Present Virtual Forum on the Massachusetts Common Start Legislation: Understanding Its Impact on Cape Cod’s Families and Providers

League of Women Voters of the Cape Cod Area

&

Common Start Coalition, Cape Cod & Islands Chapter

Present

Virtual Forum on the Massachusetts Common Start Legislation:  Understanding Its Impact on Cape Cod’s Families and Providers

Saturday, February 5, 2022, 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM

Join us for a public forum and panel discussion highlighting how parents, childcare providers, the business community, and Massachusetts lawmakers have worked together to develop model legislation to address the need for affordable childcare and a “common start” in life for all Massachusetts children.

Learn how the proposed  Common Start legislation can help the Commonwealth’s children get an equal start in life, strengthen our economy and our workforce, meet the needs of working parents, and reduce racial, gender, and income inequality in our state.

Guest Speakers

• State Senator Susan Moran—Senate Sponsor
• State Representative Kip Diggs—Joint Committee on Education
• Janae Mendes, a parent
• Rafaela Fonseca, Family Child Care Program Provider
• Lynda Allen, Executive Director, Crystal Garden Children’s Learning Center
• Noelle Pina, Chief of Staff, Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce
• Debra Murphy, Early Childhood Coordinator, Cape Cod Community College
• Amy O’Leary, Executive Director, Strategies for Children

Massachusetts is a nationwide leader in early education and childcare, but the state’s current system is broken. Access to quality early education and childcare remains out of reach for too many families. The Common Start legislation—H.605/S.362—will provide direct-to-provider assistance, equitable pay for workers, family subsidies, and grants to support professional development.

Open to the public! All welcome!  Spanish & Portuguese Translation Available!    Register  at   https://tinyurl.com/Common-Start-Forum