The Southern Berkshire Rural Health Network (SBRHN) is guided by a Steering Committee comprised of leaders from health and social service organizations. This group meets bi-monthly to examine trends and help shape the strategic direction of the Network.

Complementing this is the Resource Group, a broader coalition of over 30 local and county-wide organizations-including legislative representatives-which meets twice monthly. This group focuses on identifying community needs, sharing and mapping resources, and building collaborative responses.

 

While SBRHN is not a direct service provider, our impact is measured by the progress we make on collaborative projects and systems-level change. 

Here are some of the accomplishments of the SBRHN:

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Championed Pediatric Collaborative Care Coordination, resulting in state financial support for expanding the pilot project.

 

Led Advocacy and Support Efforts for the Micro Transit Program, with a focus on expanding service hours, increasing capacity, and ensuring long-term sustainability- including commissioning a consultant to conduct a comprehensive sustainability study.

 

Secured funding for Rural Recovery Resources through Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA), which led to support from the Bureau of Substance Addiction Services (BSAS) for longer-term services and sustainability. 

 

Developed and launched an Online Directory, compiling all the resources for children and families in Southern Berkshire County- designed to improve accessibility and streamline referrals. 

 

Welcomed and Integrated the Family Resource Center, aligning its services with the broader south county community support network.

 

Created a Food Access Network, the Southern Berkshire Food Web improving coordination and expanding access to healthy food for food-insecure residents. 

 

Coordinated a COVID-19 Response in Southern Berkshire County, addressing needs in food security, emergency housing, and mental health access.

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Expanded the Southern Berkshire Food Box Program (Village Food Box) to serve the entire Berkshire Hills district and later extended it to additional schools across southern Berkshire County, increasing food access for food-insecure families.

 

 

Built Collaborations that provided COVID-19 supplies to schools and summer camps, facilitated children’s participation in summer programs, and connected housing-insecure individuals to comprehensive support services.