Berkshire Profile: Amy Hall/Northern Berkshire Family Net
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| Northern Berkshire Family Net Director Amy Hall and a sampling of the toys at the organization's 210 State St. site. |
North Adams - When an entity is known for events such as "Dirt Day," "Touch-A-Truck," and "Messy Face Day," one can just about guarantee agency popularity. When the same entity offers programs for families of all income levels, the benefits can be far-reaching; one might even say multi-generational.
The Northern Berkshire Family Net has been serving families since 1998 and program Director Amy Hall is most animated when speaking about the many facets of the non-profit agency.
Where Parents Come Together
The entity is focused on families with children under age six, Hall said during a Dec. 28 interview.
"For all of our play groups, parents and children come together," she said, and added that transportation is offered."It's important to get parents together with other parents and reduce isolation. It's also good early socialization for the kids. We have a real mix. We have people who are struggling with parenting and those who are not. A big mix works well with our groups. We have parents who come to four play groups a week just so that they can have time out of the house."
Parent-only sessions are offered and transportation, child care, and in some cases, snacks or meals are provided to participants at no cost.
Free Clothing Exchange
Hall showed off the group's "Clothing Exchange" located at the 210 State St. project headquarters.
<L2>Inside the large, walk-in area was a generous collection of clothing sized to fit infants through children who wear a size 7. The clothing is given free to parents and although dubbed an "exchange," it is not necessary to bring items in order to take items, Hall said.
There appeared to be many pairs of childrens winter boots, several winter coats and jackets, cozy tops and other clothing.
"We're down a little right now," Hall said. "Usually, this room is full."
Since 1998
The "Net" is a Child Care of the Berkshires program launched almost nine years ago with a $150,000 state Department of Education grant, Hall said. The grant was sought by CCB Executive Direct Anne Nemetz Carlson and was submitted via the North Adams Public Schools system, Hall said.
An advantage to the public schools link is an ability to extend beyond a needs-based program, which permits a much greater opportunity for participation, Hall said.
Much funding now comes through the state's Department of Early Education and Childcare; the most recent state-provided revenue was $124,673, Hall said.
The agency also benefited from a 2003 state-awarded $60,000 expansion grant, which allowed development of additional play and support groups, Hall said.
Who Goes There...and Who Goes Where?
The Child Care of the Berkshires organization serves as the manager of the state funds, Hall said. The CCB has offices in Pittsfield and Great Barrington.
While the Family Net headquarters serves as a hub of much family activity, efforts are made to encourage easy participation. Family Net play groups are held in Cheshire and Williamstown and a summertime program is hosted in Lanesboro, Hall said. There is a Family Net presence in Adams as well, she noted.
There are 43 individual "family network" programs throughout the state, Hall said.
The local program is apparently quite well-known and much-appreciated; in November, about 400 families and individuals received the 'net newsletter, Hall said.<R3>
"And we have at least 200 [people] who rotate through the events pretty regularly," she said.
Play groups include a short "circle time", during which folks sit in a circle and may sing a song or tackle another brief group activity. Reading and very simple arts and crafts projects are often part of the process, Hall said. Most arts project are open to imagination and specifics do not dictate play, she said.
"We want the kids to create whatever they want."
The Parenting Journey
Hall is also the overseer of another CCB project, the Parenting Journey, a 12-week project that meets weekly and offers free transportation, a meal, and child care services. The program is offered to those with children under age 6 who live in the Northern Berkshires and registration is required.
The free program does limit enrollment and frequently reaches enrollment capacity quickly, Hall said. The two-hour, Tuesday evening "journey" will begin at the Family Net site on Feb. 27.
Previous "journeys" were led by Joanne Ranzer, Hall said.
The initiative is described as "a safe, friendly,supportive place where parents can admit that parenting is difficult. The guided group will include discussion of childhood experiences and memories and how these past experiences affect parents and how they can use them to grow as parents and people."
Hall has participated as a member of a journey group, she said.
"It boosts your confidence,helps you set personal goals and teaches that parents must value themselves before they can nurture their families," Hall said. "The parenting journey lets people see themselves as parents but also as individuals. And for people who may not have been parented in a nurturing way, this can break the cycle and help people become better parents."
A "Warm-Line"
Another service Hall is associated with is a "Parent Warm Line." The phone-in question service is NOT for emergency situations, and so is not a "hot line," Hall explained.
"It's for non-emergency situations and parenting questions," Hall said. "For example, people may have feeding questions, like 'should I start my child on solid food,.' People can leave a message with their question and someone will get back to them in a couple of days."
The "warm-line" number is 413-664-4821 ext. 27.
Family Net offers referrals to other agencies when appropriate, and has a short-term home visit program that can assist with certain home-based parenting challenges, she said. The program includes an initial visit and up to three follow-up visits, she said.
Books, Books, Books....And More!
Additional Family Net offerings include a lending library based at the State Street site. The library contents include a selection of parenting materials including books, videotapes, and dvds that may be borrowed for up to three weeks.
"Parents don't have a lot of time and we want them to have time to look at the resources they chose,"Hall said.
A "Books, Books, Books" campaign involves a series of "book-bags" [bags that contain a selection of books]. Beginning in January, once a parent documents that 15 books have been read to a child, a free book will be provided to the family, Hall said.
A Loaded Roster Of Family Events
Upcoming events include a "Positive Discipline Series" [weekly meetings,Jan. 18-Feb. 8 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m.], a "Saturday Gym Day" at the 210 State St. site on Jan. 6 and Jan. 20 9:30 a.m.-11 a.m., and a Jan. 17 daytime ice-skating party at the Veterans Memorial Skating rink in North Adams.
The 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. skating activity is for children three-years -old and older who are accompanied by parents. The event is free including ice skate rental and a pizza lunch is planned.
On March 2, in conjunction with the REACH Community Health Foundation, the agency plans to host "Healthy Family Night" at the North Adams YMCA. The free event is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. and include a performance by Terry a la Berry.
The event focus is a resource fair about children's health and safety, and activity stations will be erected for children. Stewart's Shoppes will donate soup and chili for up to 100 people, Hall said.
Events are usually scheduled for each month of the year, Hall said.
"We have different things," she said. "We have a lot of parent leadership opportunities. Parent ideas have led to a fall lantern festival and an international festival that ended up representing seven different countries. There is a lot here."
Additional information about the Northern Berkshire Family Net may be acquired at 413-664-4821 or at a www.familynetfun.com Internet web site.
