Governor Maura Healey’s administration is allocating $31.2 million from the fiscal 2026 Fair Share supplemental budget to expand financial assistance for child‑care across Massachusetts. The funding will enable roughly 2,100 more children to receive vouchers or contracted seats, and it will also assist about 580 children of early‑education staff who are currently on the statewide waitlist.
How the money will be used
The Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) will distribute the new resources in phases, prioritizing families who have waited the longest. Existing wait‑list families will not need to reapply; EEC will coordinate with regional Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) agencies and contracted providers to notify families as seats become available.
In Worcester and much of Central Massachusetts, the local CCR&R agency is Child Care Resources, operated by Seven Hills Family Services at 799 West Boylston St. Families can call 508‑796‑1821 between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. on weekdays for assistance. Residents in other communities can locate their nearest office through the state’s CCR&R directory.
Targeting the child‑care workforce
More than 2,000 children of early‑education and care staff sit on the statewide waitlist. EEC expects to help about 580 of those children—roughly one in four of the current list—thereby supporting the workforce that cares for Massachusetts’ youngest learners.
Legislative and community support
Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D‑Ashland) praised the expansion, saying it will give “young families peace of mind during turbulent economic times.” Senate Education Committee chair Jason Lewis highlighted the Fair Share Amendment’s revenue from the 4 % surtax on high earners, which voters approved in November 2022, as the source of the new money.
Rep. Ken Gordon, chair of the House education committee, called expanding child‑care “one of the most valuable investments we can make.”
How families can apply
Parents may apply online through MyChildCareMA, the department’s multilingual portal. The site allows families to upload documents, track application status, and respond to funding offers from a phone or computer. Eligibility rules and guidance are posted on the Child Care Financial Assistance page.
The administration previously raised the income limit for the program from 50 % to 85 % of the state median income, widening eligibility for many households.
Why this matters for Massachusetts families
Child‑care costs remain a major expense for working families. By expanding assistance, the state aims to reduce financial strain, keep parents in the workforce, and strengthen the early‑education workforce that underpins children’s long‑term success. The phased rollout ensures that the most vulnerable families receive help first, aligning with the administration’s commitment to support traditional families and promote individual liberty through access to honest information about available resources.
Original reporting: This Week in Worcester — read the source article.
