Massachusetts Expands Support for Critical Childcare Option for Working Families After Years of Advocacy
State action strengthens support for caregivers who provide critical care for working families amid childcare crisis
BOSTON — Thousands of Massachusetts families may soon have greater access to childcare thanks to action taken today by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) Board to strengthen support for Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) caregivers, a critical but often overlooked part of the Commonwealth’s childcare system.
The action follows months of research, organizing, and advocacy by Care That Works, a coalition convened by Community Labor United, working alongside caregivers, parents, and policymakers to strengthen support for Family, Friend, and Neighbor care across Massachusetts.
The newly approved rates represent increases of up to 60 percent. The change follows years in which compensated Family, Friend, and Neighbor caregivers were paid about $5.30 per hour through the state’s Child Care Financial Assistance, roughly one-third of Massachusetts’ minimum wage. Meanwhile, less than 1% of the total CCFA budget or approximately $2 million (FY25) is directed toward FFN care. Under the new rates, providers will receive $16.68 per day for part-time care and $27.80 per day for full-time care. Advocates say the increase will help support a childcare option many families rely on, especially parents who work nights, weekends, early mornings, or other nontraditional hours.
“Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) caregivers are an important part of our early education and care system, providing trusted, flexible care that supports children and families across the Commonwealth,” said Early Education and Care Commissioner Amy Kershaw. “Today’s action by the Board to simplify, align, and increase rates promotes greater equity for informal childcare providers, and reflects the strong partnership and shared commitment between the Department of Early Education and Care and the Care That Works Coalition.”
“The Board is pleased to support this rate increase, which reflects the strong partnership between EEC and Care That Works,” said Paul Belsito, Chair of the Board of Early Education and Care. “Today’s vote recognizes the critical role Family, Friend, and Neighbor caregivers play in supporting children and families and strengthening the early education and care system across the Commonwealth.”
Family, Friend, and Neighbor caregivers – often grandparents, aunts, uncles, family friends, and neighbors – are a largely unrecognized part of Massachusetts’ childcare workforce. They step in when formal care is unavailable or unaffordable, making it possible for parents to stay in the workforce.
Yet despite their essential role, many have historically earned very low pay through the state’s subsidy system and have done so without the stability, benefits, or recognition associated with other parts of the childcare system. Advocates say this long-standing underinvestment has left a key part of Massachusetts’ childcare infrastructure under-supported, even as families have come to rely on it every day.
“Unfortunately, some parents have to sacrifice their jobs to maintain stable childcare,” said Betty McGuire, a member of New England Community Project and a grandmother providing FFN childcare in Mattapan and Dorchester. “When families can’t find childcare that works with their schedules, they are forced to make impossible choices. Supporting Family, Friend, and Neighbor care helps more parents stay employed while knowing their children are safe and cared for.”
Massachusetts families continue to face some of the highest childcare costs in the nation, with annual costs exceeding $21,000 per child. At the same time, many communities lack sufficient childcare options, particularly for families working outside traditional business hours.
“By advancing pay parity for FFN caregivers, we are affirming the value of their work, supporting the families who rely on them, and taking an important step toward a childcare system that reflects the realities of how families care for their children. When we invest in caregivers, we invest in children, families, and the future of our Commonwealth,” said State Representative Marjorie Decker.
Despite serving thousands of Massachusetts families, less than one percent of the Commonwealth’s childcare subsidy funding currently supports FFN care. Advocates say today’s action will help preserve and strengthen an essential part of the state’s childcare infrastructure while expanding access for families who depend on it.
“When we invest in Family, Friend, and Neighbor care, we invest in the families, children, and communities that depend on it. Informal care providers are a critical part of the childcare system, and the Board’s important vote today increases their rates, helping strengthen a critical yet often-overlooked part of the childcare system,” said State Senator Sal N. DiDomenico. “I am proud to stand with the Care That Works Coalition, and I applaud the EEC Board’s decision today, because when it comes to meeting the needs of children and working families, we cannot say ‘tomorrow.’ Children need care today, and today’s action is an important step toward ensuring they receive the support they deserve.”
“Without Family, Friend, and Neighbor care, I don’t know how my family would make it work,” said Joanne Freeman, a working parent of New England Community Project. “Like so many parents, I rely on someone I trust to care for my children while I’m at work. This investment helps ensure families like mine continue to have access to the childcare we depend on every day.”
“For years, parents, caregivers, and community organizations in our coalition have been working to bring attention to the essential role Family, Friend, and Neighbor care plays in supporting Massachusetts families,” said Susanna Bohme, Research Director at Community Labor United. “These caregivers make it possible for parents to work, yet many were effectively paid about $5.30 an hour through the state’s subsidy system. Today’s vote is an important step toward strengthening childcare access and recognizing the value of this care in our communities.”
Supporters say the action reflects years of advocacy by caregivers, parents, and community organizations and represents an important investment in Massachusetts’ care infrastructure and workforce stability.
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About Care That Works
Care That Works (CTW) is a coalition of grassroots community groups and labor unions that organize working parents and grandparents, nannies and au pairs, family childcare providers, and center-based childcare workers in Greater Boston and across Massachusetts.
