BCC Accepting Applications to Community Health Worker Program

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PITTSFIELD, Mass — Berkshire Community College (BCC) is accepting applications to its Community Health Worker program, part of the College's Workforce Development
 curriculum. 
 
The next cohort takes place February 15 through May 7, 2024. 
 
The Community Health Worker program provides rigorous training for public health workers to serve as liaisons between traditionally underserved populations and health/social service providers. The program benefits anyone interested in exploring educational and career pathways in community health, human services, healthcare or public health. 
 
Students enrolled in the Community Health Worker program learn about essential topics relevant to community health work in Berkshire County, such as chronic diseases, sexually transmitted diseases, substance abuse, physical and mental disabilities, reproductive health issues, domestic violence, mental health and trauma. The program also addresses community health work in emergency situations and contact tracing as a tool for preventing the spread of infectious disease. 
 
The certificate program at BCC includes 42 hours of face-to-face instruction, 42 hours of online instruction and 20 hours of fieldwork at a local non-profit organization. Three-hour classes are held once a week from 6-9 pm, alternating between face-to-face and online classes. Coursework content is designed by public health professionals and delivered by specialists directly involved in community health work in Berkshire County.  
 
Workforce Training at BCC offers a range of educational resources designed for individuals, businesses and organizations. In addition to community health worker certification, the department currently offers instruction for certified nursing assistants, medical interpreters, phlebotomy technicians and group fitness instructors. 

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Lanesborough to Vote on 34 Articles at ATM

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — Voters will decide 34 warrant articles at the annual town meeting on June 11.

The Select Board endorsed a long list of articles during its regular meeting on Monday, most without discussion. 

A $11,846,607 spending plan has been proposed for fiscal year 2025, a 4.3 percent increase from the this year. The budget includes a net increase of $237,129 in education costs for the Mount Greylock Regional School District and McCann Technical School, less than the $271,478 increase in FY24. 

Three articles are related to short-term rentals, or Airbnbs: To impose a local excise tax of up to 6 percent of the total amount of rent for each occupancy, a 3 percent impact fee on "professionally managed" short-term rentals, and a 3 percent impact fee on short-term rentals in two- or three-family dwellings.

"These are the proposed language as provided by town counsel," Town Administrator Gina Dario explained.

Included in the 34 articles is one citizen's petition, which the board was not required to endorse. If passed, this petition would increase the Select Board from three to five members with an annual election of the chair. The candidate receiving the highest number of votes in that election would serve a three-year term, the candidate receiving the second highest number of votes would serve a two-year term, and the candidate receiving the third highest number of votes would serve a one-year term, with three-year terms to follow.

Two articles needed clearance from the Planning Board before coming to the Select Board, one being a request to amend the town's zoning bylaw to raise the cap on accessory dwelling units from 900 to 2,500 square feet.  

The proposal is in response to the lack of housing availability in the community and is the second go-around.

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