COO Stacey Forrest Explains State Agency Acronyms and Transition to Adult Services on Thrive, Support, and Advocacy Podcast

On Talk of the Commonwealth, Hank Stolz spoke with Stacey Forrest, Chief Operating Officer of Thrive Support and Advocacy, about the vital role of the organization’s Family Support Center on Grove Street. Serving more than 500 families across Worcester County, the center provides free, comprehensive services to families supporting a loved one with an intellectual or developmental disability. Forrest emphasized the importance of community involvement, noting that individuals with disabilities experience stronger health and well-being when they have meaningful friendships. The Family Support Center offers dedicated coordinators to guide families through complex state applications and connect them with resources, ensuring they have a reliable partner at every step.

Thrive CEO Sean Rose shares the magic behind “A Prom for All Ages” and highlights the urgent need to support Thrive’s food pantry and vital community services.

Thrive CEO Sean Rose shares details on A Prom for All Ages at Polar Park, vocational programs, and how businesses can support inclusive opportunities. Learn more!

On this edition of the Thrive podcast, President and CEO Sean Rose, talks about the fact that for the first time in over a decade Thrive is now fully staffed. Rose said that recruitment has been difficult. Thrive has had to be creative to attract and retain staff including how they approach wages. Thrive has been able to hire a number of newcomers, particularly from Haiti, to fill a number of positions. Now, by being fully staffed, they have been able to unlock a number of backlogged services and supporting a number of families and caregivers.

Sean Rose, CEO of Thrive Support and Advocacy, shares its history from Marlborough to Worcester, and the story behind ‘Prom for All Ages’