A team of researchers at Urban Institute, in partnership with Kimberly Lucas from Northeastern University, conducted a yearlong study to develop recommendations for the design and implementation of an early childhood system in Massachusetts that meets the needs of families with children from birth through age 5. 

Why This Matters

The testimony recommends the creation of a Children’s Cabinet to support coordination of policies so Massachusetts families with children from birth through age 5 can more easily access information and connections to early childhood services. 

What We Found

• Many people in Massachusetts who participated in our study do not know where to find information about and connections to early childhood services. 

What We Recommend

• We recommend creating a Children’s Cabinet in Massachusetts as one strategy to address several problems documented by our project. 
• Doing so could yield more efficient and effective policies to support Massachusetts families with children from birth through age 5 who are seeking information about and connections to early childhood services.