Massachusetts Child

Massachusetts Child

The Massachusetts Child is a charitable corporation established to assist local associations and its members in meeting the medical, clothing and educational needs of students in short-term crisis: a warm coat, new eyeglasses, a visit to the doctor and more.

The Matching Grant Program allows financial assistance to be shared between The Massachusetts Child and the SEA provided the following criteria, eligibility requirements and limitations are met.

The matching grant program is intended to offer financial assistance when all other avenues have been exhausted. Grants are intended to supplement, not supplant, existing programs. (For example, many local Lions Clubs offer free eye examinations and eyeglasses to community members.)

Qualified expenses are those that directly benefit the student and make it possible for the student to succeed in school. Gift Certificates and gift cards given directly to students and/or their families are not reimbursable. Examples of expenses are:

Covered:

Basic Medical Exams

Basic Dental Procedures

Prescriptions

Outerwear

Footwear

Books, Supplies, Materials that are not provided by the educational institution

Educational Field Trips

NOT Covered:

Housing Expenses

Food

Gift Cards or Gift Certificates

Automobile Fuel or Utilities

Graduation Attire, Yearbooks or Class Dues

Contributions to Other Social or Charitable Agencies and Fund Drives

Camperships or Scholarships

Book Clubs

User Fees

Class, Holiday or Recreational Trips

The SEA is pleased to be able to offer you this opportunity to lessen a hardship experienced by a Springfield public school student. If you have a student who has a financial need that you believe can be assisted through a grant from The Massachusetts Child, download, complete, and mail the application to the SEA at 1000 Wilbraham Road, Springfield, 01109 .

The SEA Executive Board will review your request and you will be notified of the Board's determination of eligibility.

Requirements/Limitations

Funds cannot be given directly to the student or the family. SEA members need to make all the purchases and/or payments themselves and keep proof of the expenditure. Proof of expenditure must be submitted to the SEA in order to receive reimbursement. If a physician is willing to provide services such as a basic medical or eye exam, or a pharmacy is willing to fill a prescription and bill a teacher, the SEA will consider this and make the payment directly to the physician/pharmacy if approved. In this situation, a teacher should submit an application for approval prior to the physician/pharmacy rendering a service.

Download 2008 - 2009 Application