Berkshire Vaccine Collaborative Launches Website

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Berkshire Vaccine Collaborative has announced the launch of a new website containing comprehensive information on how to access the Berkshire area COVID-19 vaccination clinics.

The new site, www.getvaccinatedberkshires.org, was developed to provide a consolidated resource with information about the COVID-19 vaccines, to provide resources on the state's Vaccination Phases and vaccine availability, and to aid the public in making appointments at the three large mass vaccination clinic sites in the Berkshires.

The Berkshire Vaccine Collaborative has established vaccination sites in Pittsfield at the Berkshire Community College Field House, in Great Barrington at the WEB Du Bois Middle School and in North Adams at St. Elizabeth of Hungary's Parish Center. Vaccine clinics are now scheduled for early February to begin vaccinations for the first part of Phase 2, which includes anyone aged 75 and older.

The Berkshire Vaccine Collaborative estimates that there are approximately 18,000 Berkshire residents who are 75 and older, and based on the current distribution of vaccine by the State of Massachusetts, it is likely to take several weeks before completion of Phase 2-A. Clinics will be held weekly based on availability of the vaccine from the Commonwealth.

The website will be updated regularly as more clinics are scheduled throughout February and the coming months and as the state continues to move through Phase 2 and into Phase 3, which is estimated to run through the remainder of winter and into the spring.

The Berkshire Vaccine Collaborative is a partnership between Berkshire Health Systems, Community Health Programs, the Berkshire County Boards of Health Association and public health nurses.

The website is www.getvaccinatedberkshires.org.

 


Tags: BHS,   CHP,   COVID-19,   


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Pittsfield Human Service Funding Applications Open Soon

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Applications for human services funding open next week, and membership space is available for anyone who wants to be involved in the process. 

Last week, the Human Services Advisory Council laid out a timeline for the next year's grant awards. It provides funding recommendations to the mayor on how Pittsfield should allocate its human services funding, a mix of Community Development Block Grants and general fund money. 

Request for proposal applications will be available at the Department of Community Development on Nov. 9; there will be three bidders conferences in November and December, and public comment on human service needs will begin in the new year. 

Proposals are due to the Department of Community Development on Jan. 8, 2027. The public comment period closes at the end of January, and in the spring, the Human Services Advisory Council will recommend funding.

"We typically get about 20 to 30 applications each year," reported Nate Joyner, Pittsfield's community development and housing program manager. 

He explained that the schedule of activities proposed for the upcoming cycle is similar to last year. Though, any references to American Rescue Plan Act funding were removed, as the nearly $41 million funding infusion during the COVID-19 pandemic has been exhausted. 

The council will also need a new chair, as Rosalind Kopfstein has retired. In January, it will vote on nominations. Jenny Bell was welcomed as a new member at the Oct. 29 virtual meeting, and there are additional openings. 

Last year's human service funding benefitted more than 4,000 community members. A total of $154,500 in CDBG funds was allocated to 13 different agencies, and $51,750 from the city general fund was granted to ten agencies. 

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