By Mike Chen

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The Healey-Driscoll Administration has officially unveiled the Employer Child Care Innovation Fund (ECCIF), channeling $2.5 million into a pilot program aimed at boosting child care options for working families in Massachusetts. The ECCIF will be managed through a partnership between the Commonwealth Corporation Foundation, the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC), and Executive Offices of Economic Development (EOED) and Labor and Workforce Development (EOLWD), as detailed in an announcement on the state’s official website.

Aligning with the Administration’s agenda and the governor’s Child Care Task Force priorities, the ECCIF seeks to help employers create more affordable, high-quality child care. According to Governor Maura Healey on Mass.gov, “We know that far too many parents are being held back from returning to the workforce because of the daunting cost of child care.” The fund is designed to aggressively foster workplace efficiencies and serve as an economic growth driver. As a competitive funding mechanism, the ECCIF aims to award three to five grants over two years, ranging from $250,000 to $1 million. Each grant requires an employer match—cash or in-kind—to double down on these investments.

In a bid to test innovative models that make child care more affordable and accessible, the ECCIF will entertain a range of project proposals. As outlined on the official announcement, viable projects could include a mix of shared-cost programs, expansions or reservations within local child care settings, and the development of onsite or nearby child care facilities, among others.

“Accessible, affordable, and quality child care is an essential support for our workers and employers, especially as we drive greater equity, affordability, and competitiveness across Massachusetts,” said Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Lauren Jones on Mass.gov. This pilot program is set to further promote equity by prioritizing high-demand sectors, underserved populations, and sustainability post-pilot. Businesses have until 4 p.m. on Monday, November 3, to submit their applications and tap into this initiative aimed at empowering both the workforce and the broader economy.

Educational and workforce development pundits are praising this move as a significant step toward addressing a core need of working families. The ECCIF holds a particular focus on aiding historically underserved communities and those operating outside standard business hours. The intention is to catalyze public-private collaborations that create lasting impacts on communities and the state’s economic trajectory. The Commonwealth Corporation Foundation’s Executive Director, Alanna Mallon, voiced her organization’s excitement, affirming on Mass.gov that, “The Employer Child Care Innovation Fund is a call to action, empowering employers and communities to lead transformative solutions that break down barriers to child care, fuel our workforce, and strengthen the economic future of Massachusetts.”

An array of stakeholders, including Massachusetts employers in good standing and licensed non-profit early education and child care providers, are eligible to apply. The initiative extends to non-profit intermediaries such as community colleges and foundations, aiming to enlist a diverse mix of community players in reshaping early education and care options in Massachusetts.