Community Partnerships for Children

What are Community Partnerships for Children?

What are Community Partnerships for Children?

Community Partnerships for Children are programs that help make quality preschool education and services available to low-income families. The CPC programs have five goals:

• to help low-income families get financial assistance for preschool
• to get families, businesses, and community organizations involved in early childhood care and education
• to give support services to preschool children and their families (for example, parenting education, referrals, and health and nutrition services)
• to make sure that preschool teachers and caregivers are well-trained and licensed
• to reach out to families who might not plan to send their children to preschool

The Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) funds the CPC programs. Community organizations apply for grants to start Community Partnership programs in their communities. Depending on where you live, your CPC program may be run by your local public school department, community action council, or other community organization interested in early childhood programs.

In some communities, CPC programs have recently consolidated with other EEC-funded programs to provide a comprehensive system of early childhood education and family support services.

Am I eligible?

Community Partnership programs are for families who:

• are residents of Massachusetts
• meet the income limits (see below)
• have a child between the ages of 2 years 9 months and entrance age for kindergarten, and 
• show a need for child care because of work, school, job training, disability, homelessness, or age/retirement. In families with two parents, both parents must show a need.

  See How do I show a need for child care? in the Income-eligible Child Care section.

Noncitizens who meet the eligibility requirements can attend Community Partnership programs. Your immigration status does not matter.

What are the income limits?

Community Partnerships for Children programs use the same income limits as income-eligible child care. See What are the income limits? in the Income-eligible Child Care section.

What benefits will I get?

You will get full-time or part-time preschool for your child, depending on your service need.

The amount you will pay is based on your income and your family size. Preschool is free if your family's income is below the Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG).

For other families, Massachusetts uses a sliding fee scale. Families with lower incomes or more children pay less per child than families with higher incomes or fewer children. The sliding fee scale is set by the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC).

The sliding fee scale is the same scale used for income-eligible child care. See How much does it cost? in the Income-eligible Child Care section.

How do I apply?

You can apply for Community Partnerships for Children (CPC) at:

• your local CPC program
• a Child Care Resource & Referral agency (CCR&R)
• a contracted child care provider

To find your local CPC program:

• Use the Find CPC / Lead Agency search tool on the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) web site  
• Select your city or town from the drop-down menu
• Click on "Search"
   
• or see CPC Lead Agencies for an alphabetical list of all CPC programs in Massachusetts

To apply at a CCR&R or contracted care provider, see Where do I apply? in the Income-eligible child care section.

You may also call 1-800-345-0131 for more information.

There is a statewide centralized waiting list for CPC preschool programs. This is the same waiting list used for income-eligible child care vouchers and contracted slots.

If you are in a priority category, you will move ahead of non-priority families on the waiting list. Otherwise, families are offered financial assistance on a first come, first served basis. You can find information about the waiting list and priority categories under How do I apply? in the Income-eligible Child Care section.

Useful links

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1. Community Partnerships for Children (CPC) Lead Agencies
   From the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care, a list of local agencies offering CPC programs. Includes contact information.

Community Partnerships for Children section last updated on 7/22/09