|
|
|
Summer 2004
  Articles on this page: • Health & Social Services Health & Social Services One hospital, 911 emergency care, a Neighborhood Health Center and a host of clinics and support groups offer comprehensive health care for city residents with or without health insurance. The Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse offers a variety of services, some with a sliding fee scale. There are four nursing homes in the city and two assisted living facilities. The hospital and several agencies offer a wide variety of support groups. Berkshire Medical Center 752 North St., 447-2000. BMC is the anchor for Berkshire Health Systems, the area's primary provider of comprehensive health care services for all residents. This community hospital is licensed for 306-beds, and is a teaching hospital affiliated with the University of Massachusetts Medical School. BMC's services include cancer therapy, state-of-the-art advanced imaging services, including the county's only two fixed-base MRI units, endoscopy, behavioral health services, a Memory Disorders Clinic, renal dialysis, vascular surgery, community health education and free screenings, a dental clinic, in-patient and out-patient rehabilitation and a 24-hour emergency and trauma care department. The BMC Women's Imaging Center provides the latest in diagnostic imaging and support for women who are or may be facing breast cancer and osteoporosis. The Center provides mammography, state-of-the-art breast MRI scanning and bone density testing. The Berkshire Visiting Nurse Association, which is part of BMC, provides home health care and community health services. The hospital runs specialized support groups, most of which are open to the community. A childcare center called Bright Horizons Family Solutions provides innovative programs to help children, families and employees work together. The center is at 746 North Street and is open to the community. Call the center at 447-2942. Hillcrest Campus of Berkshire Medical Center 165 Tor Court, 442-1400. In 1996, Hillcrest Hospital merged with BMC and in 1998, all in-patient beds were consolidated at the main North Street facility. Nonetheless, the Hillcrest Campus of BMC remains a vibrant community health care provider with services that include Hillcrest Medical Walk-in for the care and treatment of minor medical illnesses, Berkshire Occupational Health, same-day surgery, Berkshire Visiting Nurse Association headquarters, Accent on Health Program, Hillcrest Family Health Center, the Thomas McGee Unit, which is an in-patient alcohol and substance abuse treatment program, and a variety of community outreach programs. Neighborhood Health Center 510 North St., Suite 18. Affiliated with Berkshire Medical Center, the center offers general medical treatment. 447-2351. State clinics that conduct tests for sexually transmitted diseases and tuberculosis; premarital blood tests and referrals may be reached at 447-2654. Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services of the Berkshires, a multifaceted organization resulting from the merger of two agencies. Mental Health services including counseling and 24-hour crisis intervention are offered at 333 East St. 499-0412. Director is Marjorie Cohen. Berkshire HealthWorks, a component of the BMC Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, offering an Employee Assistance Program, a confidential behavioral health service that provides a comprehensive range of mental health services to employees of contracted businesses and their household members, as well as professional consultation and training services to a variety of area business organizations, 447-2655. Child and Adolescent Services 251 Fenn St. 496-9671. Providing comprehensive mental health services to children, adolescents and their families. Substance Abuse Services 131 Bradford St., 499-1000. This service council operates an outpatient clinic at 499-1000; Keenan Halfway House at 198 Bradford St., 499-2756. A Driver Alcohol Education program for drunk drivers as ordered by the courts is located at the Hillcrest Hospital. AdLib Inc. 215 North St., 442-7047. The Independent Living Center. Provides services for people with disabilities of all sorts. American Cancer Society 39 Wahconah Street, 2nd Floor, 445-0018. Support, information and advocacy for cancer patients and their families. American Red Cross Berkshire County Chapter, 480 West St., 442-1506, 1-800-332-2030. Aside from primary responsibility of assisting all disaster victims, the Red Cross provides CPR, First Aid, HIV/AIDS, Water Safety, Babysitting and Nursing Assistant training and certification. The Red Cross houses the Berkshire AIDS Coalition and manager's casework for individuals with HIV/AIDS and their families. Medical transportation to medical appointments outside of Berkshire County and Child Car seats rentals is available. Berkshire Red Cross is the lead agency responding to needs of families and individuals who are at risk of becoming homeless or who are homeless. Berkshire Center for Families and Children 480 West St., 448-8281. BCFC offers a wide range of family support services including early childhood education, child care sites, parenting education, teen living programs, family skill building post adoption services, and therapeutic foster care. Berkshire Community Action Council 1531 East St., 445-4503. Operates a shelter for homeless families, fuel assistance and weatherization programs for low-income families, transportation for children to and from day care, emergency food pantry, commodity food distribution, SHARE grocery program and will mediate with utility companies. Berkshire County ARC (Association for Retarded Citizens)- 395 South St., 499-4241. Counseling, legal advocacy, employment, day and residential programs and recreation for retarded citizens. Berkshire County Consumer Advocates (Protection Agency) 150 North St., Suite 34, 443-9128 Advice, information and support on consumer issues. Berkshire Humane Society 214 Barker Road, 448-2228 The Humane Society runs an animal shelter and adoption program. Berkshire Talking Chronicle 8 Depot St., Dalton 684-0880 Berkshire County's volunteer program where people read local publications over the radio. Berkshire United Way 200 South St., P.O. Box 3808, 442-6948. Umbrella social service organization that conducts community-wide fund-raising. Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity 314 Columbus Ave., P.O. Box 2717, Pittsfield 01202. 442-3181. An all volunteer organization working in partnership with families in need to build or rehabilitate simple decent houses for home ownership. The Christian Center 193 Robbins Ave., 443-2828. Provides community meals, gives away clothing, provides emergency assistance for utility and fuel bills and serves as a meeting space for the surrounding area. Elizabeth Freeman Center 146 First St., 499-2425, 24 hour hot-line 443-0089 (Central Berkshires), 663-9709 (North county) and 243-1119 (South County). Addressing the issues of domestic violence and sexual assault. Battered shelter available. Confidentiality assured. Family Planning Council 100 Wendell Ave., 443-2844. Anonymous testing for sexually transmitted diseases, family planning and medical services including pap smear and comprehensive physicals. Goodwill Industries of the Berkshires 158 Tyler St., 442-0061. Provides vocational evaluation and sheltered employment and job coaching to individuals 16 and over with physical and or mental disabilities or who are economically disadvantaged. Accepts donations of furnishings and clothing from the community which are refurbished by employees and sold in retail stores at 273 North St., 440 Merrill Rd., and 160 Howlana Ave., Adams. HospiceCare of the Berkshires 369 South St., 443-2994 County wide program to help families with terminally ill patients. Works with other agencies to provide care. Issue of Aging 447-2315. Jewish Federation of the Berkshires 196 South St., 442-4360. A Jewish center where staff and volunteers coordinate programs throughout Berkshire county. Key Emergency Shelter 369 West St., 442-1503. Free emergency shelter for youths 11 through 17 who are having difficulties with family members, at school or with others. Counseling available. Literacy Volunteers of Berkshire County Berkshire Athenaeum, 1 Wendell Ave., 499-9487. Volunteers help people of all ages learn to read and learn English as a second language. Muscular Sclerosis 447-2733. Options for Youth 80 North St., 499-2422, 496-9671. Outreach, case management, counseling and family therapy for adolescents age 9 through 18 and their families. Pediatric Development Center 388 Columbus Ave., 499-4537. Families with special needs children can receive education, therapy, referrals and support through this organization. Pregnancy Support Services of Berkshire County 74 North St., 443-7351. Free pregnancy tests, abortion counseling, referrals, infant and maternity supplies. 24-hour hotline and services are free and confidential. Project HEROA 510 North St., 447-2378. Free chronic disease screening for income and age eligible women. Includes mammograms, pap tests, cholesterol, diabetes, osteoporosis, hypertension and colorectal cancer. Assistance with MassHealth insurance applications. Call for appointment. Resources for Childcare 46 Summer St., 443-7830. County-wide information and referral program for childcare resources. Salvation Army 300 West St., 442-0624. Community breakfasts served Monday through Friday from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. Dinners are served at 4:30 on Sunday. The corps operates an emergency food pantry and collects clothing and furnishings that are sold in a retail store at 446 West Housatonic St. United Cerebral Palsy 280 West St., 442-1562. Local chapter of the national organization that supports the independence, productivity and full citizenship of people with Cerebral Palsy and other disabilities. The agency offers services and programs throughout Berkshire County. Western Mass. Legal Services Inc. 152 North St., 499-1950. Free legal advice and representation for low income residents and elders in civil legal matters regarding public benefits, housing, and disability. Westside Neighborhood Resource Center 314 Columbus Ave., 445-6477. Neighborhood program sponsors community events and works with police liaison. Women, Infants & Children (WIC) 165 Tor Court (Hillcrest Hospital),445-9429 & 25 First St., 448-2611 Organization provides, food vouchers, counseling and other services for families in need. Related Support Groups Adoption Resource Center at Brightside, Inc. 480 West St., 496-9491. Birth parent decision-making counseling and full range of adoption services, domestic, Russia and China. After a Diagnosis of Cancer North Adams Regional Hospital, 743-7432. Support group for patients, caregivers, spouses and friends. Alcoholics Anonymous Berkshire Intergroup, 85 East St., 448-2382. This chapter of the national organization is dedicated to helping alcoholics to overcome alcoholism and stay sober. Meetings are open to anyone and are held daily. Please call for times and meeting sites. 24 hour information line: 443-0212. Bereavement Support Group, Scared Heart Church Rectory, 443-6960. For anyone who has suffered a loss. Meets the fourth Tuesday each month (except for July and August). Berkshire Benevolent Association for the Blind Meets at the Dalton VFW on the first Monday of the month, 443-4061. Better Sleepers and Breathers Group 447-3093. Caregiver Support Group Lee Regional VNA offices, 21 High St., Lee, 243-1212. Support for those who provide care to a loved one. Congestive Heart Failure VNA & Hospice of Northern Berkshire, 535 Curran Hywy., North Adams, 664-5229. Gamblers Anonymous Hillcrest Hospital, Tor Court, 445-4289. Free & confidential support group/weekly meetings. Chronic Fatigue 447-2145. Damien (Cancer support group) 447-2655. Diabetic Support Group 447-2335. HIV/AIDS Support Group/ Hepatitis C Support Group 447-2351. Hospice Care in the Berkshires 369 South St., 443-2994. Care and support for terminally ill patients and their care-givers. Huntington's Disease Berkshire Medical Center, 447-2213. Monthly support group for patients and caretakers. Jimmy Fund 499-9056. Fund-raising arm for cancer research of Dana Farber Institute. Narcotics Anonymous 314 Columbus Ave., 443-4377. National Alliance for the Mentally Ill 333 East St., 443-1666. For people with a mentally ill sibling, parent, mate or friend. Osteoporosis Support Group 447-2656. Overeaters Anonymous 499-9660. For people with under- and over- eating problems. Parent Support Group Berkshire Community College, 499-4660, ext. 331. Support group for parents feeling overwhelmed and angry. PFLAG 234-2382, Parents, family and friends of Lesbians and gays. Pregnancy Support Services of Berkshire County Inc. 74 North St., 443-7351. Offers testing, counseling, referrals, infant furniture and clothing. Services are free and confidential. Recovery Inc. St. Mark's Rectory, 27 Onota St., 447-7510. A self-help group for people suffering from nervous problems and fears. Stroke Support Group Berkshire Medical Center, 447-2230. Support for patients and families. Supervised Visitation Program 499-7650 ext. 32. Parents and children can utilize the Pittsfield YMCA facilities during visitation and this program can also provide supervision of exchanges when parents are unable to manage healthy relationships without guidance.  RETURN TO TOP |
|
|
