The Massachusetts Child

MTA locals with fewer than 500 members are eligible for reimbursement grants of up to $1,000 during the course of the school year. Locals with 500 or more members can receive grants totaling $2 per member.

Standard grants can be used to reimburse purchases of clothing, shoes, hygiene products and eyeglasses, as well as school supplies that are not usually provided by the district such as backpacks, notebooks and pens. Many locals use the grants to make sure that students have appropriate winter clothing. Grants have also been used to assist vocational school students with license fees, work clothing and supplies that are not provided by the school.

Items must be purchased for particular students. Mass Child will not reimburse “bulk” purchases of items to be distributed to students throughout the year.

Mass Child cannot reimburse purchases of food or gift cards.

Mass Child grants cannot be used to purchase devices that would fall under a student’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or that are the responsibility of the district.

A local does not need to apply for all of its eligible funds in one application.

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Thanks to a generous donation from Blue Cross Blue Shield, Mass Child can reimburse local associations for assistance that educators provide students affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. This grant will address any need stemming from the impact of COVID-19. In addition to the supplemental education items covered by the Remote Learning Grants introduced in the spring, grants from the COVID-19 Relief Fund can be applied to the purchase of technology, such as headphones and devices used by students working remotely. These grants can also be used to help students experiencing food insecurity or be in need of personal protective equipment. Every MTA preK-12 local can submit reimbursement applications throughout the school year for up to $1,000 in COVID-19 Relief Funds. COVID-19 Relief Funds are available in addition to the Standard Grants.

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Summer Reading Grants are designed to get books into the hands of students for their enjoyment.

Mass Child received a large donation in 2018 specifically for literacy initiatives. This led to the creation of the Summer Reading Grant, designed to get books into the hands of students for their enjoyment. Locals with 500 or fewer members can apply for up to $200, and locals with more than 500 members are eligible for $500. Books must be intended for specific children in need. Ideally the book selections will not be required reading, but books that students themselves choose to read during the summer break. The application process for Summer Reading Grants begins on May 1.

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Help for students so that they can participate in extracurricular activities requiring school-based fees.

Thanks to a grant from the blumshapiro Foundation, Mass Child can provide some assistance with funding for extracurricular activities. Local associations can apply for up to $100 to reimburse financial assistance provided to students so they can participate in extracurricular activities requiring school-based fees. For example, the grant can be used toward a needy student’s portion of the cost for field trip admission fees or transportation and for fees required to participate in enrichment opportunities, clubs or athletic teams. To see if an expense qualifies for reimbursement, email Mass Child Board President Nicole Prevost at suzzyjojo@aol.com or MTA Staff Consultant Scott McLennan at smclennan@massteacher.org.

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