CHP Extends Health Insurance Open Enrollment Assistance

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GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. With the state's extension of the open enrollment period for health insurance sign-up, until May 23, Community Health Programs' Affordable Care Act (ACA) insurance counselors are available to help with applications.
 
Since the annual open enrollment period began Nov. 1, CHP has counted a marked increase in requests for health insurance assistance: Between Nov. 1, 2020 and Jan. 31,2021, CHP's insurance team assisted 701 people with applications for new insurance or re-enrollment in existing health plans.
 
 During the same period-November 2019 through January 2020, CHP assisted 458 clients.
 
"Covid is the main reason, because people who have lost jobs wanted to make sure they and their loved ones still have health coverage," said William Cruz, lead certified patient navigator at CHP. "We've also added two additional patient navigators and have done a good job of getting the word out that we are here to help."
 
 For assistance with ACA health insurance coverage, visit the CHP website, email enrollment@chpberkshires.org, or call (413) 717-6268.

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Toy Library Installed at Onota Lake

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Feel free to use or leave a toy at Onota Lake's newest infrastructure meant to foster community and benefit kids.

Burbank Park now has a toy library thanks to Wahconah Regional High School senior Alexandra Bills. Located along the wall at the beach area, the green and blue structure features two shelves with sand toys that can be used to enhance children's visits.

The Parks Commission supported Bills' proposal in February as part of her National Honors Society individual service project and it was installed this month. Measuring about 4 feet wide and 5.8 feet tall, it was built by the student and her father with donated materials from a local lumber company.

Friends and family members provided toys to fill the library such as pails, shovels, Frisbees, and trucks.

"I wanted to create a toy library like the other examples in Berkshire County from the sled library to the book libraries," she told the commission in February.

"But I wanted to make it toys for Onota Lake because a lot of kids forget their toys or some kids can't afford toys."

Bills lives nearby and will check on the library weekly — if not daily — to ensure the operation is running smoothly.  A sign reading "Borrow-Play-Return" asks community members to clean up after themselves after using the toys.

It was built to accommodate children's heights and will be stored during the winter season.

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