Coronavirus
Two Jamaica Plain Child Care Centers Receive American Rescue Plan Act Funds
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Twenty-one Boston child care centers, including two in Jamaica Plain, are receiving funds dedicated to supporting child care centers and essential workers who work non-traditional hours. In Jamaica Plain, the Shattuck Child Care Center and Wee Care JP Childcare Center are two grantees receiving funds from the city's Office of Early Childhood totaling $5,600,000 that are part of Boston’s equitable and sustainable recovery from the COVID-19, and are funded by the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). “Investing in a robust and accessible childcare system is an investment in our collective future,” said Mayor Michelle Wu via press release. “With this grant, we can support childcare centers to expand their services for our essential workers, and provide better opportunities for childcare workers who serve as the backbone of youth development.”
Grantees will receive immediate compensation relief to child care workers to provide higher wages, hiring and retention bonuses, and other compensation incentives, according to a press release. Child care centers will also look to address low wages by receiving training and technical assistance to develop a compensation plan for their business that raises teacher pay to a minimum of $22 per hour by 2025.