Advocates eye legislative action to raise pay for informal child caregivers

BOSTON (SHNS) - Grandparents and other family members, friends and neighbors who provide informal child care could receive a pay raise under a revamped compensation system promoted by providers of color and those living in areas with large immigrant communities.

Dozens of providers sporting green Brockton Workers Alliance shirts came to Beacon Hill on Tuesday, some with young children in tow, to share their personal experience in the license-exempt family, friend and neighbor (FFN) caregiver arena, where they earn low wages from public vouchers. They advocated for legislation from Rep. Marjorie Decker and Sen. Sal DiDomenico (H 542 / S 341) that would expand flexibility of child care vouchers, ensure FFN providers earn at least the state minimum wage, and establish an advisory board on FF