In Massachusetts, many families with children from birth through age 5 lack a system for accessing information about and connections to early childhood services. As a result, many families cannot easily find what they need. 

To document the extent of the problem and to identify recommendations, the Urban Institute carried out a yearlong project with Kimberly Lucas from Northeastern University. The research team documented the context of early childhood information and connections to services in Massachusetts and developed recommendations. 

Why This Matters

The recommendations in this report, which are informed by over 100 people in Massachusetts, can provide evidence to decisionmakers working on building and creating a system of information about and connections to early childhood services. 

What We Found

• We found a pressing need among families with children from birth to age 5 to obtain information about and connections to early childhood services. 
• We found families perceive a patchwork rather than a coordinated system of information about and connections to early childhood services. 
• We found some components of an early childhood system are viewed as valuable when organized at the state level, whereas other decisions need to be made locally and tailored to community context and needs. 

What We Recommend

• We recommend legislation and a sustained state investment to support the creation and implementation of local early childhood infrastructure in each community in Massachusetts. 
• We recommend specific actions at the state and community levels, as well as collaboration among leaders from the public, philanthropic, and business sectors.