What is HEAL?

Healthy Environments Advance Learning (HEAL) was a two-year initiative that helped Massachusetts school districts create healthier learning environments for students—especially those impacted by asthma, extreme heat, and poor indoor air quality.

Led by the Massachusetts Asthma Action Partnership (MAAP) and funded by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), HEAL worked with four districts: Lynn, Haverhill, Holyoke, and New Bedford.

Each district received funding and support to test practical, school-based solutions—ranging from building improvements to new policies and staff training.

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What did HEAL do?

HEAL focused on giving schools tools, training, and real-world support to improve environmental health.

1. Built knowledge and skills

MAAP partnered with the Northeastern University School Health Academy to create a 9-part online training series for school staff. These modules help schools address issues like:

  • Indoor air quality

  • Extreme heat

  • Cleaning practices

  • Asthma management

2. Created practical policy tools

In partnership with MAPC and MAHB, HEAL developed ready-to-use templates to help districts strengthen policies, including:

3. Funded district-led projects

Each district received a $7,000 subaward to address a specific environmental health issue in their schools.

What changed as a result?

Through HEAL, districts made tangible improvements to their buildings, policies, and practices.

  • Schools improved air quality and temperature control

  • Staff gained skills to identify and address environmental issues

  • Districts adopted new policies on extreme heat, cleaning, and asthma management

  • Collaboration increased between nurses, facilities staff, and administrators

These efforts helped create safer, more supportive environments for students—especially those with asthma.

Continuing the Work: HEAL’s MVP

Because of HEAL’s success, MAAP launched a next phase to continue and expand this work.

Although the original follow-up funding ended early, MAAP secured a one-year Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) grant from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA).

Through this current phase, MAAP is working with: Lynn, Haverhill, and Holyoke

This work now focuses on:

  • Expanding district projects to a larger scale

  • Strengthening long-term policies and systems

  • Providing ongoing coaching and technical assistance

  • Connecting districts through shared learning

The goal is to ensure that the changes started under HEAL are sustained and embedded in how schools operate.

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District Projects: What This Looked Like in Practice

Holyoke

Focused on strengthening coordination between facilities and health staff.

  • Conducted joint walkthroughs of school buildings

  • Developed policies on extreme heat and cleaning

  • Launched a district-wide Extreme Heat Policy

Lynn

Focused on improving conditions for students with asthma at Cobbet Elementary.

  • Installed AC in high-need spaces

  • Created heat protocols and staff training

  • Educated families on heat safety

Haverhill

Focused on improving air quality and standardizing asthma care.

  • Installed custom radiator covers to reduce dust

  • Implemented a district-wide Asthma Emergency Action Plan

New Bedford

Focused on improving building conditions and temperature control.

  • Repaired leaks and ventilation systems

  • Installed a heat pump for a climate-controlled student care space

  • Developed school protocols for hot weather

Learn More / Contact

For more information about HEAL or current work, contact Destiny Gonzalez.