active cases at the department of children and families; provided further, that the commissioner of early education and care may transfer funds between this item and items 3000-3060 and 3000-4060, as necessary, for this purpose, under an allocation plan that shall detail, by object class, the distribution of the funds to be transferred and which shall be submitted to the house and senate committees on ways and means not less than 30 days before any such transfer; provided further, that $45,000,000 shall be used to annualize rate increases implemented in fiscal year 2024; and provided further, that $20,000,000 shall be used to fund additional rate increases for center-based and family child care providers in fiscal year 2025. (Funding source:
Education and Transportation Fund)
FY25 HWM and House Final: $65,000,000 For a reimbursement rate increase for subsidized early education and care for salaries, benefits and stipends for professional development of early
educators; provided, that funds appropriated in this item shall be used to increase the reimbursement rate by an appropriate percentage for all such
providers; provided further, that funds shall be expended for increasing the daily add-on rate for comprehensive early education services for children
with active cases at the department of children and families; provided further, that the commissioner of early education and care may transfer
funds between line items 3000-3060 and 3000-4060, as necessary, for this purpose, under an allocation plan that shall detail, by object class, the
distribution of the funds to be transferred and which shall be submitted to the house and senate committees on ways and means not less than 30 days before any such transfer; provided further, that $45,000,000 shall be expended to annualize rate increases implemented in fiscal year 2024;
and provided further, that $20,000,000 shall be expended for additional rate increases for subsidized early education and care.
Education and Transportation Fund ........................100%
FY25 SWM and Senate Final: $65,000,000 For a child care provider rate reserve to sustain reimbursement rate increases from prior fiscal years and to further increase such rates for subsidized early education and care providers; provided, that rate increases funded from this reserve shall support salaries, benefits and stipends for professional development of early educators, as well as increase access to care for families; provided further, that funds appropriated in this item may be used to increase the
reimbursement rate for all such providers using a methodology established by the department; provided further, that funds may be expended for increasing the daily add-on rate for comprehensive early education services for children with active cases at the department of children and families; provided further, that the commissioner of early education and care may transfer funds
between this item and items 3000-3060 and 3000-4060, as necessary, for this purpose, under an allocation plan that shall detail, by object class, the distribution of the funds to be transferred and which shall be submitted to the house and senate committees on ways and means not less than 30 days before any such transfer; provided further, that $45,000,000 shall be used to annualize rate increases implemented in fiscal year 2024; provided further, that $20,000,000 shall be used to fund additional rate increases for center-based and family child care providers in fiscal year 2025... Education and Transportation Fund................. 100%
FY25 Conference Committee and Final Budget: $65,000,000 For a reimbursement rate increase for subsidized early education and care
for salaries, benefits and stipends for professional development of early
educators; provided, that rate increases funded from this reserve shall
support, as well as increase access to care for families; provided further,
that funds appropriated in this item shall be used to increase the reimbursement rate by an appropriate percentage for all such providers;
provided further, that funds shall be expended for increasing the daily add-
on rate for comprehensive early education services for children with active
cases at the department of children and families; provided further, that the
commissioner of early education and care may transfer funds between this
item and items 3000-3060 and 3000-4060, as necessary, for this purpose,
under an allocation plan that shall detail, by object class, the distribution
of the funds to be transferred and which shall be submitted to the house
and senate committees on ways and means not less than 30 days before
any such transfer; provided further, that $45,000,000 shall be expended
to annualize rate increases implemented in fiscal year 2024; and provided
further, that $20,000,000 shall be expended for additional rate increases
for subsidized early education center-based and family child care
providers in fiscal year 2025.
Education and Transportation Fund ........................100%
Childcare Affordability (1596-2435)
FY25 Governor: $75,000,000 For efforts to make child care more affordable for families and to reduce the waitlist for income-eligible early education and care programs; provided, that subject to appropriation, the department of early education and care may use funds to expand eligibility to child care financial assistance to additional families with incomes up to 85 percent of state median income; provided further, that educators working in early education, out of school time and residential facilities licensed by the department may be eligible for prioritization pursuant to department policies; provided further, that funds may also be expended for informal early education and care benefits for families meeting income-eligibility criteria established by the department; and provided further, that not later than April 1, 2025, the department of early education and care shall submit a report to the executive office for administration and finance, the joint committee on education and the house and senate committees on ways and means detailing the number of children placed in care through this item. (Funding source:
Education and Transportation Fund)
FY25 HWM and House Final: not funded
FY25 SWM and Senate Final: $80,000,000 For efforts to make child care more affordable for families and to reduce the waitlist for income-eligible early education and care programs; provided, that subject to appropriation, the department of early education and care may use funds to expand eligibility to child care financial assistance to additional families with incomes not more than 85 per cent of the state median income; provided further, that educators working in early education, out of school time and residential facilities licensed by the department may be eligible for prioritization pursuant to department policies; provided further, that funds may also be expended for informal early education and care benefits for families meeting income-eligibility criteria established by the department; and provided further, that not later than April 1, 2025, the department of early education and care shall submit a report to the executive office for administration and finance, the joint committee on education and the house and senate committees
on ways and means detailing the number of children placed in care
through this item. Education and Transportation Fund................. 100%
FY25 Conference Committee and Final Budget: $18,000,000 For efforts to make child care more affordable for families and to reduce
the waitlist for income-eligible early education and care programs;
provided, that subject to appropriation, the department of early education
and care may use funds to expand eligibility to child care financial
assistance to additional families with incomes not more than 85 per cent
of the state median income; provided further, that educators working in
early education, out of school time and residential facilities licensed by the
department may be eligible for prioritization pursuant to department
policies; provided further, that funds may also be expended for informal
early education and care benefits for families meeting income-eligibility
criteria established by the department; provided further, that not less than
$8,000,000 shall be expended for grants to early education and care
providers for costs associated with personal childcare; and provided
further, that not later than April 1, 2025, the department of early education
and care shall submit a report to the executive office for administration and
finance, the joint committee on education and the house and senate
committees on ways and means detailing the number of children placed
in care through this item.
Education and Transportation Fund ........................100%
Massachusetts State Scholarship Program (7070-0065)
funds Early Childhood Educators Scholarship, estimated $3.2 million annually.
FY22 Conference Committee and Final Budget: $130,500,000 [includes $3,600,000 for ECE Scholarship]
FY23 Conference Committee and Final Budget (GAA): $175,150,000 [includes $5,000,000 for ECE Scholarship]
FY24 Conference Committee and Final Budget: $175,650,000 [includes $5,000,000 for ECE Scholarship]
FY25 Governor: $175,188,311
FY25 HWM: $175,188,311 [includes $3,600,000 for ECE Scholarship]
FY25 House Final: $171,833,311
FY25 SWM and Senate Final: $175,188,311 [includes $5,000,000 for ECE Scholarship]
FY25 Conference Committee and Final Budget: $175,938,311 [includes $5,000,000 for ECE Scholarship]
High-Quality Early Education and Care Affordability Fund Transfer (Outside Section 180)
FY23 Conference Committee and Final Budget (GAA): $175,000,000 in a one-time transfer to this new trust fund. See budget language here.
Economic Development Bill, November 2022: $315,000,000
FY24 Conference Committee and Final Budget: Used to fund Commonwealth Cares for Children (C3) Stabilization Grants (3000-1045), see above.
FY25 Governor: Used to fund Commonwealth Cares for Children (C3) Stabilization Grants (3000-1045), see above.
FY25 HWM: Used to fund Commonwealth Cares for Children (C3) Stabilization Grants (3000-1045), see above.
FY25 SWM and Senate Final: Used to fund Commonwealth Cares for Children (C3) Stabilization Grants (3000-1045), see above.
FY25 Conference Committee and Final Budget: Used to fund Commonwealth Cares for Children (C3) Stabilization Grants (3000-1045),
see above.
Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) Budget Timeline
FY25 starts on July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025.
Governor’s Budget
January 2024 |
The budget begins as a bill that Governor Healey submits to the House of Representatives, referred to as House 1.
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House Ways & Means Budget
April 2024 |
The House Ways and Means Committee reviews House 1 and then develops its own budget recommendations.
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House Budget
May 2024 |
The House Ways and Means budget is then debated, amended and voted on by the full House of Representatives, becoming the House budget bill.
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Senate Ways & Means Budget
May 2024 |
The House then passes its budget bill to the Senate. The Senate Ways and Means Committee reviews that version and develops its own recommendation.
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Senate Budget
May 2024 |
Once debated, amended and voted on by the Senate, it becomes the Senate's budget bill.
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House and Senate Conference
Committee Budget
June 2024 |
House and Senate leadership assign members to a joint "conference committee" to negotiate the differences between the House and Senate budgets. The conference committee then returns its compromise budget to the House for a vote. Once approved by the House, the budget goes to the Senate for its approval.
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Vetoes
July 2024 |
From there, the Senate passes the bill to the Governor who has ten days to review and approve it, or make vetoes recommendations, but may not add anything to the budget.
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Overrides |
The House and Senate may vote to override the Governor's vetoes, with a two-thirds majority vote in each chamber.
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Final Budget
July 1, 2024 |
July 1, 2024, the first day of the 2025 Fiscal Year, the FY25 budget becomes effective.
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