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The Berkshires online guide to events, news and Berkshire County community information.           
Saturday November 7, 2009
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Sports


High School Football
Hoosac Valley beats Drury in Saturday action. More photos on Monday
Thursday, Nov. 06

Boys' Soccer: State Vocational Championship Game
McCann Tech 3, Keefe Tech 2

Girls' Soccer: State Vocational Championship Game
Blackstone Valley 8, McCann Tech 0
Fall Basketball Clinics

What's Playing


Milla Jovovich vs. alien abduction in "The Fourth Kind." What more do you need to know?


'Michael Jackson's This Is It': But It Is Always There
Movie schedules and times

Daily Digest


This is Jake
He's been lost in Pittsfield for weeks but frequently sited. He was last seen heading toward the fire station on Peck's Road. He's tired, dirty and needs seizure medication. He's chipped. If you see him, call Julie at 413-537-5616, the vet 24/7 at 413-499-2820 or animal control at 413-448-9700.
How Much is Heating Oil this Week?
It's breaking $2.50 but still cheaper than gas.
Thanks to Gabriella Bond for sharing her memories of the Quincy Street house torn down last week.
Send press releases and announcements to info@iberkshires.com. Need to contact someone at iBerkshires? Here's how.

Election

Barrett Reflects on Accomplishments with Capital News 9
Alcombright's Victory Speech

Which election's more important?
Pittsfield
North Adams
Neither, nothing will change
  
pollcode.com free polls

Trying to remember who won what and why? All the information is right here.

Obituaries

Milton E. Pharr, 75
Alice R. Filiault, 87
Lucille Burt, 92
Ellen E. McCarthy, 98
More obituaries
Mary M. Hanlon, 82
George F. Sarrouf, 73

Sales Fliers

 
 

 

Bazaars

Nov. 14

Berkshire Community Church, Richmond
10-4; Crafters, bake sale. Contact Evelyn Goggia at 413-445-5747

Lanesborough Elementary School annual Fall Craft Fair from 10 to 4. Free admission, huge variety of arts and crafts, raffles, food and more. Proceeds go to sixth-grade trip to Cape Cod.

Vendors can contact Deb at 413-738-5349 or debhutton@aol.com or Lori at 413-499-0065 or lorittod@yahoo.com to secure a spot.

Dec. 12-13

North Adams Country Club, crafts 9-4; food from That's a Wrap from 11-2. Contact Sheryl Morehouse at 413-822-3329.

Planning a bazaar this season? Submit information to info@iberkshires.com to have it listed here.

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Downing Votes to Improve Children’s Mental Health Services

08:53AM / Thursday, July 17, 2008

Senate Seeks to Advance Early Identification of Mental Illness

BOSTON - The Massachusetts Senate on Tuesday approved legislation to improve the early identification of children with mental illnesses by reaching them in familiar settings, such as pediatrician offices, early education programs and schools.

“This is a very special day for the protection of our youngest patients,” said State Senator Benjamin B. Downing (D – Pittsfield). “This legislation continues our efforts to safeguard children’s mental health services through streamlining the Commonwealth’s response to these diagnoses. Early detection, intervention and proper treatment will help keep children from falling through the cracks in our mental health system.”

The bill seeks to increase pediatric screenings for mental illness and require the Department of Early Education and Care to provide behavioral health consultations. The legislation would also promote consultation services in schools to help teachers and administrators better identify mental health issues.

The bill also restructures how the Commonwealth oversees, provides and coordinates services by:

o Designating the Department of Mental Health as the leading voice for children’s mental health;

o Creating a children’s behavioral health advisory council and a children’s behavioral research center; and

o Creating multi-agency teams and a hearing process to improve case management for children with complex needs.

The bill also grants the Division of Insurance the authority to regulate behavioral health manager companies and requires the Executive Office of Health and Human Services to implement new policies and procedures to ensure that children do not remain in hospitals past the necessary amount of time, and instead making sure that they are efficiently moved to appropriate residential facilities or community-based settings.

The Senate passed the bill in memory of 16-year-old Yolanda Torres, who struggled with mental illness and became an advocate for children’s mental health services. Torres’ adoptive mother, Mary Ann Tufts of Plymouth, is a leading advocate for this legislation.

This bill will now go to the House of Representatives.
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