REACH appoints Jennifer Civello to enact QuitLinks program for pregnant smokers

Print Story | Email Story
Jennifer Civello
The REACH Community Health Foundation was recently awarded one of only two grants offered by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to create a program that will reduce the smoking rates of pregnant women and women with young children. Statistics indicate that smoking rates are higher among pregnant women who live in rural areas. The new program, QuitLinks, has hired a Tobacco Treatment Coordinator, Berkshire County native Jennifer Civello. Ms. Civello graduated from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts with a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology. She went on to get her master's degree in social policy from SUNY/Empire State College. She has previously worked as a Community Support Coordinator for Community Enterprises of Pittsfield and as an adjunct instructor for Jefferson Community College in Watertown, NY. She and her husband, Nicholas Civello, live in North Adams with their two children. "We are very excited that Jennifer has joined our team," said Betty Chludzinski, Vice President of Operations for REACH. "Because she is a Berkshire County native, she knows the area and has experience in providing counseling. She brings extensive expertise to the position." QuitLinks will have a presence in the OB/GYN and pediatric offices of Northern Berkshire Healthcare. As the tobacco treatment coordinator, Ms. Civello will provide intake and tobacco treatment to interested women. Ms. Civello will also be working closely with the Northern Berkshire WIC (Women, Infants and Children) office as well as other human service and family providers in the area. "In 2005, 28% of women who gave birth at North Adams Regional Hospital smoked while they were pregnant," said Ms. Civello. "The statewide average is nine percent. QuitLinks was designed so that pregnant women and mothers of young children have easy access to tobacco treatment services. We want to see that statistic drop dramatically." QuitLinks is also concerned with the effects of secondhand smoke on children and will be working closely with area pediatricians' offices in this regard. REACH also offers a smoking cessation program for adults, "Quitters are Winners." The program meets one evening per week for six weeks and offers strategies and support on quitting and staying tobacco free. The next program starts January 9, 2007. To register for the program, call (413) 664-5326. The REACH Community Health Foundation is a nonprofit subsidiary of Northern Berkshire Healthcare and is dedicated to improving the health of the Northern Berkshire community. In addition to tobacco treatment programs, REACH runs programs in men's health, breast cancer support and care navigation, caregiver support, dental health, children's health, and nutrition and fitness. For more information on the QuitLinks program, please call Jennifer Civello at (413) 664-5567.
Share
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Police, Civilian Injured in Hinsdale Shooting

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
HINSDALE, Mass. — Two police officers were injured and a civilian is in critical condition after a shooting late Wednesday morning not far from the police station. 
 
The civilian was taken to Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield; the officers sustained non-life-threatening injuries from what police describe as an isolated incident that poses no threat to the public. 
 
The Cheshire Police Department indicated the injured officers were Police Chief Shawn Boyne and Sgt. Dom Crupi in a post on Facebook stating "Our thoughts are with the Chief and Sergeant from Hinsdale and hoping for a speedy recovery."
 
The investigation is being led by the State Police assigned to the Berkshire District Attorney's Office, which, in a press release just after 2 p.m., reported that around 11 a.m., an "isolated incident involving an officer-involved shooting occurred in Hinsdale, Massachusetts." 
 
"Two police officers were shot and sustained nonlife threatening injuries. One civilian was shot and is in critical condition," the DA's office wrote.  "There is no threat to public safety."
 
The office will provide updates as additional information becomes available. 
 
The Berkshire Eagle reported at least 10 State Police cruisers were parked Wednesday morning along Off South Street Ext., a dead-end side street with three homes.
View Full Story

More North County Stories

Sports
image description

Lee Executes Game Plan to Perfection in Quarter-Final Win

Sports
Sports
image description

Lenox Volleyball Reaches State's Final Four

Sports
Sports
image description

Mount Greylock Boys Win 3rd Straight Regional Crown

Sports
Sports
image description

Mount Greylock Girls Again Top Monson in Western Mass Final

Sports
Sports
image description

Lenox Sweeps Its Way to Western Mass Crown

Sports
Sports
image description

Reed's Home Run Lifts Generals to D4 Final Four

Sports
Latest Stories
Previous Next

What's Trending?