Governor Opens Applications for Loan Repayments Dedicated to Early Childhood Educators

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BOSTON — The Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced the opening of applications for the Early Childhood Educator (ECE) Loan Repayment Program, the first state loan repayment program created exclusively for early education and care professionals. 
 
The program was developed through a partnership between the Departments of Higher Education (DHE) and Early Education and Care (EEC). 
 
The $15 million ECE Loan Repayment Program is designed to support workforce retention by reducing the financial burden of student loan debt for eligible educators across a variety of settings. This includes those working in Family Child Care (FCC), center-based programs, after school and out-of-school time (ASOST) programs, residential placement programs and contracted FCC systems who work directly with children, families, or other educators.  
 
The program will provide up to $7,500 per recipient per year, subject to appropriation.   
 
"If we want a strong early education system, we need to support the educators who make it possible," said Governor Maura Healey. "Early educators support children's development, help parents to participate in the workforce, and strengthening our local economies. By helping relieve the burden of student loan debt, we're making it easier for talented educators to stay in the field and continue supporting children and families across Massachusetts." 
 
To be eligible, applicants must have completed a bachelor's degree in a qualifying program of study at an eligible public or private institution of higher education in Massachusetts after July 1, 2013, and must be working in an EEC-licensed or funded early education and care program. Priority will be given to educators who have served five years or more in the field, as well as those who work in communities that predominantly serve children and families with high needs or in regions facing shortages of early education and care seats. 
 
While early educators have previously been eligible for general loan repayment opportunities throughout Massachusetts, this marks the first time the state has established a loan repayment program solely dedicated to early education and care professionals.  
 
In addition to loan forgiveness, Governor Healey's Early Education and Child Care Task Force has been focusing on expanding career pathways through higher education opportunities and the administration administers an Early Childhood Educators scholarship that helps students pay for an associates, bachelor's or?master's degree. As President Trump continues to try and make higher education more expensive, Massachusetts is making it more affordable for educators to stay in the workforce. Recently, Governor Healey called on the Trump Administration to reverse plans that would sharply limit access to low-cost federal student loans for graduate degrees in high-need, high-value fields, including education.  
 
The ECE Loan Repayment Program was developed collaboratively by DHE and EEC to ensure alignment with workforce needs and state priorities. The program received $7.5 million in the state's fiscal year 2025 (FY25) budget and an additional $7.5 million through the FY25 Fair Share supplemental budget, bringing total available funding to approximately $15 million. A portion of funding is for program development and implementation. 
 
Applications are open now through June 1, 2026, and interested educators are encouraged to apply. For more information about eligibility requirements, including qualifying programs, how to apply and upcoming information sessions, visit Mass.edu/ECELoanRepayment
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Show-Cause Hearing for Pittsfield Bar Continued Again

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Bei Tempi will have a show-cause hearing for its liquor license in May after police brought forward pictures that appear to show underage patrons drinking.  

On Monday, the Licensing Board continued a hearing for Zuke's Soups and Variety LLC, doing business as Bei Tempi, to May 18. This is the second month it was continued. In the last year, the bar has been accused of underage service by two different parents.  

Earlier this year, Police Capt. Matthew Hill received a call from an upset parent about her 19-year-old daughter patronizing Iztac Mexican Restaurant at night and being served. 

Those photos resulted in a two-week liquor license suspension for Iztac, and the same mother submitted an almost identical complaint about Bei Tempi with photos, one of them with the owner "clearly visible" in the background, Hill said. 

The owners, Richard and Elizabeth Zucco, did not show up in March, and the hearing was continued again this month. 

"This show-cause hearing was scheduled for March 23 of 2026 and the licensee did not appear at that hearing, although I understand that notice went out by way of email," Chair Thomas Campoli reported after the bar's second no-show, adding that the Zuccos' lawyer communicated they had a "planned prepaid trip" that conflicted with the meeting. 

Last year, a different mother approached the Licensing Board asking for accountability after her underage child was allegedly served at Bei Tempi. After drinking at a graduation party, she said her 18-year-old son became further intoxicated at the establishment before returning home late and becoming combative, resulting in an arrest by police. 

In March, the pictures of alleged underage drinking at Iztac were printed and presented to the Licensing Board with faces blurred; the reporting party wished to remain anonymous along with her daughter and friend, and she was unable to attend the hearing. 

Hill ran the patrons' names through police records to confirm they were not 21. This is the same underage daughter who is said to have drunk at Bei Tempi, and her mother has provided photos. 

The Health Department ordered Iztac to close on March 13 after finding "pests" in the establishment.  On Monday, a notice stating that it was closed to the public to protect public health and safety was no longer on the door but the Health Department confirmed that the closure was still in effect. 

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