Member: Child Care of the Berkshires

Educational, child care and after school programs are offered. We also offer subsidy programs to children placed within our family child care system.

Programs Offered:

The Family Child Care System: Description: A network of licensed family child care providers that provide early education and care to small groups of children in their homes in neighborhoods throughout Berkshire County.; Age Group: birth to school-aged youth; When: Ongoing; Contact: Colleen Cutler - 413-664-3256

Magic Seasons School Aged Program: Description: Provides after-school and vacation care to school aged children on-site at Brayton School in North Adams.; Age Group: School-aged youth; When: Ongoing; Contact: - (413)664-8471

Resources for Child Care: Description: The county\'s rsource and referral program, assisting parents in locating child care, managing the State\'s child care subsidy and scholarship programs and training early chilhood providers.; Age Group: birth to school-aged youth; When: ongoing; Contact: Janice Brindisi, BA - (877)443-7830

Monument Square Early Childhood Center: Description: Provides care for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers in a renovated elementary school in North Adams.; Age Group: birth to pre-school; When: ongoing; Contact: Linda Cellana, Director - 413-664-4657

The Young Parent Program: Description: A specialized program for adolescent parents and their children that offers child care, transportation, parent education and case management.; Age Group: Adolescent parents; When: ongoing; Contact: Sandra Kolis - (413)443-5109

Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention & Education Program: Description: Provides case-management and home visiting services to families whose children have high levels of lead poisoning, throughout Berkshire County, and educational presentations to decrease the rist of lead poisoning.; Age Group: Parents wtih children; When: Ongoing; Contact: - (413)663-9242

Community Partnership Program: Description: Coordinates early education services for preschoolers, improving access and quality, parent education as well as susidies and scholarships. It includes the 11 towns and cities in Northern Berkshire County.; Age Group: Preschoolers; When: Year round; Contact: - (413)664-4615

Northern Berkshire Family Net: Description: Provides a variety of programming for parents with young children, including playgroups, parent education, free clothing exchange, and parent leadership opportunities.; Age Group: Parents and children; When: Ongoing; Contact: Amy Hall - 413-664-4821

Healthy Families: Description: Provides intense parent education and support, through home visiting, playgroups and weekly MELD support groups, to adolescent parents with young children.; Age Group: First time parents 20 years of age or under with children three or under; When: Ongoing; Contact: Becky Krysiak - (413)664-6104

Parent Child Home Program: Description: Demonstrates to parents of two and three year olds pre-reading skills and language development skills, through home visits and gifts of books and toys, in Northern Berkshire.; Age Group: Two and three year olds with parents; When: ongoing; Contact: Jennifer Bleezarde-Gauthier - 413-664-4615

Parenting Journey: Description: The Parenting Journey is parent education and support program that allows a small group of parents come together, for 12 consecutive weeks, and to participate in a variety of activities and discussions about their past experiences and how they can use these experiences to become better parents and grow as person. Two trained facilitators plan the activities and guide the discussions. The group experience promotes positive attitudes that promote good parenting. Meals, transportion and child care are provided.; Age Group: Parents and children under 6; When: Spring and Fall sessions, call for dates; Contact: Amy Hall - (413)664-4725

Parenting Partnership Program: Description: Provides intense parent support and education, through weekly home visiting, building on parents\' strenghts with the goal of becoming effective and nurturing.; Age Group: Parents; When: Ongoing; Contact: Ellen Baer MSW, LICSW - (413)664-4725

Child Care of the Berkshires - Member Details:: Address:; PO Box 172; 210 State Street; North Adams, MA 01247; Contact: Amy Hall, Program Director; Phone: (413)664-4821; Fax: (413)663-9661; Website: http://www.ccberkshire.org; Mission Statement:; The mission of Child Care of the Berkshires, Inc. is to promote and strengthen families through the provision of high quality child care services to families whose parents are working or in training or, for any number of reasons, cannot adequately care for the children as well as other types of social and educational services which directly affect families and their well-being. Child Care of the Berkshires is guided by the following beliefs: Families need support, education and other resources including high quality child care to maintain their well being and self-sufficiency. High quality child care encourages a child�s total growth and healthy development, in physical, social and language and cognitive areas. Families need to be linked to a variety of resources in the community and that services are best provided in a collaborative and cooperative fashion. Child care and parent support and education programs should reflect the cultural diversity in our communities.