Local organizations awarded funds for early education, childcare program renovations

Date: 11/13/2023

The Chicopee Child Development Center and Springfield Boys & Girls Club Family Center were two out of 20 organizations across the state to be awarded grant funding for early education and childcare program renovations.

On Oct. 31, the Healey-Driscoll administration announced $8.5 million in Early Education and Out-of-School Time capital funding grants to renovate early education and out-of-school time facilities that mainly serve low-income families.

According to the Department of Early Education and Care, “These capital grants support major renovations and construction projects to expand capacity and improve the quality of learning environments for children, ensuring they have safe and developmentally appropriate spaces to learn and play.”

It continued, “These grants will improve program facilities, add classrooms and in many cases expand the number of children served by increasing the number of state-subsidized child care spots across Massachusetts.”

Both organizations in Chicopee and Springfield received $500,000 in funding, which was the maximum amount one could receive.

Chicopee Child Development Center Program Director Lori Nickerson shared that the capital grant will be used to fund a window replacement project at its James Street location.

The building, which was constructed in the 1950s by the United States Army Corp of Engineers, utilizes a single pane steel window system that is not energy efficient. “It has been a challenge for us to regulate minimum and maximum temperatures in our building with the current window system and they provide for a minimal amount of natural ventilation since some of the windows are no longer operable,” Nickerson said. “Replacing the existing window system will provide a much more energy efficient building and lower operating costs which is important considering we are a nonprofit organization. Of course, lower operating costs will ultimately contribute to our overall sustainability. The new window system will provide plenty of natural ventilation and will improve thermal comfort levels.”

The Chicopee Childhood Development Center applied for this grant, which Nickerson said was “very competitive.”

To qualify, the program had to be a nonprofit agency that operates year-round. It also needed to be licensed by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care and in “good standing.” Additionally, low-income families had to account for at least 50% of the program’s enrollment, she explained.

“We are fortunate to be one of 20 programs across the state of Massachusetts to receive this much needed funding,” Nickerson said.

She went on to say, “This funding means that we can offer our children and families a more comfortable environment for learning. It has given us the opportunity to apply our current resources to improve on other important areas of our program such as learning materials, professional development for our educators, and other much needed building enhancements. This grant award will make a world of difference to the staff and families at CCDC and we are so grateful.”

Springfield Boys & Girls Club Family Center Executive Director Keshawn Dobbs shared that the funding will be used for existing project maintenance.

He noted that the center is still in the “quiet phase” of the internal capital project, however, this funding will assist with the plumbing and other interior work so that the center can “move forward with expansion.”

Dobbs said he is “truly grateful” to have received funding in this “competitive” grant round.

He shared that it will help not only the center improve its programs, but also the city and young people it serves.

“The [Early Education and Out-of-School Time] grants are financed through the state’s capital budget and leverage private investments with matching funds. They are administered by the Department of Early Education and Care in partnership with the Children’s Investment Fund, an affiliate of the Community Economic Development Assistance Corporation,” said the Department of Early Education & Care.

The Healey-Driscoll administration’s fiscal year 2024-2028 Capital Investment Plan increased these grants by $4 million a year for four years. The application for FY24 funding will be available soon.