Program areas at 18 Degrees
Healing homes: healing homes is a comprehensive foster care program currently consisting of twenty-three licensed foster parents. To become licensed, applicants submit to cori and sori checks, a dcf history check and fingerprinting. Those that clear are then enrolled in a thirty-hour Massachusetts approach to partnership in parenting curriculum that outlines the many facets of the work. The training also provides education regarding the social, emotional, and physical effects of trauma while emphasizing the benefits of trauma informed care. The trauma informed care approach continues to be emphasized throughout the relationship with their social worker. Weekly visits are provided by the social worker, monthly visits by the family resource worker. Healing homes provides twenty-four hour on call services to assist foster parents in times of crisis. There have been fifty-six children served in 2023.
Pittsfield community connection: pittsfield community connection (pcc) provides comprehensive and culturally responsive youth development and referral services for berkshire youth ages 10-24. Pcc utilizes an evidence-based youth intervention and prevention program design, supporting vulnerable youth through advocacy, building healthy relationships, family engagement, and community mobilization. The program served 295 in fiscal 2023.
Early education & care: offers exceptional education and care for children from birth through pre-kindergarten in pittsfield. 18 Degrees also offers before- and after-school care, and out of school time care programs for older children. Program served 178 in fiscal year 2023.
Young parent support programs, parents as teachers, family networks, adoption services, community based health initiative-family partners, kids 4 harmony, community based prevention, family resource center, community centered family support, court appointed special advocate, fathers & family network, city of pittsfield empath, and berkshire united way empath.