EEC is seeking to establish a list of qualified researchers, evaluators, and consultants, either individuals or organizations, from which it will draw on an “as needed” basis to provide data, conduct research and perform periodic studies, surveys and evaluations of EEC program initiatives. The researchers, evaluators, and consultants may gather, analyze data and/or provide expertise necessary for EEC to develop and implement child care policies and programs that promote the best outcomes for children, families and communities across the Commonwealth.
The Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) is the state agency responsible for licensing the Commonwealth’s child care programs and administering the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ human and social services subsidized child care system. EEC is committed to making available quality child care which is responsive to the needs of children in care and their families. EEC periodically receives funding from the Federal and State government to implement pilot programs that are designed to provide specialized services and care to children and their families. Additionally, EEC conducts research to assess the effectiveness of different child care policy options. The collected data is shared with EEC’s Board, the Secretary of Education the Legislature and the child care community in making informed child care policy decisions. EEC is seeking to compile a list of qualified individuals and/or organizations to assist it in providing data, conducting research, developing and implementing pilot programs, and in accessing expertise related to child care licensing and subsidy issues and quality of care issues. More specifically, if selected, a researcher/evaluator consultant may assist EEC in writing grant proposals for child care research. This may involve formulating a methodology or design for conducting research that is explained in a grant proposal and later implemented if the project is funded. A research/evaluator consultant may also be required to conduct periodic studies or evaluate pilot programs already in place or to provide expertise that EEC needs to design or implement initiatives effectively. As projects arise, EEC will notify the “Qualified” research/evaluation consultants about the project and may require that they submit additional information regarding specific experience they may have regarding the subject matter in addition to their proposed methods for conducting the research and/or evaluation. A qualified research/evaluation consultant may provide verified data to inform EEC policy and program development. The actual scope of the work to be performed and rate of compensation would be negotiated prior to contract execution.