CIF Director Theresa Jordan, Education Secretary Patrick Tutwiler, State Representative Adrian Madaro, East Boston Social Centers (EBSC) Executive Director Justin Pasquariello, Senator Sal DiDomenico, an EBSC educator and student, and EEC Commissioner Amy Kershaw.
Last Monday, the Healey-Driscoll administration announced that 20 programs from across Massachusetts will receive a combined $8.5 million in funding which will aid in updating their facilities. The announcement was made at an event hosted by Education Secretary Patrick Tutwiler and Early Education and Care Commissioner Amy Kershaw. East Boston Social Centers served as the venue for the day’s ceremonies.
The grants provide programs with the financial resources to create safe and modern environments for children. Lt. Governor Driscoll notes that the funds will enable the programs to make improvements related to energy efficiency, ventilation, safety, security, and outdoor play.
The funding is administered by the partnership of the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC), CEDAC, and its affiliate, the Children’s Investment Fund (CIF). The sources of funding for these grants include the Early Education and Out of School Time (EEOST) Capital Fund for non-profit organizations and the Early Education and Care Provider Capital Grant (EECPCG) for for-profit organizations. The EEOST Capital Fund was recently reauthorized for $50 million over the next several years through the Affordable Homes Act, the $5.16 billion legislation passed in August to increase affordable housing in the state.
The awards range from $200,000-$500,000. East Boston Social Centers, Kid-Start in Lawrence, L.P. College in New Bedford, and North Adams’ Child Care of the Berkshires were among the awarded programs. CIF anticipates another announcement of funding for the EEOST Capital Fund’s large grant program later this fall.
