Sean Rose Heads to Worcester Public Schools as Stacey Forrest Prepares to Lead Thrive

Stacey Forrest Looks Ahead at Thrive

By-Hank Stolz
Graphic-Radio Worcester/ Photo: Thrive Support and Advocacy

Questions, Concerns, Opinions?

Worcester, MA-Sean Rose, CEO of Thrive Support and Advocacy, is departing to take on a newly created role as Chief of Access, Opportunity, and Equity for the Worcester Public Schools, a position designed to address barriers faced by the district’s 25,000 students across 48 schools.

“It’s a bit bittersweet on our end to be leaving an organization that I love so much, but embarking on a new chapter in the Worcester Public Schools and starting over where I started.” said Rose.

In this role, Rose plans to begin with a comprehensive assessment of existing inequities, develop a strategic plan, and bring services directly into neighborhoods to improve access for families facing linguistic, transportation, and socioeconomic challenges.

He tells us, “It’s a brand-new position and I commend Superintendent Brian Allen and the school committee for recognizing that this position is needed here in the city.”

Rose said, “Helping identify appropriate resources for everybody to be able to do their jobs effectively and for everybody to have that same opportunity, I think is really kind of the overarching theme of what this role is designed for.”

Stacey Forrest to Lead Thrive

Stepping into leadership at Thrive is Stacey Forrest, who has been named the organization’s new CEO. Forrest has been with Thrive for five and a half years as COO and has worked alongside Rose since 2006.

Under their shared leadership, Thrive more than doubled in size, expanded its Family Support Center, grew its food pantry, and launched new day support programs for individuals with developmental disabilities.

“Sean and I work with our leadership team on the strategic plan every year. We make sure that everyone is committed to the vision and the mission of what we’re doing. And because of that, that alignment, those really clear goals that we’ve set together, essentially we just keep moving forward.”

Forrest plans to continue this trajectory, with a focus on transition-age programming for individuals aging out of school-based services, expanding recreational programming in Worcester to match what is available in Marlborough, and growing a newly awarded community integration program called Without Walls.

“Ideally, people shouldn’t notice any changes. That’s how you know you did it right. Everything kind of continues on very smoothly.” said Forrest.

Listen to past episodes of the Thrive Podcast

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What Does Worcester Public Schools’ Chief of Equity, Access, and Opportunity Do?

Sean Rose’s new Cabinet-level position reports directly to the superintendent. The job is intended to identify and reduce barriers that affect students’ and families’ access to opportunities across Worcester Public Schools. The district says the chief will: Worcester Public Schools

Review district policies and practices and work to narrow opportunity and achievement gaps.
Oversee family and community engagement, including student and family advisory councils, community outreach, and the Parent Information Center.
Coordinate work across departments to strengthen culturally responsive teaching and help direct resources through an equity lens.
Support school boundary planning, restorative practices, social-emotional learning, and the Grow Your Own teacher recruitment initiative.
Oversee equity and discrimination compliance matters and lead targeted outreach efforts.

Who held the job before Rose? No one. The district created the position in its FY27 budget, and Rose is its first appointee.

Sources

Worcester Public Schools-Statement on Chief of Equity, Access and Opportunity

Worcester Public Schools Appointment Announcement