The aim of the Day Habilitation Programs is to increase an individual’s independence and ability to assume adult social roles through developmental skills training and clinical supports. These programs serve individuals with a wide range of abilities, talents, and interests, who require intensive supports and services in the areas of communication, relationship building, self care, self direction, health maintenance, safety, and community participation through volunteerism.

The BCARC day programs are located in Pittsfield, Dalton and Lee.


Berkshire County Arc works under contract with the Statewide Head Injury Program to provide twenty-four-hour residential services for individuals who have a traumatic brain injury. These programs provide supports that help people re-learn skills that enable them to live in their communities. Areas of skill development include neurobehavioral and neurocognitive management; independent living; leisure, recreation and community integration; vocational/avocational; and social/family. Individuals who live in the program attend classes at BCC and the Adult Learning Center, work on political campaigns, take art lessons through Community Access to the Arts, and volunteer at local human service agencies. The people supported through the programs came from large institutional settings and now have much greater quality of life in their new homes located throughout Berkshire County.

In addition, Berkshire County Arc's employment division, the Advantage Employee Network (AEN), has been providing supported employment services to individuals with traumatic brain injury for the past decade. AEN has assisted many people with traumatic brain injury living in the Berkshires to obtain and maintain productive careers.


Berkshire County Arc supports over 140 individuals with disabilities in a variety of residential settings. Residential options include community residences, staffed apartments, cooperative apartments, supported living and home ownership. BCARC currently maintains many homes located within the Berkshire County and a small number in the Springfield area.

Individuals have input into the hiring and evaluation of staff, the furnishing and décor of their home, and make the choices in regards to community activities, meals and daily routines. Staff foster choice and decision making and support an individual's entire network of positive relationships.


Individuals are fully involved in their communities through a mapping process designed to facilitate the identification and promotion of interests. Volunteer activities at locations such as the Senior Center, the Humane Society, churches, and hospitals provide valuable opportunities to make a difference. Membership in local or statewide organizations, such as the YMCA, the public library, and political and advocacy organizations enhance existing or new interests and serve as avenues for each individual to foster new friendships.

Residential program components include, but are not limited to, training in the following areas:

• Communication
• Choice & Decision Making
• Community Integration & Participation
• Domestic Skills Training
• Hazard Awareness
• Personal Hygiene & Health Maintenance
• Human Sexuality
• Social Skills
• Behavior Management
• Money Management
• Relationship-Building
• Recreation & Leisure
• Estate Planning

Berkshire County Arc creates environments for individuals to live as independently as possible, including those individuals who have chosen retirement. BCARC designs activities to meet the complex needs of its senior residents. In addition to actively promoting participation in community activities, BCARC offers elderly participants: therapies, medical monitoring, daily living skills, recreation and reality orientation.

Zip 'n Sort Mail Services, the largest mail service business in the Berkshires, maintains an integrated work setting for employees, with and without disabilities. Employees use state-of -the art, automated equipment to satisfy its customer base of nearly 400 local, national and international companies. Customers include banks, colleges, insurance companies, printers and non-profit agencies. Zip 'n Sort helps its customers control their mailing costs, giving them a competitive edge. At the same time Zip 'n Sort opens the door for people with disabilities to have a career in the mail industry.


Advocacy and Family Support Programs are designed to support individuals served by BCARC and their families. The Advocacy department identifies areas of need and advocates on behalf of individuals and their families in those areas.

Services include: intake and overseeing service delivery, information and referral, respite, matching volunteers, self advocacy, family support groups, public benefit assistance, educational advocacy, overseeing Berkshire County ARC Master Special Needs Trust, etc.

Respite Supports include Respite Outreach, Respite House, and the Family Directed Project. Families are the decision makers in the form of respite care that best meets their needs.

Family Support Groups encompasses the Berkshire County Family Advocacy Council, Down Syndrome Family Support Group, African American Family Outreach Project, Family Evaluation Meetings, and various respite family groups.

Public Benefit services secure entitlement benefits for individuals and their families. In addition, information and workshops are provided to families as needed in the areas of wills, guardianships and trusts.

Citizen Advocacy matches volunteers in one-to-one relationships with individuals in BCARC programs to promote community integration, and to provide opportunities for individuals to develop friendships.

Self-Advocacy groups include the Berkshire Advocates and the Southern Berkshire Self-Advocates. These groups continue to be a voice in speaking out for the rights of individuals with disabilities.

Educational Advocacy services offers supports to parents so they are empowered and able to advocate on behalf of their children for Special Education Services. The Educational Advocate functions as a liaison between the family and school.

Berkshire County ARC Master Special Needs Pooled Trust was created by Berkshire County ARC to respond to the expressed needs of the disabled community for reliable financial management services. The Pooled Trust enables individuals to accumulate funds while at the same time preserving their public benefits when a settlement, gift or pay out exceeds the limit for most benefits. The individuals money can be used to enhance his/her life.

For more information on the Pooled Trust,
please contact Bob Gray, Benefits Manager:
Email:
Phone: (413)499-4241, ext.266

Implemented in 1996, the Quality Assurance process at Berkshire County Arc is values driven, comprehensive and has a positive focus. One of the primary functions of the department is to support staff in the implementation of the Agency Mission. The process is also an integral component of agency risk management. By conducting internal reviews of all services, several positive outcomes have been obtained for BCARC and the individuals supported.

The Quality Assurance department is comprised of the Quality Facilitator and Quality Assurance Specialist. At least twice per year, all service locations are reviewed and evaluated through comprehensive record audits and on site visits. Areas reviewed include Individual Support Plan implementation, community integration, health and safety, communication, skill development, quality of interactions, clinical supports and other regulatory requirements. Following each visit, a comprehensive report is completed and distributed to all applicable team members. This report highlights positive outcomes as well as outlining recommendations.

The Quality Assurance department has also implemented an innovative values training program that includes role play and other small group exercises on topics such as positive interactions, sensitivity, empowerment and minimizing effects of stereotypes. Other duties of the department include overseeing the agency Incident Review Committee and incident database, holding focus group meetings on quality with individuals receiving services, staff training and coordinating licensing and accreditation surveys. 

For more information, please contact Chris Andrews,
Quality Facilitator 
Email:
Phone: (413) 499-4241, extension 249