Recent MADCA News

(Pictured, Left to Right) William Eddy, Executive Director, Massachusetts Association of Early Education & Care; Clare Higgins, Executive Director, Community Action.

View the full testimony HERE

Mass Legislature invites MADCA to testify on Early Education Priorities

March 24, 2025 The Legislature’s Joint Committee on Ways & Means invited William Eddy and Board Member Clare Higgins to join Commissioner Kershaw on March 24th to testify on Early Education Priorities before the 50 legislator panel. Mr. Eddy and Ms. Higgins presented opening statements and spent 30 minutes answering legislators questions on topics such as the EEC waitlist/expanding access to care, rate reserve//educator salaries & C3 grants/provider stability. We are appreciative of the leadership of House Chairman Michlewitz and Senate Chairman Rodrigues and their continued support of early education.

(Pictured, Left to Right) Clare Higgins, Executive Director, Community Action, Greenfield; Amy Kershaw, Commissioner, Massachusetts Department of Early Education & Care; Senator Joanne Comerford, Stephen Huntley, Executive Director of Valley Opportunity Council, Holyoke; William Eddy, Executive Director, Massachusetts Association of Early Education & Care.

Early Education Providers Recognize Sen. Comerford

December 2, 2024 The Massachusetts Association of Early Education & Care, a statewide Association of early education programs from North Adams to Boston, today recognized Senator Joanne Comerford (D-Northampton) with the 2024 Legislative Achievement Award. The award recognizes Senator Comerford’s efforts on behalf of early education programs and the children and families they serve. The award was presented at the Sheraton-Framingham hotel in front of 100 early education program leaders. The award was presented by Stephen Huntley, President of the Association and Executive Director of Valley Opportunity Council in Holyoke and Clare Higgins, Board Member of the Association and Executive Director of Community Action in Greenfield. Award Presentation “Jo Comerford has been an advocate for children and families since well before her election as our Senator. She learned about the childcare crisis because she lived it with her own children,” stated Ms. Higgins. “Senator Comerford has used her experience and her policy acumen to change the way childcare is supported in the Commonwealth and we are all much better off because of her service.” “The Commonwealth must make childcare more affordable and improve wages for those who serve the youngest among us,” said Senator Jo Comerford (D-Northampton). “I am deeply grateful to the Massachusetts Association of Early Education & Care for its steadfast advocacy for early education and humbled by this Legislative Achievement Award.”