Q-MoB Offers Briefings on Benefits for Rural Berkshire LGBTQ Community

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Q-MoB is sponsoring two informational briefings for the LGBTQ community regarding health insurance, Social Security, and food stamp benefits. 
 
The organization states the briefings are in response to potential impacts from executive orders and the new Congressional budget.
 
The briefings are being organized by Q-MoB's Ombudsman Advocacy Team, which is recruiting volunteers to assist rural LGBTQ individuals in understanding and potentially protecting or restoring federal benefits. Experts from Berkshire Health Systems Advocacy for Access Program, Elder Services of Berkshire County's SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Everyone) Program, and an Ecu-Health Care SHINE counselor will lead the sessions. Support for the briefings is provided in part by Berkshire United Way.
 
The briefings will take place at the Berkshire United Way conference room in Pittsfield:
  • April 15: LGBTQ Briefing: Protect Your Soc. Sec., Medicare, Affordable Care Health Insurance, 6:00-7:30 p.m.
  • April 29: LGBTQ Briefing: Medicaid/Affordable Care Act/SNAP 101, 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Q-MoB's Executive Director, Bart Church, stated that rural LGBTQ individuals, particularly those over 60 and/or who are transgender or gender diverse, may be disproportionately affected by potential benefit changes due to factors such as isolation and historical economic disparities. The organization aims to educate the community to proactively protect their benefits.
 
Individuals interested in attending the free briefings can find registration links on the Q-MoB website. LGBTQ individuals interested in volunteering for Q-MoB's Ombudsman Advocacy Team can find more information online.
 
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Pittsfield to Conduct Phase Two of Water System Flushing

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The City of Pittsfield will begin phase two of its spring water system flushing on Monday, April 28, following the completion of phase one. Water mains citywide will be flushed through hydrants to remove pipeline corrosion products. Flushing will occur Monday through Friday each week, excluding holidays, between 7:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. Phase two is scheduled from April 28 to May 2.

The flushing is expected to affect the following areas:

  • Starting at Unkamet Park Drive heading west to North Street, working north to the Broadway and Lakeview streets neighborhood.
  • Starting at Plastics Avenue moving west on Dalton Avenue, including the Allendale and Allengate neighborhoods, then moving west onto Tyler Street into the Morningside neighborhood, including Springside Avenue, pushing west to North Street.
  • Lincoln and Fenn streets, Silver Lake, Wendell Avenue, and the surrounding vicinity, pushing west to North Street.
  • South Mountain and Tamarack roads, Dan Fox Drive, and south to the Pittsfield-Lenox line.

Flushing may cause temporary localized discolored water and reduced service pressure in the immediate vicinity. The city states that treatment and disinfection levels in the system will be maintained. Residents experiencing discolored water are advised to run their water for a short period to clear it before use. Persistent discolored water or low pressure should be reported to the Water Department at (413) 499-9339.

The city indicates that flushing is a standard procedure for maintaining water quality in the distribution system.

 

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