Author: Dilia Ramirez

Upgrade child-care facilities

THE PODIUM
Upgrade child-care facilities
By Sal DiDomenico and Jeffrey Sánchez
It is time for Massachusetts to invest more in the infrastructure of child care.
As parents of young children, we spend hours agonizing over finding the best teachers and programs for our children but we seldom consider the influence of inadequate classroom facilities on their capacity to learn. Throughout children are going to child-care centers that are too cramped, have poor air quality, and lack space for pre-schoolers to run around either indoors or out. These inadequacies will not only have an impact on our children’s education and opportunities for success, but will also influence the Commonwealth’s ability to maintain a competitive economic edge.
In 2011, the Children’s Investment Fund released a study that looked at the state of child-care facilities operated by nonprofit, community-based providers essential to many working parents in Boston and throughout the Commonwealth. The survey determined there were significant challenges facing operators — for instance, 33 percent of centers statewide and 50 percent of those in Boston had entrapment hazards in play equipment and structures; 54 percent of programs statewide, and 31 percent in Boston lacked indoor gross motor space and equipment, which is the kind of space that encourages movement and can help address childhood obesity. Statistics aside, the study revealed that a great number of children within the Commonwealth are attending child-care facilities without the infrastructure necessary to keep them safe and healthy.
The study recommended a public financing mechanism to help providers renovate or upgrade their facilities. The truth is that most nonprofit providers are well aware of the limitations of the space they are forced to work in. But community-based programs that serve children from low income neighborhoods are generally constrained by what is available to them — many of them are operating in church basements or community centers offered to them for free, or former store fronts — which they can rent at low cost. While most providers are appreciative of whatever inexpensive space they can find, these buildings are not designed for quality learning experiences for our children. Many operators of these centers would like the chance to improve the buildings they and their students occupy.
One of the great challenges facing these community-based child-care providers is that oftentimes they cannot afford or do not qualify for conventional financing to make necessary facility improvements. In January, we filed legislation that will authorize $45 million over five years for early child care and out-of-school time facilities that serve children and families living in low-income communities across the Commonwealth. This will provide flexibility in facility improvements or expansion, and allow providers to build new facilities or renovate as market conditions dictate. This bill also will ensure that providers receive technical expertise to expose them to best practices, which will help to ensure both high quality and cost effective projects. Finally, it will safeguard the state’s investment by requiring that facilities continue to serve eligible children for the life of the financing.
Not only essential to the growth and well-being of our young people, the early care and education and out-of-school time sector is critical to the Massachusetts economy, now and into the future. Two-thirds of children in the Commonwealth live in families where all parents are working. In order to work, parents need access to good care. High quality early care programs help children from low income communities thrive and help break the cycle of poverty; in fact, economists estimate a 7 -t0-16 percent return on public investment in high quality early education. Additionally, the sector currently provides 24,000 jobs and generates $1.5 billion in annual revenues. By passing this legislation, Massachusetts will be at the forefront of a growing national movement to invest in high quality early childhood education as a way of securing our future.
In February, President Obama focused on high quality early education programs, arguing they are one of the best, most cost-effective investments the country can make right now. Quality space – designed specifically for learning – must be part of the definition of high quality early education. Many of these children spend ten hours a day, five days a week at these facilities — we owe it to them, and to ourselves, to ensure that the space they’re in is designed to maximize their opportunities to learn.
Democratic State Senator Sal DiDomenico represents the Middlesex and Suffolk district in the Massachusetts State Senate. Democratic State Rep. Jeffrey Sánchez represents the 15th Suffolk/Norfolk District.

URL: http://www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/2013/05/16/upgrade-child-care-facilities/mKfRGFE7u6a5TJ7if6NxEI/story.html?event=event12
© 2013 The New York Times Company

SourceThe Boston Globe, The Podium

Historic South End, Roxbury affordable housing to be preserved, renovated

May 14, 2013
Historic South End, Roxbury affordable housing to be preserved, renovated
By Johanna Kaiser, Town Correspondent
ROXBURY, SOUTH END – The Community Economic Development Assistance Corporation has approved two loans totaling $700,000 that will help organizations preserve and renovate two long-time affordable housing developments in the South End and Roxbury.
CEDAC has awarded a $200,000 loan to Urban Edge Housing Corporation so it can make necessary repairs and updates to the Walnut Washington Apartments in Roxbury.
The CEDAC has also approved a $500,000 loan to the Community Builders Inc. The non-profit will make renovations preserving and updating the Historic South End Apartments.
“We are thrilled to be working with these community-based organizations on such important projects,” Roger Herzog, executive director of CEDAC, said in a statement. “Each of these developments has served low income families and individuals for decades. CEDAC is proud to be able to help preserve these homes so that they may continue to benefit those in need for years to come.”
The Walnut Washington Apartments were originally built in the 1920’s and consist of four buildings blocks from Egleston Square. The complex, which has a total of 65 units, was last renovated two decades ago, and requires exterior and interior updates. “Green” improvements will also be made to the buildings to reduce energy costs and water consumption, and improve air quality.
The Historic South End Apartments development consists of 146 units in 29 historic buildings within a few blocks of Massachusetts Avenue and Tremont Street.
A majority of these units are traditional South End row homes, consisting of four or five apartments. Community Builders plans to modify eight units to improve their accessibility.
“Organizations like Urban Edge and The Community Builders are focusing their efforts on improving existing developments for low income families, which is an important element to preserving affordable housing,” Herzog said. “By investing in these longstanding affordable housing developments, these communities are able to see that these developments are an essential part of the effort to strengthen their neighborhoods.”

URL: http://www.boston.com/yourtown/news/south_end/2013/05/historic_south_end_roxbury_aff.html
© 2013 NY Times Co

SourceThe Boston Globe, South End Edition

New funds will help support renovations to South End and Roxbury affordable units

May 14, 2013
New funds will help support renovations to South End and Roxbury affordable units
By Patrick D. Rosso, Town Correspondent
ROXBURY, SOUTH END – After the commitment of funds from the Community Economic Development Assistance Corporation affordable units in the South End and Roxbury will be renovated.
Urban Edge Housing Corporation was awarded a $200,000 loan by the group to renovate its Walnut Washington Apartments in Roxbury and The Community Builders Inc. was awarded a $500,000 loan to redevelop its Historic South End Apartments, said a release from the group.
“We are thrilled to be working with these community-based organizations on such important projects,” Roger Herzog, executive director of CEDAC, said in a statement. “Each of these developments has served low income families and individuals for decades. CEDAC is proud to be able to help preserve these homes so that they may continue to benefit those in need for years to come.”
Urban Edge’s Roxbury units located near Egelston Square, were constructed in the 1920’s and consist of four buildings that hold 65-units. The loans will support the renovation of the buildings’ exterior and interior as well as “green” improvements.
The South End units, which have served local families for several decades, include 29 buildings that hold 146 units. Located close to the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and Tremont Street, the loan will support accessibility upgrades to eight units.
“Organizations like Urban Edge and The Community Builders are focusing their efforts on improving existing developments for low income families, which is an important element to preserving affordable housing,” added Herzog. “By investing in these longstanding affordable housing developments, these communities are able to see that these developments are an essential part of the effort to strengthen their neighborhoods.”
The Community Economic Development Assistance Corporation is a private-public community development finance institution that provides technical assistance as well as pre-development lending and consulting.

URL: http://www.boston.com/yourtown/news/roxbury/2013/05/hold_new_funds_will_help_suppo.html
© 2013 NY Times Co

SourceThe Boston Globe, Roxbury Edition

Patrick Cabinet focus on workforce

Patrick Cabinet focus on workforce
By Sandy Meindersma CORRESPONDENT

STURBRIDGE — With a common goal of strengthening communities through a qualified and engaged workforce, three of Gov. Deval Patrick’s Cabinet secretaries discussed what they were doing to get it done at a conference Thursday.

Gregory Bialecki of Housing and Economic Development, Joanne Goldstein of Labor and Workforce Development, and Matthew Malone of Education were the keynote speakers at the Commonwealth Workforce Coalition annual conference at the Sturbridge Host Hotel and Conference Center.

“Massachusetts is recovering stronger and faster than the national average,” Mr. Bialecki said. “There are more people working now than there were in the spring of 2008, the last high point, and we are only one of seven states to be in that position.

Mr. Bialecki said manufacturing, which has a long and storied history in Massachusetts, continues to grow here.

“There are over 7,000 manufacturers in Massachusetts, and if you’re a skilled machinist, I can get you a job in less than 30 seconds,” he said.

Mr. Malone said the key to economic growth is partnerships among institutions.

“There is a partnership between Mount Wachusett Community College and NYPRO in Clinton, where the students are being taught advanced manufacturing, and it is seamless,” he said. “The future is hands-on, practical applications of science, technology, engineering, arts and math, and these partnerships are happening now.”

Mr. Malone said the focus of the state’s 15 community colleges is being revised, to align curriculum with 21st-century jobs and prepare students with employable skills.

Ms. Goldstein said a new careers pathways committee is being established to close the gap between employer needs and employee skills.

“We will have an important menu of tools that can be accessed by our education and workforce partners to help understand what jobs are in demand and where, the occupational skills and knowledge needed for jobs and the type of talent pool we have in Massachusetts to fill those jobs,” Ms. Goldstein said.

She said grant programs are available to train employees, including a $2,000 grant for companies who hire veterans that need additional training.

URL: http://www.telegram.com/article/20130510/NEWS/105109693/1002/business
© 2013 Worcester Telegram & Gazette Corp

SourceWorcester Telegram & Gazette

Loan program provides options for the needy

May 2, 2013
Loan program provides options for the needy
By State Sen. Patricia Jehlen
Second Middlesex District
(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries of The Somerville News belong solely to the authors of those commentaries and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville News, its staff or publishers.)
Faced with physical limitations, some seniors and people living with disabilities may have difficulty navigating their own homes safely. In some cases, they might even be forced to move away or to assisted living facilities. The Massachusetts Home Modification Loan Program (HMLP) provides another option, the option of living independently and safely.
In our neighborhoods, the Metropolitan Boston Housing Partnership (MBHP) administers funds on behalf of the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission. This state-funded program provides loans to seniors and those living with disabilities to undergo needed modifications to their homes. The modifications are necessary not only for convenience but also for safety and health, as research by the National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that home modifications and repairs may prevent 30% to 50% of all home accidents among seniors.
The HMLP can make expensive changes affordable to individuals or families who truly need accessibility to live more comfortably in their own home by removing the everyday obstacles that make getting around difficult. The simple widening of doorways, altering bathrooms or adding an entry ramp can make an astounding difference, allowing an elderly or disabled person to stay in the home they love.
As of March 2013, CEDAC and its cooperating agencies (including MBHP) have closed 1781 loans valued at $39.4 million since the program inception in 2000. Twenty-two percent (386) of those loans went to elders. Since April 2005 (when CEDAC started collecting more detailed information), 216 loans to elderly homeowners – valued at over $4 million – were closed. In Somerville alone $116, 415 has gone to modifying homes.
The loans provided by the HMLP are affordable—no- or low-interest. The program provides both deferred payment loans (DPL) and amortized loans. No-interest loans from HMLP do not have to be repaid until the sale of the home or a transfer of the title. The low interest loans from HMLP can be repaid in monthly increments over 5 to 15 years, at a rate of only 3% interest. These low costs allow families to invest now in making their homes accessible without the anxiety of high payments.
Homeowners are eligible for a loan if they or a member of their household is living with a disability. Additionally, landlords are eligible if they would like to make modifications to assist a tenant. The HMLP provides funding of up to $30,000 for modifications.
Living in your own home is a comfort that all of us deserve. The HMLP can help remove the barriers to allow the comfort of home to those who need it most.
The MBHP will be hosting an information session, “Housing Challenges and Opportunities: Partnering for Innovative Solutions,” on May 17th from 8:30 – 10:00am at the Walnut Street Center, 35 Charlestown Street, Somerville. For more information about the HMLP you can visit www.mbhp.org (under programs).

URL: http://www.thesomervillenews.com/archives/37828

Copyright 2010 The Somerville News and Prospect Hill Publishing, Inc. The Somerville News is the only locally owned and operated community newspaper in Somerville.

SourceThe Somerville News

Activists cite continuing demand in push for major spending on housing

ACTIVISTS CITE CONTINUING DEMAND IN PUSH FOR MAJOR SPENDING ON HOUSING

By Matt Murphy
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE

STATE HOUSE, BOSTON, APRIL 4, 2013…. Describing the housing market as “more stable” since the height of the foreclosure crisis, the Patrick administration’s top housing official on Thursday asked lawmakers to support a four-year $567 million spending program that he said will both create affordable housing and jobs.

“The construction of affordable housing leads to direct jobs and we have created 17,000 jobs through our programs since 2007,” said Aaron Gornstein, undersecretary for housing and economic development.

Gornstein testified Thursday before the Joint Committee on Housing at a hearing on Gov. Deval Patrick’s housing bond bill. The committee was also taking testimony on a similar five-year, $1 billion housing bond bill filed by the committee’s chairmen, Sen. Jamie Eldridge (D-Acton) and Rep. Kevin Honan (D-Boston).

The administration’s bill also assumes that it will be able to spend the nearly $500 million in unspent affordable housing authorizations over the next several years. The Eldridge-Honan bill cancels previous unspent authorizations and outlines a new $1 billion plan.

One of the major differences between the administration’s bill and the Eldridge-Honan bill is a new $45 million Early Education and Out of School Time capital fund that the two lawmakers have proposed to support building new facilities and modernizing existing child care facilities catering to low-income children.

“I am pleased that the Joint Committee on Housing has recognized the importance of quality child care facilities in creating healthy and vibrant neighborhoods,” said Leo Delaney, president of the Massachusetts Association of Early Education and Care.

Gornstein said he has not spoken to Patrick about the proposed child care fund, but expressed some concern that capital spending on the education program from the DHCD budget would crowd out available resources for housing. He said it might be better for the program to be included under another secretariat’s bond cap.

Roger Herzog, executive director of the Community Economic Development Assistance Corporation, called the child care fund a “critically important residential service to achieving financial independence” for low-income families.

Clark Ziegler, director of the Massachusetts Housing Partnership, said economic recovery has not alleviated the need for new affordable housing, citing Census data that showed 160,000 “extremely low-income” families in Massachusetts unable to find housing through the private market.

“The need has never been greater, so don’t let anyone tell you otherwise,” Ziegler told lawmakers.

He also lent his support to maintaining the $20 million authorization for the Low Income Housing Tax Credit, a program currently under review as part of the Patrick administration’s overhaul of tax expenditures and one scheduled to decrease to $10 million.

Rep. Denise Provost, a Somerville Democrat, testified to the need for affordable housing, particularly in communities like Somerville. “One of the unfortunate ways Massachusetts is leading the nation is the gap between its richer and poorer residents,” Provost said.

Provost said the foreclosure crisis left many former market rate units “vacant and deteriorating” and called Attorney General Martha Coakley’s receivership programs for foreclosed property a good idea but a “glacially slow process” that leaves little option in most cases but to gut the properties and covert homes into high-end condominiums.

“We need to be producing housing which is affordable to people who work and raise families, not just the very wealthy who happen to come to our communities. God bless their success, but we need something besides this increasingly competitive market,” Provost said.

END
04/04/2013

Serving the working press since 1910 http://www.statehousenews.com

This article also appeared in the Hingham Journal and online on Wicked Local Hingham.

URL: http://www.wickedlocal.com/hingham/newsnow/x846079493/State-House-News-Activists-cite-continuing-demand-in-push-for-major-spending-on-housing#axzz2PsUZUnoU

SourceWicked Local Hingham

Activists cite continuing demand in push for major spending on housing

ACTIVISTS CITE CONTINUING DEMAND IN PUSH FOR MAJOR SPENDING ON HOUSING

By Matt Murphy
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE

STATE HOUSE, BOSTON, APRIL 4, 2013…. Describing the housing market as “more stable” since the height of the foreclosure crisis, the Patrick administration’s top housing official on Thursday asked lawmakers to support a four-year $567 million spending program that he said will both create affordable housing and jobs.

“The construction of affordable housing leads to direct jobs and we have created 17,000 jobs through our programs since 2007,” said Aaron Gornstein, undersecretary for housing and economic development.

Gornstein testified Thursday before the Joint Committee on Housing at a hearing on Gov. Deval Patrick’s housing bond bill. The committee was also taking testimony on a similar five-year, $1 billion housing bond bill filed by the committee’s chairmen, Sen. Jamie Eldridge (D-Acton) and Rep. Kevin Honan (D-Boston).

The administration’s bill also assumes that it will be able to spend the nearly $500 million in unspent affordable housing authorizations over the next several years. The Eldridge-Honan bill cancels previous unspent authorizations and outlines a new $1 billion plan.

One of the major differences between the administration’s bill and the Eldridge-Honan bill is a new $45 million Early Education and Out of School Time capital fund that the two lawmakers have proposed to support building new facilities and modernizing existing child care facilities catering to low-income children.

“I am pleased that the Joint Committee on Housing has recognized the importance of quality child care facilities in creating healthy and vibrant neighborhoods,” said Leo Delaney, president of the Massachusetts Association of Early Education and Care.

Gornstein said he has not spoken to Patrick about the proposed child care fund, but expressed some concern that capital spending on the education program from the DHCD budget would crowd out available resources for housing. He said it might be better for the program to be included under another secretariat’s bond cap.

Roger Herzog, executive director of the Community Economic Development Assistance Corporation, called the child care fund a “critically important residential service to achieving financial independence” for low-income families.

Clark Ziegler, director of the Massachusetts Housing Partnership, said economic recovery has not alleviated the need for new affordable housing, citing Census data that showed 160,000 “extremely low-income” families in Massachusetts unable to find housing through the private market.

“The need has never been greater, so don’t let anyone tell you otherwise,” Ziegler told lawmakers.

He also lent his support to maintaining the $20 million authorization for the Low Income Housing Tax Credit, a program currently under review as part of the Patrick administration’s overhaul of tax expenditures and one scheduled to decrease to $10 million.

Rep. Denise Provost, a Somerville Democrat, testified to the need for affordable housing, particularly in communities like Somerville. “One of the unfortunate ways Massachusetts is leading the nation is the gap between its richer and poorer residents,” Provost said.

Provost said the foreclosure crisis left many former market rate units “vacant and deteriorating” and called Attorney General Martha Coakley’s receivership programs for foreclosed property a good idea but a “glacially slow process” that leaves little option in most cases but to gut the properties and covert homes into high-end condominiums.

“We need to be producing housing which is affordable to people who work and raise families, not just the very wealthy who happen to come to our communities. God bless their success, but we need something besides this increasingly competitive market,” Provost said.

END
04/04/2013

Serving the working press since 1910 http://www.statehousenews.com

This article also appeared in the Hingham Journal and online on Wicked Local Hingham.

URL: http://www.wickedlocal.com/hingham/newsnow/x846079493/State-House-News-Activists-cite-continuing-demand-in-push-for-major-spending-on-housing#axzz2PsUZUnoU

SourceState House News Service

Child Care Providers Push For Public Financing For Facilities

Wednesday, April 3, 2013, 11:53am
Child Care Providers Push For Public Financing For Facilities
Nonprofit child care providers, parents, and others are asking state officials to allocated $45 million in funding as part of the state’s housing bond bill in order to renovate or build preschool and afterschool centers for children across the state.
Currently, one of the primary sources of financing for child care providers who want to renovate or update their facilities is the Children’s Investment Fund, which is managed by the Community Economic Development Assistance Corporation (CEDAC), a public-private partnership. The fund has provided $10 million in financing for facilities upgrades over the past 20 years, but advocated say more money is needed.
“[Child care] providers want to ensure that their children have opportunities for healthy development and learning, but too often, those efforts are hampered by poor space,” said Mav Pardee, program manager for the fund, in a statement. “If they had greater access to capital resources, they could build space to support high quality programming. We’ve been pleased to help so many centers improve their physical plant, but we know there many still waiting for resources.”
In 2011, the Children’s Investment Fund released a study that assessed the state of childhood education facilities in Massachusetts. The research identified capital needs in both the physical condition and layout of many sites that undermine the Commonwealth’s ambitious educational policy goals.
Representatives from the United Way of Mass Bay and Merrimack Valley, the Greater Lawrence Community Action Council and the Massachusetts Association for Early Care and Education plan to testify in support of the bill at a hearing on Beacon Hill Thursday.

Banker & Tradesman ©2013 All Rights Reserved
URL: http://www.bankerandtradesman.com/news154487.html

SourceBanker & Tradesman

Grant will help College Bound Dorchester renovate

March 11, 2013

DORCHESTER
Grant will help College Bound Dorchester renovate
By Patrick D. Rosso, Town Correspondent
A grant from the Children’s Investment Fund will help College Bound Dorchester renovate its Samoset Street facility.
“Everyone understands that educational resources are important, but far too often people forget that a child’s learning experience is heavily influenced by the physical environment in which they are learning,” Mav Pardee, program manager for the fund, said in a statement. “By providing safe, well-designed surroundings, we can have a positive impact on teaching and learning.”
College Bound Dorchester will use a $100,000 loan and $50,000 Facilities Improvement Grant from the group to renovate 3,000-square-feet of its space, as well as add four new early education classrooms, said a release from the Children’s Investment Fund.
An affiliate of the Community Economic Development Assistance Corporation, the fund strives to expand early childhood education in some of the Commonwealth’s most undeserved communities. Money was also contributed to support renovations at the YMCA Southcoast in Fall River, MA.
“Organizations like College Bound and YMCA Southcoast understand the positive impact of good space for children, which makes them ideal partners for CIF,” Pardee said in a statement. “Fall River and Dorchester need high quality education opportunities for neighborhood children, and we are happy to help both organizations to improve their facilities and make those programs available.”
Started in 1965, College Bound Dorchester serves more than 900 families annually with its Early Education, Out of School Time, and College Connections programs, according to the non-profit’s website.
—
Email Patrick D. Rosso, patrick.d.rosso@gmail.com. Follow him @PDRosso, or friend him on Facebook.
URL: http://www.boston.com/yourtown/news/dorchester/2013/03/hold_grant_will_help_college_b.html
© 2013 NY Times Co

SourceBoston Globe (boston.com)

At the January EEC Board Meeting

January 28, 2013
At the January EEC Board Meeting
by Irene Sege
The Massachusetts Board of Early Education and Care voted to endorse a bond bill that includes $45 million in capital financing for non-profit providers of early education and out-of-school time services to build or renovate facilities. The bill follows the 2011 release of “Building an Infrastructure for Quality,” a report from Children’s Investment Fund, found shortcomings in safety, air quality, indoor space for physical activity and other measures.
Mav Pardee, director of the Children’s Investment Fund, updated the board on the Building Quality Campaign – a partnership comprised of the fund, Citizens Planning and Housing Association (CHAPA), and the United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley. The bond financing for early education and out-of-school-time facilities is included in CHAPA’s $1.2 billion housing and community development bond bill. Representative Jeffrey Sanchez has filed a separate facilities financing bill with the same language as a placeholder.
The legislation would make financing available to licensed non-profit providers with at least a quarter of their enrollment children from low-income families. Financing would range from 50-80% of total development costs, based on the number of children eligible for subsidies, and would be in the form of permanent deferred loans for a term of 30 years. (See Pardee’s PowerPoint.)
The January 8 meeting was also the last for former Secretary of Education Paul Reville, who has returned to the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Matthew Malone, former superintendent of the Brockton Public Schools, who was sworn in as the state’s new education secretary on January 14. JD Chesloff, chairman of the EEC board, presented Secretary Reville with a certificate of appreciation. Reville thanked the board and the entire early childhood field for what he termed their “inspiring commitment” to the young children of Massachusetts.
Emily Levine, our field and research associate, reports the board also discussed:
• Massachusetts Child Care Quality Cost Model. Consultants. Consultants Anne Mitchell of the Alliance for Early Childhood Finance, and Andrew Brodsky of Augenblick, Palaich and Associates, updated the board on an interactive model that allows users to cost out various elements of quality. It identifies factors that drive costs at various levels, from licensing through the tiers of the state’s Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS). It also estimates the cost implications of changing reimbursement rates and identifies current and potential funding strategies to support quality.
• Using research to advance the practice and impact of early education. The board heard a presentation and panel discussion (panelist bios) on current research projects on the professional development system; strategies for literacy, social-emotional development, numeracy and digital learning; Massachusetts Common Metric (funded by the federal Early Learning Challenge grant); QRIS validation (ELC funded); and home visiting grant.
• FY13 legislative report framework. Carol Nolan, EEC’s recently hired director of policy, outlined the framework for the departments FY13 report to the Legislature. The department will frame the year’s accomplishments and planned activities around the board’s five-year strategic plan and indicators of success. The board will vote on the final report at its February meeting.
The board will hold its next meeting on Tuesday, February 18, at the EEC central office at 51 Sleeper Street in Boston.

URL: http://eyeonearlyeducation.org/2013/01/28/at-the-january-eec-board-meeting-2/

SourceEye on Early Education: A blog of Strategies for Children, Inc.