BCC Offers Three New Programs

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Community College (BCC) introduces three new certificate programs for the fall semester, which begins on Tuesday, September 3, 2024.
 
To apply to the College or for more information, visit www.berkshirecc.edu/academics.  
 
The Addiction Counselor Education (ACE) certificate prepares human services professionals for work in the substance use field. Graduates of this program will be trained to offer supervised substance use services that include individual and group counseling, assessment and documentation, case planning, client services support, community service outreach and referrals for individuals and families. 
 
The ACE program can be completed in one year, or students may opt to attend part-time. BCC awards a certificate of completion (with 29 college credits) to those students who successfully complete the six required courses (270 education hours) and a 300-hour ACE field work practicum and seminar. In addition, the ACE certificate offers stackable credits that allow students to continue on to an associate degree in social work with a focus on addiction.  
 
Students who earn an ACE certificate at will help to address an urgent need by contributing to a trained workforce of addiction counselor professionals. In turn, agencies benefit from a better trained workforce, and the community is strengthened by having the skilled workers necessary to address the devastating addiction recovery crisis in Berkshire County. 
 
The Culinary Arts certificate is a short (16 credit hours) but thorough apprenticeship program preparing students for careers in culinary arts. Successful graduates will be job-ready for entry-level occupations in the local food service industry, including positions in school cafeterias, hospital kitchens, restaurants and private households.  
 
The Culinary Arts apprenticeship program combines instruction in the classroom and teaching kitchen with professional work in the field. After seven weeks of foundational coursework, focusing on core culinary skills and knowledge, students will apply their knowledge and receive further practical training while working professionally with BCC's educational partners. Successful program graduates will also be awarded
the industry-recognized ServSafe Food Handler Certificate. 
 
Graduates of the program will demonstrate professional knife skills, master the use of kitchen equipment and hand tools, maintain food safety and kitchen sanitation requirements, understand basic preparation techniques for a variety of foods, manage production of simple baked goods, exhibit professionalism in the workplace and participate in a fast-paced professional kitchen environment. 
 
The Social Work – Introductory certificate is an 18-credit-hour program offering students a valuable starting point for a career in human services. It provides a comprehensive overview of the helping professions while developing essential skills such as communication, empathy, active listening and problem-solving. Earning a certificate will increase a student's opportunities for employment and advancement in human services work and will also serve as a stepping stone to further education or specialized training. 
 
The Social Work – Introductory certificate is a beneficial credential for those looking to pursue entry-level positions in social work, counseling or related fields, or for individuals seeking to enhance their existing qualifications in these areas. 
 
Students in the program learn from both classroom and real-world fieldwork experiences while receiving support and guidance from program faculty. By participating in hands-on experiences, students are able to apply the theoretical knowledge gained in the classroom to practical situations in the workplace environment. Students will be matched with agencies based on their skills and interests and will assist with entry-level agency operations, assessment, intervention, case planning and documentation at the field practicum site. 
 
To learn more about applying to BCC, including viewing an admission checklist, browsing a course catalogue, filing a financial aid form or scheduling a tour in person or online, visit www.berkshirecc.edu/fall. Advisors are on hand to answer questions; call (413) 499-4660 or email onestop@berkshirecc.edu

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Pittsfield Council Sets Special Meeting Amid PHS Staff Scandal

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The City Council will vote on a statement in solitary with the School Committee amid Pittsfield High School's staff scandal.

Over the last week and a half, three PHS staff members were put on administrative leave for allegations of misconduct — one of them under federal arrest for drug charges.  A special City Council meeting has been called on Monday at 6 p.m. to support, or not support, the School Committee’s request for an independent, third-party investigation.

A petition put forward by Ward 7 Councilor Rhonda Serre, Councilor at Large Kathy Amuso, Ward 2 Councilor Brittany Noto, Councilor at Large Alisa Costa, and Ward 6 Councilor Dina Lampiasi on Dec. 19 requests the following statement be sent to Mayor Peter Marchetti:

"The City Council joins the school committee on its call for an investigation into the allegations against city employees as it pertains to recent personnel actions surrounding Pittsfield High School. Further, the City Council requests to be included in the delivery of any disclosures, interim reports, or findings submitted to the City as part of this investigation. As the voice of the public, the City plays a role in protecting the rights and safety of all residents, as well as city employees."

In an email, Lampiasi wrote to iBerkshires that the allegations being addressed by the School Committee strike at the core of our community’s trust and safety and that the gravity is too serious for the City Council to remain silent or passive.

"It is essential for Pittsfield’s leaders to stand united in rooting out misconduct within our schools and addressing the systemic failures that may have allowed such behavior to occur or persist," she wrote.

"This is about protecting our children and fulfilling a responsibility to support residents while safeguarding the well-being and integrity of our entire community."

On Dec. 11, PHS Dean Lavante Wiggins was arrested and charged by the U.S. Attorney's Office for allegedly conspiring to traffic large quantities of cocaine. Two days later, a second staff member was put on administrative leave because of an investigation conducted by the state Department of Children and Families.

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