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Child And Adolescent Psychiatrist Joins Berkshire Health Systems

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — At a time when there is a severe deficit of mental health providers specializing in the care of
children and adolescents, Berkshire Health Systems announces the appointment of Fadi Halabi, MD, a board certified and fellowship trained Psychiatrist specializing in Child & Adolescent Psychiatry to the medical staff of Berkshire Medical Center. 
 
Dr. Halabi joins the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health at BMC.
 
"Berkshire Health Systems is very pleased that Dr. Halabi has joined our exceptional team of Psychiatric care providers," said Liliana Markovic, MD, Chair of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health. "There is a national shortage of behavioral health practitioners specializing in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at a time of great need for such services. Dr. Halabi’s expertise will help us to enhance care for this vulnerable population."
 
Dr. Halabi received his medical degree from American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon and completed his residency in General Psychiatry at Washington University/Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. He is board certified in General Psychiatry and fellowship trained in Child & Adolescent Psychiatry from Washington University/St. Louis Children’s Hospital.

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Pittsfield Housing Project Adds 37 Supportive Units and Collective Hope

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass.— A new chapter in local efforts to combat housing insecurity officially began as community leaders and residents gathered at The First on to celebrate a major expansion of supportive housing in the city.

The ribbon was cut on Thursday Dec. 19, on nearly 40 supportive permanent housing units; nine at The First, located within the Zion Lutheran Church, and 28 on West Housatonic Street.  The Housing Resource Center, funded by Pittsfield's American Rescue Plan Act dollars, hosted a celebration for a project that is named for its rarity: The First. 

"What got us here today is the power of community working in partnership and with a shared purpose," Hearthway CEO Eileen Peltier said. 

In addition to the 28 studio units at 111 West Housatonic Street and nine units in the rear of the church building, the Housing Resource Center will be open seven days a week with two lounges, a classroom, a laundry room, a bathroom, and lockers. 

Erin Forbush, ServiceNet's director of shelter and housing, challenged attendees to transform the space in the basement of Zion Lutheran Church into a community center.  It is planned to operate from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. year-round.

"I get calls from folks that want to help out, and our shelters just aren't the right spaces to be able to do that. The First will be that space that we can all come together and work for the betterment of our community," Forbush said. 

"…I am a true believer that things evolve, and things here will evolve with the people that are utilizing it." 

Earlier that day, Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Ed Augustus joined Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll and her team in Housatonic to announce $33.5 million in federal Community Development Block Grant funding, $5.45 million to Berkshire County. 

He said it was ambitious to take on these two projects at once, but it will move the needle.  The EOHLC contributed more than $7.8 million in subsidies and $3.4 million in low-income housing tax credit equity for the West Housatonic Street build, and $1.6 million in ARPA funds for the First Street apartments.

"We're trying to get people out of shelter and off the streets, but we know there are a lot of people who are couch surfing, who are living in their cars, who are one paycheck away from being homeless themselves," Augustus said. 

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