On March 7th, Senate Bill 2697, An Act ensuring affordability, readiness and learning for our youth and driving economic development was released from the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. Senators have until Monday, March 11th to review the...

Massachusetts is experiencing a dual workforce challenge – a shrinking labor force and a lack of diversity in key sectors. Increased mobility due to the availability of remote work, high costs, and troubling demographic trends create challenges for...

As states across the country, including Massachusetts, are facing workforce shortages, employers are struggling to hire the talent they need to succeed and remain competitive in the marketplace. While there are many reasons behind the shortages, a...

In the last two years, MTF has deepened its engagement in child care policy due to the essential role it plays in creating economic opportunity across the state. Without it, parents cannot enter and remain in the workforce and employers cannot...

Over the last two years, the child care industry has been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic. Child care closures, labor shortages, and changing workforce patterns have upended a system that was already in crisis due to high costs and...

Over the past few years the issue of child care has gained momentum in national and state policy discussions. This has been especially true throughout the pandemic, as the public health emergency and economic fallout turned a dire child care...

The Briefing Covers:  MTF Preview: Economic Impact of Insufficient Child Care Child Care Funding 101 Early Education and Care Economic Review Commission Budget Updates What’s Next for MA Child Care Policy?  

Over the last two years, the federal government has spent trillions of dollars to combat the COVID-19 pandemic and spur an equitable economic recovery. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), Coronavirus Response and...

As we emerge from the pandemic, the need for robust pathways to economic opportunity is urgent. Students and businesses alike are demanding access to the skills needed for success in our dynamic economy. A recent report from the Department of...