“SEIU 509 applauds the House’s move today to extend sustainability grants for family child care providers, and we are excited to see the Healey administration’s proposal in her budget which would continue to fund these grants through the next fiscal year and make other essential investments in stabilizing our child care system.
For years, educators have navigated the challenges of working in a profession that is undervalued and underfunded. Through tenacity, innovation, and dedication to their communities, they have continued to provide quality early education and helped shape a bright future for children across the Commonwealth. The extension of sustainability grants, if enacted, will continue to support their work as educators and move us closer to an early education system that addresses the workforce crisis as well as the needs of children and families.
The majority of SEIU 509 family child care providers are immigrant women and women of color who work with children in gateway cities. The House and Governor’s parallel actions to invest in the workforce align with our union’s values around racial and economic justice. We look forward to working together with the legislature and the Healey administration to ensure early educators have the support they deserve as the budget process continues.”
David Foley
SEIU Local 509 President
