The Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts today announced an additional $400,000 grant for the Southbridge CARES (Clark Advancing Resilience in Education and Support) Project, a mental health initiative at Southbridge High School designed to improve students’ academic performance, strengthen social-emotional and behavioral health, increase school engagement, and better prepare high school students for college and career success. The Health Foundation has now awarded $1,075,000 to the project to date.
The Southbridge CARES Project is supported by a Synergy Initiative grant from The Health Foundation and implemented in partnership with Clark University’s Mosakowski Institute for Public Enterprise. The announcement of continued funding was made during a visit by Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) Commissioner Pedro Martinez to the Sensory Immersion Room (SIR) at Southbridge High School.
“The Southbridge CARES Project is redefining the traditional high school experience,” said Amie Shei, president and CEO of The Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts. “Its dynamic, layered approach shows an understanding that every student learns differently and has varying needs in school. We are honored to put our support behind a team that is contributing to a brighter future for these Southbridge students and that is developing an innovative and comprehensive model for others to emulate.”
The SIR is the first of its kind in a public school setting in Massachusetts that integrates immersive technology, virtual reality, and sensory equipment to create customizable, calming, and therapeutic environments for all students, including those experiencing behavioral health challenges or sensory differences.
During his visit, Commissioner Martinez took a tour of the SIR and attended a demonstration session, experiencing how the state-of-the-art technology works to help students manage anxiety, decompress, improve their mindsets, and self-regulate while receiving support from trained counselors. Commissioner Martinez also spoke with students and staff about the implementation of the SIR, and its positive impact on the school community since its opening in October 2025.
“We’re thrilled that The Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts is continuing to fund the Southbridge CARES Project,” said Nadia Ward, project co-director and executive director of Clark University’s Mosakowski Institute for Public Enterprise. “We’ve enjoyed working with school administrators, teachers, and students at Southbridge High; it is truly amazing and incredibly rewarding to see firsthand how all three of our behavioral health interventions have transformed the lives of the students in this community.”
“We’re thrilled to welcome Commissioner Martinez to Southbridge High School to learn more about the CARES project and observe the sensory immersion room in action,” said Judy Maisonet, project co-director and assistant superintendent of Southbridge Public Schools. “This initiative reflects our deep commitment to caring for the whole child and ensuring every student feels safe, supported, and ready to learn. We are proud of the meaningful difference this work is making in the lives of our students each day.”
The Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) initiative is reaching up to 400 students across grades 9 through 12 and stimulating mental, personal, and academic growth and achievement.