Press Release  AG Healey Announces New Grant Program to Improve Care for At-Risk Children

Boston — Attorney General Maura Healey announced today a new $355,000 grant program to strengthen trauma-informed early education and care practices for Massachusetts providers.

“Children who have experienced violence, substance use, and other trauma are especially in need of high quality care,” said AG Healey. “This grant will provide funding to strengthen these programs to help our most vulnerable children succeed.” 

The Trauma-Informed Care for Young Children Grant Program will fund training and capacity building of early education and care providers to address the needs of children experiencing trauma. Examples of trauma include violence, separation from a loved one, stress due to poverty, or related to the opioid crisis. Equipping providers to best support these children and address their needs results in a higher functioning classroom setting and a higher quality of care for vulnerable children.

The AG’s Office is specifically interested in applications that include sustained support and training. The AGO will also give preference to applicants who demonstrate how they plan to build capacity within early education and care programs. The AG’s Office encourages joint applications from providers and support organizations that will work together to implement the proposed project.

Grants will be awarded with an anticipated start date of April 1, 2019. The maximum grant period will be two (2) years. This grant will be funded by the proceeds of a previous settlement with Care.com, which, in 2018, resolved allegations that they misled Massachusetts families about the comprehensiveness of its background check products through a payment to the state and by providing restitution to consumers. Applications to this grant program must be received by 5 p.m. on February 8, 2019.

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