CHP Family Services Hosts IEP 101 Workshop

03:27PM / Sunday, January 08, 2023Print Story | Email Story

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Community Health Programs (CHP) Family Services hosts IEP 101, an online workshop and orientation program for parents of public school children who are entitled to special needs education services, on Jan. 11 at 11 a.m.

This is the third such online event hosted by CHP Family Services, which has new resources for families of children with special needs. Previous workshops have drawn dozens of participants.

The meeting is hosted by Rania Markham and Melanie Wickwire of CHP Family Services, both parents of children with special needs. Registration is required and can be completed here.

Children with special needs are entitled to the Individualized Education Program (IEP), which is developed in collaboration with parents/caregivers and school education specialists. IEPs are intended to ensure that special needs students receive the best possible education and support services.

Parents play an important advocacy role for their children in the IEP process and can benefit from awareness of IEP options and services.

"Parents can learn a great deal from each other in understanding and navigating the IEP process," said Markham, who has a son with autism. "We're here to share our knowledge and help parents become strong advocates for their children's education."

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Elevated Mercury Level Found in Center Pond Fish

11:41AM / Friday, December 19, 2025

BECKET, Mass. — The state Department of Public Health has issued an advisory after a mercury-contaminated fish was found in Center Pond.

According to a letter sent to the local Board of Health from the Division of Environmental Toxicology, Hazard Assessment and Prevention, elevated levels of mercury were measured in the sample taken from the pond.

The concentration in the fish exceeded DPH's action level of 0.5 milligrams per kilogram, or parts per million.

"This indicates that daily consumption of fish from the waterbody may pose a health concern. Therefore, DPH has issued a FCA for Center Pond recommending that sensitive populations should not eat chain pickerel and all other people should limit consumption of chain pickerel to 2 meals/month," the letter states.

The letter specifically points to chain pickerel, but the 60-acre pond also has largemouth and smallmouth bass and yellow perch.

The "sensitive populations" include children younger than 12, those who are nursing, pregnant, or who may become pregnant.

The Toxicology Division recommends reducing intake of "large, predatory fish" or fish that feed on the bottoms of waterbodies, such as largemouth bass and carp. More information on safely eating fish can be found here.

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