Berks 1st Fall 2023

FALL 2023

Berks County, PA, Government News & Services

More Than Just Books

Farms Forever

y a d i l o H Lights At Gring’s Mill

Scan to Read Online!

Escaneé para leer!

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610-921-1315 restoreberks.org

COMMISSIONERS’

MESSAGE

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elcome to the third issue of the Berks 1st magazine!

We hope that you have come to recognize this publication as a source of interesting and informative content about what is going on in Berks County government.

In this issue, we profile the county’s Treatment Courts which are little-known but well-established alternatives to the traditional court system; introduce Kammy the county’s facilities dog, helping families and individuals through traumatic times; summarize the work of the IMPACT Berks and Opioid Settlement Distribution programs; give you a County 101 lesson on the Agency on Aging; and much, much more!

We intend to continue to bring you profiles of our county departments and services and stories about the individuals and institutions that make our county such a great place to live, work, and grow! What would you like to know about Berks County government? Contact us and let us know at commissioners@countyofberks.com!

Berks County Commissioners Christian Y. Leinbach, Lucine E. Sihelnik and Michael S. Rivera

DOING RIGHT RIGHT HERE

it starts with U Please give today at uwberks.org/donate

TA BL E O F CO NT E N TS Farms Forever

Agriculture land in Berks is irreplaceable.

Farmland preservation is making sure that farms endure in our area.

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The Berks County Military Hall of Fame

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Berks County has a strong tradition of military service.

The Berks County Military Hall of Fame recognizes our distinguished veterans.

Berks Park 183 Kammy, the Facility Dog Farms Forever What to Expect on Election Day The Berks County Military Hall of Fame 12 Library System Welcomes Familiar Face as Administrator 14 Rehabilitation Services at Berks Heim 16 More than just Books: Our Accessibility Collection

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18 Transforming the Terminus 19 Berks Park 183 20 Holiday Lights At Gring’s Mill 22 Imagine Berks: Great Things in Our First Year!

24 Opioid Settlement Distribution Update 26 Agency on Aging 28 What is Treatment Court?

32 Municipalities News 34 Employment Opportunities

The County of Berks has exercised great care to ensure that the content of this magazine is accurate as of the date of publication.

Employment Opportunities

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Looking for a rewarding and challenging career? Learn more about current job openings with the County of Berks and other local employers.

Editorial content and advertising appearing in this publication should in no way be considered an endorsement from the County Commissioners or the County of Berks. The county assumes no liability for the accuracy of claims made by the advertisers. This publication was created with the intent to deliver useful county government news to the residents of Berks County.

The County of Berks disclaims any and all liability and responsibility to any person or party, be they a reader, advertiser or consumer of this publication, for any consequences, actions, results taken or outcomes of anything done or omitted on the basis of reading information or reliance whether partly or solely on the contents of this publication and related website and products.

All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be reproduced electronically or in print without the expressed written consent of the publisher or editor.

Official Publication of the County of Berks, PA 633 Court Street, Reading, PA 19601 Commissioners Office: 610-478-6136 • commissioners@countyofberks.com

www.countyofberks.com

Holiday Lights at Gring’s Mill

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The holidays are bright at Gring’s Mill! Come out in December to enjoy a winter wonderland!

Advertisers’ Index Accounting & Advisory Services Herbein, CPAs + Advisors.........................................23

Addiction Education, Prevention, Recovery Council on Chemical Abuse (COCA).......................25 SOS Berks Opioid Taskforce...............................30, 37 Treatment Access & Services Center (TASC).........29

Community Service Organizations Awaken Mental Health Case Management............... 11 Literacy Council of Reading-Berks...........................13 United Way of Berks County....................................... 1

Contractor & Homeowner Services

Habitat for Humanity of Berks County............................. Inside Front Cover Home Builders Association of Berks County.........19 SAH – Commercial & Residential Protection......... 21

Employment Opportunities

Transforming the Terminus At the Library

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What is Treatment Court?

The Children’s Home of Reading.............................33 County of Berks...........................................................33 Service Electric Cablevision.......................................33 Supportive Concepts for Families, Inc.....................33

Festivals

Reading-Berks Guild of Craftsmen.................................. Inside Front Cover

Financial Services Riverfront Federal Credit Union...............................23

Hospitals & Healthcare Services Berks County Medical Society...................................13 Bone & Joint Care Center...........................................15 Reading Hospital – Tower Health.............Back Cover

Insurance & Benefits EHD.............................................................................. 11

Travel & Tourism AAA Reading-Berks..................................................... 31

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For Advertising Information, contact Berks1st@hoffpubs.com www.berks-1st.com www.countyofberks.com

3

FE ATURE – Se r v i ces Cent er

Kammy, the Facility Dog

by Jonathan Heintzman, Berks County Public Relations Officer

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ervice, therapy, and emotional support dogs are a common sight in the County Courthouse or the County Services Center. They offer emotional and psychological support to children and adults moving through our vital, but stressful, justice and human services systems. The simple, nonjudgmental presence of a calm animal can make an enormous difference to those living through trauma.

Berks County’s newest facility dog is special and not only in the opinion of her handler, Amy Sundstrom, Director of the Children’s Alliance Center. “She’s great!” Sundstrom said.

“She’s already part of the family. Not just in my home but here among everyone in the building.”

Kammy, a two-year-old Golden Labrador Retriever, is a facility dog. The county’s volunteer therapy dogs are invaluable, but they can be limited in the services they are trained and certified to perform. Facility dogs, like Kammy, are trained to perform specific duties with the support of a handler. A facility dog is specifically trained to be on duty for many hours at a time 4

Berks1st - Keeping You Connected Fall 2023

and have varied human service skills that can directly benefit certain official functions.

“Other than those differences, she is much like any therapy dog,” Sundstrom said. “When she is ‘off duty’ and doesn’t have her vest on, she’s like a different dog. She’s more playful, more excited. She understands that when she has her vest on; that is ‘work time’.”

One service that Kammy can specifically offer as a facility dog is being able to provide support during stressful interviews.

In instances where individuals, particularly children, must be questioned one-on-one with a forensic interviewer, no others can be present during the session. To address this situation, one of the county’s forensic interviewers and the victim advocate are trained as Kammy’s secondary handlers.

This way, Kammy can be an emotional anchor, present and available to those who need her, when they need her.

“Given the difficult and traumatic experiences that children must talk about in some of these sessions, a child will sometimes basically ignore the interviewer and address the dog. They

are clearly more comfortable and feel safer sharing their story with the dog than with an adult,” Sundstrom said.

The Children’s Alliance Center, along with support from the District Attorney’s office, had been waiting for a trained and certified facility dog since well before the pandemic.

“The wait time for a dog like Kammy is significant,” Sundstrom said. “Then, when the pandemic shut everything down, it got that much harder to train and socialize the dogs to the level necessary for the certification.” She added that the county was fortunate that it was able to get Kammy.

District Attorney John Adams, a self-admitted dog lover, said that he had been interested in obtaining a service dog for the last couple of years. “I knew that a dog could really be a calming influence on many of the vulnerable people we interact with on a daily basis,” he said. “Many other counties were having a lot of success with their comfort and/or facility dogs, so I made it a priority for us to obtain a dog.”

He added that he is certain Kammy will continue to be a great addition to the county and will bring comfort and joy to many people especially those facing traumatic situations.

County Services staff also benefit from Kammy’s soothing presence. Sundstrom said that there are plenty of times when Kammy is free that building staff members might stop by for a bit of informal furry therapy. Just a few moments of pets and affection can bring down the blood pressure and soothe a troubled mind.

“Kammy’s already a professional at getting pets,” Sundstrom said.

N O I S I V Y T N U O C S K R E B R OU

G AKIN M H E C OWT PLA R • G G TRY USIN DUS PMENT N I • HO Y S& LO ILIT B INES D DEVE S O HIP U N CM •B URS I A E L M N RE NO AND REP ECO T & N E T & LEN ESS N • TA I S BU ALL M S •

Come see all that we have imagined:

imagineberks.org www.countyofberks.com

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FE ATURE – Ag r i c u lt u re

Farms Forever

by Amanda Burkard-Sell, Agricultural Program Manager, Berks County Department of Agriculture

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f you have taken a drive around rural Berks County, you may have seen Farm Forever signs. These signs indicate that a farm is permanently preserved. What exactly is farmland preservation and why is it important to all of the residents of the county?

Berks County is an important agricultural hub. Home to some of the most productive, non-irrigated soils in the country and within an overnight drive of 100 million people, Berks serves as a vital contributor to the region’s food and fiber supply. The county’s diverse agriculture provides our community with everything from chicken, dairy, and beef to Christmas trees, seasonal produce, and honey. It contributes $555 million of raw agricultural products annually to our economy and enhances our rural landscape.

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Berks1st - Keeping You Connected Fall 2023

In 1988, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania recognized the value of its farmland and the need to protect it from irreversible loss.

The state passed legislation to create an agricultural land preservation program to purchase perpetual easements on farms so that they must be used for agriculture.

The easements are legally recorded, and the language must be included in any new property deed, meaning that even if a farm is sold, it will still be preserved. This is commonly known as “purchasing the development rights.” Individual counties administer the program through county boards with funding coming from county, state, local, and federal sources. Berks County’s own program began in 1989, with the first farm preserved in 1990. To date, the county has preserved 815 farms, which total over 78,000 acres. Berks County has one of the highest numbers of preserved farms in Pennsylvania and the nation.

The Berks County Department of Agriculture supports the Berks County Agricultural Land Preservation Board to administer the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program for Berks County.

The program is voluntary, and farms must meet certain criteria in order to qualify. Each year, over 50 farms are scored and ranked, but only the top-ranking farms are selected based on available funding.

Funding comes primarily from the county and state, with the support from the County Commissioners over the years being invaluable. For those farms that are selected, the process takes approximately one to two years from the time of selection to settlement for the easement.

Landowners are compensated for the easement, but typically, the value of their property is much higher than the amount received.

All told, Berks County preserved farm owners have donated over $40 million in their farm’s easement value, and it is the dedication of the county’s farmers that drives the continued success of the program.

Preserving farms is necessary because maintaining our local food supply is vitally important. There is absolutely no comparison between a locally grown, in-season tomato and one that was shipped across the country. Buying local food also allows for a direct link between the farmer and the consumer, which can empower buyers to discover and make choices about exactly where their food is coming from and how it is raised or grown. Farmland is a non-renewable resource – once paved over, a farm cannot be restored without extreme measures. Farmland preservation ensures that there will always be land available for our food and fiber production in Berks County. This has proven especially important during recent years, as evidenced by difficulties with shutdowns and the supply chain.

Having a local food source provides food security, and food security is national security, allowing for less reliance on outside resources.

Large blocks of preserved farmland also provide economic benefits to the county. In addition to the jobs and economic contributions provided directly by agricultural production, farms rely on support services from local businesses, including equipment and seed dealers, insurance providers, banks, mechanics, and truck drivers. Farms are also responsible for providing the necessary products that are the base for industries such as food processing, animal feed, fiber, and fuel. continued on next page

www.countyofberks.com

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FE ATURE – Ag r i c u lt u re

Additionally, farmers reinvest the dollars that they earn back into the community. This is especially true once the land is committed to farming, as farm owners are more willing to invest in their operations and properties with purchases of equipment or construction of buildings, which often employs other local businesses. Preserved farmland also requires fewer public services – schools, roads, emergency services, etc. – than housing does, which means that farms require fewer tax dollars. This keeps our taxes lower overall.

Preserving our farmland provides other intangible benefits, too. It maintains the rural character and history of Berks County’s culture and landscape. Farms are important environmentally, as well. All preserved farms are required to have a conservation plan, which supports soil health and water quality. Farmland provides large areas for groundwater recharge and carbon sequestration, which helps to keep our water supply clean and reduce global climate change. Open farmland and associated woodland also provide habitat for birds, pollinators, and other wildlife.

The preservation of its farmland is an investment by Berks County in both its people and its future. It is not only a permanent commitment to agriculture, but to the economic, social, and environmental benefits that our farmland provides. The Farm Forever signs serve as a reminder for the residents of the county of this dedication and celebrate the fact that there will always be farmland here in Berks County.

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Berks1st - Keeping You Connected Fall 2023

To date, the County has preserved 815 farms, which total over 78,000 acres.

Berks County has one of the highest numbers of preserved farms in Pennsylvania and the nation.

E l e ct i on Ser v i ces

WHAT TO EXPECT ON ELECTION DAY

by Stephanie Weaver, Assistant Director, Office of Election Services

I

n a few weeks, voters throughout Berks County will head to the polls for the 2023 Municipal Election. Often referred to as an “off-year election,” the Municipal Election allows residents to vote for their local leaders in county government, in their school district and in their municipality.

The Municipal Election ballot contains the same races that voters saw during the Primary Election. The candidates include the Democratic and Republican winners from the Primary Election and any third-party candidates from minor political parties and political bodies. A candidate’s party is listed underneath their name on the ballot.

Races and Retention

There are many local offices that will be determined in November, with each municipality’s ballot being slightly different. The types of races that voters can expect to see on their ballots include: • Statewide and County Judges • County Commissioners • Row Officers • Magisterial District Judges • City of Reading Mayor, Auditor and Council • School Directors • Borough Council Members and Township Commissioners and Supervisors • Borough Mayors and Municipal Tax Collectors and Auditors

The Municipal Election ballot also features four judge retention questions – two for the Superior Court of Pennsylvania and two for the Court of Common Pleas in Berks County. Judges are initially elected to serve 10-year terms. When that term is up, the judge must seek to retain the position through a retention question. Voters are given the option to retain the judge for another 10 years by voting “Yes” or “No.” The following judges will be listed for retention on the ballot: • Jack Panella (Superior Court) • Victor P. Stabile (Superior Court) • Theresa Johnson (Court of Common Pleas) • Madelyn S. Fudeman (Court of Common Pleas)

City Referendum Question

City of Reading voters will also be asked to vote on a referendum question related to the city’s Home Rule Charter. The question will only appear on the ballots for city precincts. Voters can choose “Yes” or “No” in response to the following question:

“Shall Section 606(a) of the Reading Home Rule Charter be amended to eliminate the requirement for the Public Works Director to be a professional engineer registered in Pennsylvania and instead create a requirement that the City designate any individual who is registered as a professional engineer in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to serve as the City Engineer?”

A simple explanation of the question and sample ballots for each precinct will be available on our website: www.countyofberks.com/elections.

Important Dates for the 2023 Municipal Election: Last day to register to vote: October 23

Register to vote at www.vote.pa.gov/register.

Last day to apply for a mail-in or absentee ballot: October 31

Apply for a mail-in or absentee ballot at www.vote.pa.gov/apply-mail-in.

All voted mail-in and absentee ballots must be received by the Berks County Office of Election Services by 8 p.m. on Election Day to be counted.

Election Day: November 7

Polls open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Find your polling place at www.vote.pa.gov/polls. www.countyofberks.com

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FE ATURE – Ve t era ns Af fa i rs

The Berks County

Military Hall of Fame

by Jonathan Heintzman, Berks County Public Relations Officer

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he Berks County Military Hall of Fame is a community initiative to recognize our citizens who have served in the armed forces and distinguished themselves with valor in battle or by extraordinary achievement. The Hall of Fame is now a function of the Berks County Board of Commissioners and is managed by the Department of Veterans Affairs. The Hall of Fame is intended to honor the strong tradition of military service in our region and add to the rich history we find in the people of Berks County.

The Hall of Fame was established in 2009 as a follow-on initiative to the Hall of Heroes data collection. The following year, the county established a nomination process, a selection framework, and integration with the Board of Commissioners’ procedures for approvals and filings.

The nominations were to be collected once a year and presented to an ad hoc selection committee that represented each branch of service. That committee, in turn, presents their selection results to the Berks County Veterans Affairs Director. The results are then presented at a Board of County Commissioners meeting. With the Board’s approval, the names and military service histories for each new member are entered into the Hall of Fame rolls and filed in the Prothonotary’s Office. When possible, new Hall of Fame members are invited to the annual Veterans Appreciation Dinner Dance in the fall.

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Berks1st - Keeping You Connected Fall 2023

Any citizen is eligible to nominate a military veteran from any of the military branches. Hall of Fame nominees must distinguish himself or herself by valor in combat or by significant special achievement and: • Originally hailed from Berks County, PA upon entry into military service, or • Listed Berks County, PA as his or her permanent home of record at time of award, or • Conscripted/volunteered for military service through Berks County, PA. • A Berks County citizen who contributed to our armed forces by valor in combat or significant special achievement, but does not meet the residency conditions above, may be recognized for special consideration. The nominee must have clearly made Berks County his or her permanent home. The Berks County Department of Veterans Affairs will assist the person making the nomination to find a Hall of Fame in the veteran’s home county or state.

A nomination of someone for valor in combat will only be considered with proof of any of the following medals having been awarded: • The Medal of Honor • Distinguished Service Cross • Navy Cross or Air Force Cross • Silver Star • Distinguished Flying Cross for Heroism • Bronze Star with “V” Device • Air Medal with “V” Device • Commendation Medal with “V” Device.

“V” Device represents valor in combat.

Nominations can be received throughout the year but must be received by the first Monday of August each year for consideration by a panel of military veterans representing each of the branches of our armed forces.

Recommendations of the panel are forwarded by the Director of Berks County’s Department of Veterans Affairs to the Berks County Board of Commissioners for approval and entry into the Berks County Military Hall of Fame on or about Veterans Day each year.

If you would like to nominate a Berks County citizen to the Hall of Fame, complete the nomination form, supply the supporting documents and photograph, and mail your nomination to the Director, Berks County Department of Veterans Affairs, 726 Cherry Street, Reading, PA 19602.

Questions regarding the Berks County Military Hall of Fame can be referred to: Director of the Berks County Department of Veterans Affairs, 610-378-5601 or veterans@countyofberks.com.

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FE ATURE – Lib ra r y S er v i ces

Library System Welcomes Familiar Face as Administrator

Meet Stephanie Williams

by Emily Orischak, Community Relations Coordinator, Berks County Public Libraries Her new position allowed Williams to work jointly with all tephanie Williams was recently approved as the System of the public libraries and library boards within Lebanon Administrator for the Berks County Public Library System.

County. There she served as the liaison between the Office Through the years, Williams has worn many hats during of Commonwealth Libraries and the library district, helping her time within the library community. After graduating in to coordinate districtwide programs and services to improve 2008 with a Master of Science in Library Science degree library resources across the county. She worked with libraries from Clarion University (now PennWest), she moved to Niles, to launch the Lebanon County Reads program in 2018.

Ohio where she worked as the children’s services librarian at McKinley Memorial Library for two years.

A similar position opened for the Reading Library District in 2019, and Williams jumped at the opportunity to once again But it didn’t take long for Williams to be drawn back to work in the county she calls home.

Pennsylvania. “Once my husband completed his Doctor of Pharmacy degree, we were able to move back into eastern “Our library system already receives a significant amount of Pennsylvania,” said Williams. “Growing up, summers at the funding support from the County Commissioners each year,” library were always an exciting time with all the unique programs said Williams. “During the pandemic, we expanded our digital happening for families. I began my career in youth services collection by purchasing several hundred new titles, and in due to the outstanding experiences I had as a child in my January this year, all 23 member library locations went finelocal library.” free. Neither of these accomplishments could have been possible without the additional funding support, and we’ve Williams spent the next 13 years in various library roles. seen the results. Library usage in Berks continues to grow, She served as a library director for both the Fleetwood with more than 540,000 individuals visiting libraries during and Robesonia libraries which both belong to the county the first seven months of 2023.” library system. During her time as director, Williams gained a greater understanding of the importance of library service, During her two years as Deputy Administrator/Outreach particularly for Berks. “Libraries remain trusted institutions Services Coordinator in the library system, Williams was able in our communities and provide access to information for to reinvigorate outreach services that were paused during the all individuals,” said Williams. “Berks libraries provide free pandemic, including the Prison Book Club at Berks County Jail. wireless access, to anyone who enters them, no library card She also launched the StoryWalk at Berks Nature earlier this required. Although, library staff are always ready to register year. Williams knows that working alongside her department’s you for a card!” staff and the system libraries will help bring more great services and opportunities to library cardholders in Berks County.

While she greatly enjoyed her time working in a library setting, Williams knew she could offer more to the library community “Our libraries have made great strides in providing excellent and later stepped into the district consultant role for the and equitable library service to Berks County, but that doesn’t Lebanon County Library District. mean we’re finished,” Williams said. “Libraries are designed to meet the needs of its community which are always evolving.

There’s no end point – only milestones along the way.”

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Berks1st - Keeping You Connected Fall 2023

Good Deeds Pay Big Dividends

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hen it comes to good deeds, there’s nothing better than giving people the kind of help that enables them to help themselves. Financial donations are wonderful and essential to the furthering of good causes, but teaching someone an important skill can pay dividends for a lifetime!

That’s what the Literacy Council of Reading-Berks has been doing for 55 years. If you grew up knowing how to read, you probably take that skill for granted. Those who don’t have that skill face all kinds of struggles that are hard for us to imagine.

The problem is more widespread than you might imagine.

About 90,000 adults in Berks County do not read well enough to complete a job application. This issue is far too large for us to handle on our own, but with your help, we can make a dent!

Volunteer! There’s nothing quite like working one-on-one with a person in need and seeing what a difference your effort is making in their life. No experience is required to become a tutor. We provide the necessary training!

You can work one-on-one with someone, volunteer in one of our classes, or start one of your own English-asa-second language classes in our community. We’re here to help you help us!

Improvements in overall literacy are important not just for the individuals affected, but to our entire community.

A better educated, more productive workforce is crucial to Berks County. Please consider helping us make Berks County an even better place to live and work!

MEET A PHYSICIAN

Dr. Ankit M. Shah, MD

What brought you to Berks County?

I trained in Emergency Medicine just a little north of Berks County in the Lehigh Valley area. From my first shift at Reading Hospital, it felt like the place I wanted to be for a very long time. Soon after, my wife also joined the Reading Hospital medical staff, and we moved down here. We are not originally from here, but despite that, we have been welcomed in and feel at home here. Our family is deeply engaged in the Berks County community. We feel a strong sense of belonging here.

What do you love about the art of medicine?

Medicine, generally speaking, has a sense of altruism for patients and their families. Not only am I responsible for helping to manage their health scare, but I am also responsible for helping to alleviate their fears and worries. That is a heavy responsibility that leaves me in awe, even as I enter my third decade of doing this job. Despite the challenges, I feel an incredible sense of duty and obligation to make every patient feel comforted during their medical issue.

What do you want the community to know about your practice?

The Emergency Department is open 24/7, and as one of the largest hospitals on the Eastern Seaboard, our ED is one of the top 10 highest volume EDs in the country. Many patients come to the ED for care because they feel they have nowhere else to turn. As a result, patients get frustrated with long wait times.

Please know that all ED staff care about you and want to do the best they can for you and your loved ones. We are here to care for patients. Please be patient and kind as we attempt to see everyone and anyone that comes in.

FIND A DOCTOR!

FO

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D E D 18

CIETY SO

www.lcrb.org

TY MEDICA UN

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Volunteer Today! It may be one of the most rewarding experiences you’ll ever have.

BERKS CO

BerksDoctors.com

Serving Berks County for 200 Years

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www.berkscms.org

www.countyofberks.com

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FE ATURE – Re h a b i li t a t i on Ser v ice s

Rehabilitation Services at Berks Heim

by Kelly Hart, MSPT - Director of Rehabilitation

Committed to providing quality care, Berks Heim’s goal is to maintain a resident’s highest level of function while upholding their optimal quality of life.

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n 1951, the cornerstone for the original Berks Heim was laid. Today, Berks Heim is still located in this picturesque setting in a state-of-the-art building built in 2005, housing 420 skilled nursing care beds. Berks Heim continues its tradition of caring – offering skilled long-term nursing care, a secure memory care program, and rehabilitation services provided by Advantage Care Rehabilitation.

Berks Heim is committed to facilitating the achievement of the highest functional potential for each patient and resident.

Patients utilize services for short-term rehabilitation with a goal for discharge to the next level of care. This may include a personal care facility, an assisted living facility, home, or independent living. When a patient is discharged from Berks Heim, they receive referrals for services necessary for care to continue in a safe living environment. These services may include home caregiver services, home health services, meals on wheels, and transportation – just to name a few.

Residents in long-term care at Berks Heim receive rehabilitation services as needed. Committed to providing quality care, Berks Heim’s goal is to maintain a resident’s highest level of function while upholding their optimal quality of life. The rehabilitation team at Berks Heim includes professionals in physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy, a fall prevention specialist, and a dementia specialist. Skilled therapy intervention is offered 365 days per year. Statistics demonstrate positive functional status outcomes for those using therapy services at Berks Heim.

The multi-disciplinary team provides care with an individualized approach while facilitating the achievement of personalized goals for the patients and residents. The team consists of therapists, skilled nurses, nursing assistants, physicians, infection preventionists, wound care specialists, social workers, registered nurse assessment coordinators, dietitians, and restorative nursing aides.

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Berks1st - Keeping You Connected Fall 2023

Stop Pain Are you considering knee replacement surgery?

Iovera° Cold Therapy administered prior to surgery can improve recovery time, reduce pain post-surgery, and lessen the need for opioids during recovery.

All these services are in addition to those provided by all of those employed at Berks Heim including admissions, administration, human resources, activity therapists, environmental services, dietary staff, chaplains, laundry staff, volunteers and others. Each team member is dedicated to the social, emotional, and physical well-being of the Berks Heim patients and residents.

The spacious Berks Heim therapy gym houses modalities including electrical stimulation, ultrasound, cryotherapy, and heat therapy. The gym features parallel bars, standing frames, sit/stand assist lifts, stairs, splint making resources, a variety of weights and activities and equipment as well as a functional activity room which is an enclosed area that simulates a functional home environment. Clinical programs in use at Berks Heim include Fall Prevention, Recliner Use, Independent Mobility, Contractures, Splinting and Positioning, Adaptive Eating Equipment, Modified Diet, and Communication Barriers.

The Berks Heim therapy team participates in walking rounds focused on resident advocacy for therapy services while screening patients and residents for functional changes.

The team communicates with families and involved parties in relation to a patient or resident’s prior level of function, functional changes, and/or goals of therapy.

484-628-2663 | berksiovera.com

In addition to physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy, Berks Heim also specializes in the following: • • • • • • • • • •

Strengthening Contractures Transfers Assistive Device Use Balance Falls Pain Adaptive Equipment Use Activity Sequencing Speech and Language

• • • • • • • • • •

Range of Motion Walking Bed Mobility Splinting Vertigo Safety Awareness Activities of Daily Living Orientation Energy Conservation Diet Modifications

Berks Heim continues to provide optimal care for patients and families through a long-standing tradition of caring. The therapy team remains committed to providing a positive, uplifting, comprehensive skilled approach to therapy services while offering a personalized plan of care and advocating for the optimal safety and functional independence for each patient and resident of Berks Heim.

www.countyofberks.com

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FE ATURE – Lib ra r y S er v i ces

t h a n just E R MO

BOOKS

Our Accessibility Collection

by Emily Orischak, Community Relations Coordinator, Berks County Public Libraries

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hen imagining a public library, a specific image usually springs to mind: a large room with rows of towering bookshelves, filled end-to-end with titles on almost any subject. A line of computer stations sits nestled along the wall beside the circulation desk where a library staff member organizes books, DVDs, and other materials.

While this and other similar images are how many people view their library, over the last several years there’s been a nationwide challenge to the public perception of libraries as just local book lenders.

“Libraries are trying to change a centuries-old association of being book depositories,” noted Stephanie Williams, System Administrator for the Berks County Public Libraries System.

“Readers should rest assured that books will remain a core part of our service offerings, but the resources and opportunities we offer today extend well beyond books.”

Shortly after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the library system received a request from a local patron whose son is visually impaired. The statewide shutdown prevented this patron from receiving accessible materials for her son through the Library of Accessible Materials for Pennsylvanians (LAMP), and she was reaching out to the library system to meet this need.

Inspired by this request, system staff members began procuring items for a new collection designed to support young learners with adaptive learning needs. Later that same year, the Accessibility & Supportive Learning Collection was launched.

“While this unique collection initially served to fill a gap exposed by the pandemic, we saw the immense value these materials would provide our local community as a whole,” Williams said. “In the nearly two-and-a-half years since its creation, over 720 items have been borrowed from the Accessibility & Supportive Learning Collection.”

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What’s in the Collection The Accessibility & Supportive Learning Collection is a specially curated group of games, activities, and tools that focus on five primary areas: • American Sign Language • Sensory Exploration • Tactile/Braille Learning • Language and Counting Development • STEM Resources Accessible games and kits make up the majority of items within the collection with over 100 assorted sets available for patrons to browse and borrow.

These materials are great for families with children who would benefit from hands-on play and discovery. From those wanting to explore spatial reasoning and fine motor control to those interested in a fun introduction to mechanical engineering or coding, the Accessibility & Supportive Learning Collection’s robust inventory of kits and games offer a specialized approach to learning.

EnChroma Color Blind Glasses

The county library system introduced color blind glasses into its collection at the Village Library of Morgantown in a live reveal event held June 2021 as part of the year-long celebration of its 35th anniversary.

The inclusion of this specialty eyewear was inspired by a library system staff member who has color vision deficiency (CVD).

Additional research showed that nearly 1 in 12 men and 1 in 200 women have some form of CVD. For Berks County with a population of 428,840, the statistical estimate of color vision deficient persons would be close to 19,000.

Currently there are 18 pairs of color blind glasses available for patrons to borrow. These include indoor and outdoor variations in sizes for adults and children along with a fit-over style for those with prescription glasses.

Braille Books

One of the latest additions to the collection, braille books are translated titles that use a braille embosser to “print” braille on heavier weighted paper.

There are several genres of braille books within the Accessibility & Supportive Learning Collection that serve as excellent tools for those who are blind, those who have low vision, or those wanting to practice reading braille.

Available titles include: • City of Bones—Cassandra Clare • Twilight—Stephanie Meyer • The Hunger Games—Suzanne Collins • The Maze Runner—James Dashner • Jurassic Park—Michael Crichton • All materials in the Accessibility & Supportive Learning Collection will travel from library to library in Berks County when requested through the online catalog. While the collection is primarily centered on children’s materials, there are plenty of accessible items for adults to borrow.

Learn More Library patrons interested in exploring the collection or wishing to suggest a purchase should visit www.berkslibraries.org/supportive-learning.

www.countyofberks.com

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FE ATURE – Re d evelo p m ent

transforming the terminus V

by Nathaniel Guest, Vice President, Colebrookdale Railroad Company Board of Directors

isitors to the Colebrookdale Railroad’s terminus in Boyertown will notice the early stages of what is likely to be a profound transformation. The once nearly abandoned gravel lot known as the Boyertown Yard was identified by a community-wide Visioning and Strategic Action Plan as critical terrain in welcoming visitors to the downtown. The Yard’s rebirth as the arrival point for outof-town visitors was priority one for the development of a tourism-based economy in Boyertown.

The Yard is central to many of Boyertown’s tourism assets. It includes the Colebrookdale Railroad – the #2-rated heritage railway in North America, the Boyertown Museum of Historic Vehicles – one of the nation’s finest collection of historic automobiles, the General Spaatz World War II Museum, the Taylor Backes Glassblowing studio, and a host of quaint shops and eateries.

The challenge of overcoming a half-century of disinvestment in the Yard was taken on by the Berks County Redevelopment Authority. Over the course of nearly a decade, in partnership with the nonprofit Colebrookdale Railroad Preservation Trust, incremental improvements have created brick walkways, Edwardian-era landscaping, and southeastern Pennsylvania’s largest gaslamp district. The Yard features historic architectural elements gathered from across Pennsylvania, including 500,000 brick street pavers gathered from Reading, Harrisburg, and 18

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Pittsburgh; monumental entry gates from Pittsburgh; historic iron fence from Bethlehem; gas lamps from Philadelphia, and more. A community fountain and town clock are currently under construction.

Each year, the space welcomes tens of thousands of visitors from around the world and hosts numerous community events.

To better fulfill this role, the Yard is on track for significant future improvements. These include a welcome center and event support space, an extension of the Yard’s walkways and gas lamps one block to the south, and a farmer’s market intended to serve as a new business incubator.

The collaborative efforts of the Redevelopment Authority and the Trust won Berks County an Innovation Award in 2020 from the National Association of Counties. “What we’ve been able to do here – starting from zero dollars and bootstrapping a ground-up revitalization – is nothing short of miraculous, and the best is yet to come,” said Nathaniel Guest, Executive Director of the Trust. “It could not have happened without the dedication and expertise of Ken Pick, Executive Director of the Authority,” he said.

Work on the Welcome Center and Farmer’s Market is scheduled to commence in 2024, while other work on the Yard is ongoing.

FE ATURE – Re d evelo p m ent READING,

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183

Aviation Road

Berks Park 183

by Jonathan Heintzman, Berks County Public Relations Officer

B

erks County is dotted with relatively small areas that are ripe for development. There are a thousand reasons that these parcels of land may remain undeveloped.

Some, like Berks Park 183, stand poised to regain past glory and once again contribute to the region’s economy.

Berks Park 183 is a tract of land that originally served as part of Reading Army Air Field in World War II. Along with serving as the 390th Army Air Force Base Unit, the site housed German POWs during the war. By the end of the war the base was inactivated as an active military base and by 1950 had been turned over to civil control. In the nearly 75 years since, the 155-acre tract comprising Berks Park 183 sat largely unused.

Until now.

Now, Berks Park 183 is in the midst of a renaissance! Since the Berks County Industrial Development Authority (BerksIDA) secured the release of the land from the Federal Aviation Administration over a decade ago, it worked tirelessly to marshall the site through planning, design, and development into a fully-entitled, park zoned for light and medium industrial use. To date, BerksIDA invested over $17 million in planning, design and capital improvements, including new stormwater controls, fiber, and gas, widening and hardening of the road for truck traffic, as well as improvements and upgrades to water, wastewater, and power.

These investments paid off. This summer, SunCap Property Group completed construction of a $40 million, last-mile distribution warehouse on 35 acres of the site that alone created more than 200 jobs and generated up to an additional $1 million in annual property taxes for Berks County, Bern Township, and Schuylkill Valley School District. In July of this year, Endurance Real Estate Group broke ground on an

additional 238,400-square-foot building at the park, expected to generate an additional 100 jobs and hundreds of thousands in property tax revenue for a lot that previously generated no value for Berks County.

So what’s next? Last year, BerksIDA secured $7 million in grant funding and special financing to facilitate the development of the final three lots in the Park. Once all lots are complete and in use, the estimated private investment will exceed $85 million, the site will support up to 500 jobs, and generate more than $2 million in annual property taxes.

“BerksIDA must thank all of the partners who provided vital support to the Berks Park 183 project including the Bern Township, the Commonwealth, PennDOT, Berks County, the Berks County Redevelopment Authority, and Greater Reading Chamber Alliance,” says Executive Director Jeremy Zaborowski.

To learn more about BerksIDA and its work, visit www.berksida.com.

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FE ATURE – Pa r k s & Rec rea t i o n

y a d i l Ho s t h g i L At Gring’s Mill December 1-30, 2023 Lauren Adele Little, PR & Marketing Coordinator, Berks County Parks & Recreation

W

ith the flick of a switch, a Berks County tradition will spring to life on December 1, bringing holiday merriment to all Berks Countians for its 35th year.

Holiday Lights at Gring’s Mill began in 1988 as a result of community interest in seeing more winter programs in the Parks & Recreation (Parks) Department offerings. Parks & Recreation Director Cathy Wegener, a Parks & Recreation staff member for 41 years, was there for the very first Holiday Lights program. The theme was “An Old-Fashioned Family Christmas.”

Parks & Recreation used pretzels, ribbons, pine cones, and popcorn as decorations on trees inside the Gring’s Mill barn.

Local businesses supported the event with donations for purchasing lights, sponsoring the entertainment and providing goodies to be handed out by Santa.

Many things have changed in the Holiday Lights program over the last 35 years, but some things have stayed the same.

For example, the entire event is a collaboration of everyone in the Berks County Parks & Recreation department – from maintenance, Berks County Park Rangers, programs staff, to management – everyone does something. It’s the Parks’ biggest program of the year and the longest running.

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Parks Maintenance Supervisor Brian Evans and his crew is responsible for putting up and maintaining the lights while also still keeping the Berks County Parks running. The 14-personcrew starts work for the light show at the end of September.

“You can tell they get into it,” Evans said. “They play holiday music while setting up lights in t-shirts, wrapping the tree in September, because it takes so long.”

“I think it’s a more laid-back experience than some of the other places, which is nice,” he continued. ”You can arrive and go at your own pace; with outdoor music you can pop into the pavilion, but then you can also roam the grounds, get something to eat. I think it’s a more quiet experience than some other place you might go to see lights.”

Another recent change is that food is now available from food trucks every night – usually at least one food truck and one beverage truck – with local favorites from a variety of cuisines. Roe organizes the food options.

Over the years, the light display was converted to all LED lights which created room for more displays. This year there will be three new displays for visitors to enjoy.

While all the extra work makes staff schedules hectic, Holiday Lights has the benefit of being able to see people enjoy their work, Evans said.

“The appreciation of the people saying thank you; overhearing them talk about the display… that’s where I get fulfillment from it,” Evans said. “People talking about how they used to come here as a kid, come here every year to take their family photo. That’s why I like walking around when the event starts.”

Lisa Gauker, Recreation and Special Events Supervisor, plans and executes the entertainment for Holiday Lights and created Christmas Tree Lane. Christmas Tree Lane was new last year and features decorated trees from local organizations that form a path through the barn to a favorite visitor – Santa himself!

“This is a unique way to get people out during the holiday season to enjoy our green spaces when they otherwise might not utilize the county parks,” says Lisa Gauker. “We like to keep our parks active and vary people’s experience of our parks throughout the year. There’s never a bad time to get outside.”

She reflected that COVID changed Holiday Lights by bringing more of the event outside, providing a different experience than in years past. Now visitors can spend more time wandering through displays while hearing music ringing through the Gring’s Mill Park from the pavilion, where entertainment is now stationed.

Dan Roe, Historic Resources Supervisor, agreed, “I think it’s more unique in the setting that it’s placed – walking in a public park, after hours, at night. I think that makes it an interesting experience.

“We’ll see several thousand visitors over the course of the month and it’s just a great opportunity to explore one of our parks and have a unique experience. I think it fulfills our mission of making the Parks as open and accessible as possible to our community,” he continued.

Wegener added, “It is one of our events that takes everybody to accomplish it and pull it off. Everyone can see the results and see families and people are having a good time and enjoying the park. The light in children’s eyes when they see Santa, the model railroad, or seeing the lights turn on…I look forward to coming out on a cold, clear night and seeing the lights. How beautiful it is hearing the music; even when it’s busy, it’s still peaceful, you can hear the water, see the stars.

“All of our programs and events are a service to the community, so we appreciate the contributions and donations from our sponsors… that allows us to share the holiday magic with everyone in Berks County and beyond,” Wegener said.

Stop by to check out traditional favorites as well as new surprises this December.

Holiday Lights at Gring’s Mill runs from Fridays to Sundays, December 1 to 17, and from Monday, December 18 to Saturday, December 23 and will continue after Christmas from December 28-30. Parking and admission is free. Up-to-date information can be found on our Facebook page, @berkscountyparks.

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FE ATURE – E co nom i c D evelo p m e n t

Great Things in Our First Year!

by Pamela Shupp Menet, Director of Community and Economic Development, and Derek Harris, Economic Development Coordinator

T

he Berks County Commissioners formally adopted the Strategic Economic Development Action Plan known as IMAGINE Berks on August 2, 2022. The plan is designed to guide the county’s economic development efforts for the next five years.

Over the past year the IMAGINE Berks Project Team, which includes county staff, the Berks County Redevelopment Authority (BCRA) and the Berks County Industrial Development Authority (BerksIDA), have overseen the work laid out in the plan.

Commissioner Christian Leinbach, Chair of the Board of Commissioners, said, “The county wanted to support a plan with actionable objectives and impactful outcomes. We are looking at what was accomplished in this past year and the IMAGINE Berks strategy is doing just that and yielding positive results.”

In the first year, over $28 million in funding was identified that is supporting projects and programs which align with the five focus areas in the plan: Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Talent and Economic Mobility, Housing, Placemaking, and Infrastructure & Land Use and Business & Industry Growth (combined into one focus area known as BuILD).

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At the one-year update, Pamela Shupp Menet, Director of Community and Economic Development, highlighted some of the successes achieved under each of these focus areas.

“We had an incredible opportunity because we had a plan at the right time when funds were available and could be directed toward implementation,” she said. “We identified projects that would have, otherwise, been very difficult – if not impossible – to undertake.”

BuILD

Goal: Encourage and support land and infrastructure development that increases the county tax base.

Actions taken: A countywide broadband network feasibility study was completed showing that there are parts of Berks that are unserved or underserved when it comes to broadband internet and that there is a need to increase digital literacy, particularly among older residents.

To help bridge the digital divide, Berks County will allocate $5.7 million to support broadband infrastructure projects in underserved areas of the county and will be funding two pilot digital literacy programs.

Small Business and Entrepreneurship Goal: Support small businesses and encourage entrepreneurship to enable the creation of high-growth ventures, main street amenities and wealth-building for residents.

Actions taken: Through the involvement of one of the county’s economic development partners, $2.8 million received from the State Small Business Credit Initiative will help small businesses access financing.

Funds were also distributed to provide access to markets by local farmers (specifically to Berks school districts) through the women-owned business Dirt 2 Dinner.

Talent and Economic Mobility Goal: Invest in people by supporting structures that connect residents to employment opportunities so that they may more fully contribute to and benefit from the county economy.

Housing

Goal: Address the county’s needs for new housing and redeveloped housing that is accessible and attainable.

Actions taken: Recognizing that a greater focus is needed on this issue, the Berks County Redevelopment Authority brought on Jaime Perez in April to serve as the county’s Housing Planner.

And we’re not finished yet! In looking ahead to Year 2, several key actions include rolling out a $5 million infrastructure fund, new micro-grant and micro-loan programs, focusing on opportunity job upskilling, supporting Main Streets and Boros, and identifying projects that align with the Greenway, Park, and Recreation Plan.

The one-year report and future updates on the plan’s progress are available at www.IMAGINEBerks.org.

Actions taken: The county is using a portion of $3.6 million it received from the Whole Home Repairs Program to bolster workforce development. Those funds will be provided to Berks Connections Pretrial Services to train formerly incarcerated individuals in construction trades.

Placemaking

Goal: Invest in and highlight community assets that provide access to a variety of arts, culture, greenspace, and recreation opportunities for all residents.

Actions taken: The county approved funding for major downtown projects in Boyertown, Kutztown, and Hamburg to enhance public and community gathering space and add to the revitalization of these boroughs.

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23

FE ATURE – Op i o i d Set t lem ent Fu n ds

Opioid Settlement Distribution Update A

By Stan Papademetriou, Berks Opioid Settlement Fund Consultant

series of lawsuits in the last several years leveled against a variety of pharmaceutical producers, distributors, and retailers regarding the opioid addiction crisis were settled and are in the process of distribution. Berks County received its first of eighteen payments in 2022 from a nationwide settlement with Janssen Pharmaceutical and the three largest pharmaceutical distributors – McKessson, Cardinal Health and Amerisource Bergen. The total payout nationwide of this 2021 settlement will be $26 billion over eighteen years. Pennsylvania will receive more than $1 billion and Berks County’s total portion is $13,154,451.

Each PA county receives and is responsible to manage its own specific allocation. However, the overall management and governance of the opioid settlement funds in Pennsylvania is the responsibility of the PA Opioid Misuse and Addiction Abatement Trust. Aside from managing the funds, the Trust is also responsible for collecting information from each county on how settlement funds are being spent and determine if funded projects conform with the requirements of the national opioid settlement agreement.

For more information regarding the Pennsylvania and Berks County opioid settlement visit the following websites: COCA (cocaberks.org) Pennsylvania Opioid Trust (paopioidtrust.org)

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In March 2022, the Berks County Board of Commissioners identified the Council on Chemical Abuse (COCA) as the organization to manage the Berks County Opioid Settlement funds. COCA has served as Berks County’s Single County Authority for drug and alcohol planning and programming since 1972 and as such has the depth of experience to manage such funds. A general plan was developed by COCA in conjunction with the county on how to utilize the opioid settlement funds.

Generally, these funds are meant to provide opioid treatment, remediation and other forward-looking solutions. The national opioid settlement document outlines examples of various activities, programs and services that can be supported through the funds.

The opioid settlement funds provide resources to help communities ensure that adequate quality treatment and recovery support services are available, enhance and expand medication treatment opportunities, and support systems to identify and connect individuals with services. The settlement also allows for specific consideration for services to pregnant and post-partum women as well as those involved in the criminal justice system. There is also a significant emphasis on prevention. This includes efforts with youth, those who may be at risk of developing an opioid use disorder, and strategies to decrease overdose deaths and reduce the harm associated with opioid use disorders. Finally, the settlement funds are available to support local leadership and planning, workforce development, research and assist local first responders.

The opioid settlement agreement seeks to address opioid use disorders and overdoses and targets three key areas: • treatment/support for those suffering from an opioid use disorder and their loved ones • prevention and harm-reduction efforts • fortifying the local infrastructure and increasing the capacity to address these issues.

In Berks County, opioid settlement funds will be used to address gaps in services, while also maintaining and enhancing established programs and activities. This includes supporting new and supplementary services that complement and/ or enhance existing programs while avoiding unnecessary duplication of effort. The funds will also be used to provide sustainability for proven and effective services for expiring grant programs. As stated above, all such funds must be used in accordance with the requirements of the national opioid settlement.

To date, several programs and services have been funded through the Berks Opioid Settlement Funds. These activities include: • continuing and increasing medication assisted treatment services at the Berks County Jail, • enhancing available treatment funding for Opioid Use Disorders, • implementing a workforce development program for those in early recovery from an Opioid Use Disorder, • providing transportation services to treatment and recovery support appointments, and • strengthening education/support services to school students and increasing recovery support services available in the community.

Berks County has a proven record of providing necessary support to address opioid and other substance use issues.

The opioid settlement funds add significant resources to help remedy the devastating opioid/overdose crisis the local community continues to face. The settlement funds will not only help to maintain, improve, and expand already existing services, but there is an opportunity to establish new and innovative services.

Finally, another national opioid settlement has recently been reached with the pharmaceutical companies Allegan and Teva as well as the pharmacy chains CVS, Walgreens and Walmart.

The funds available through this second settlement could be considerable, however, the final information regarding dollar amounts and timelines for this second settlement is not currently available.

More information regarding services funded through Berks County Opioid Settlement funds can be found at www.cocaberks.org.

Interested parties seeking Berks County opioid settlement funds can submit a concept paper to COCA outlining the proposed service.

Concept papers must be submitted to OpioidSettlement@COCABerks.org.

The concept paper is initially reviewed by COCA to determine if the proposed services are aligned with the opioid settlement and if it meets the local guidelines as outlined above. Those proposals that meet these criteria are reviewed with the county prior to being submitted to the COCA board of directors for funding approval.

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Visit cocaberks.org/narcan or scan here to order a free replacement or a new first-time kit.

This project is made possible, in whole or in part, by funds received through the Berks County Opioid Settlement Agreement.

www.countyofberks.com

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Co u nt y 1 0 1 - B er k s Co u nt y Are a A ge n cy o n A g in g

Berks County Area Agency on Aging County 101 is a recurring feature that takes a deeper look at one of the County of Berks’ many departments to further explain the services and programs available to residents.

LEADERSHIP: Jessica M. Jones, Director, Berks County Area Agency on Aging Katie Catchmark, Deputy Director, Berks County Area Agency on Aging MISSION STATEMENT: The mission of the Berks County Area Agency on Aging is to provide services, based on need, to all older Berks County residents and those with disabilities; empowering selfdetermination; advocating for their rights; and promoting the highest possible level of independence.

IN A NUTSHELL: The Berks County Area Agency on Aging serves county residents with comprehensive services for our Over-60 population. As the Area Agency on Aging, we provide a variety of services and programs to assist families and individuals over 60 achieve independence to be self-sufficient. Whether someone requires senior center services, in-home services, a comprehensive assessment, information and referral services, care management, caregiver support services, protective services or adult day care centers, our agency is here to help individuals access and acquire those services. We are proud to be here to support and serve our aging community.

WHAT PROGRAMS DO YOU PROVIDE? The agency is available to assist older adults 24-hours-a-day.

Our goal is to counsel older adults in available resources and supports that best fit their identified needs. From there, we are able to recommend appropriate programs and services.

Our comprehensive services include: Intake Unit For many older adults and their families, their first contact with the Agency is through this unit. Knowledgeable staff are available weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to provide information and referrals for older adults and their families.

OPTIONS Program Older adults are care managed through the OPTIONS program which includes home and community-based services. The services in this program are provided to eligible participants aged 60+ to assist them in maintaining independence at the highest level of functioning in the community and ultimately delay the need for more costly care/services.

Protective Services The Older Adults Protective Services Act protects Pennsylvanians 60 years of age and older against physical, emotional, or financial abuse as well as exploitation, neglect or abandonment. Approximately 1-in-10 Americans over 60 has experienced elder abuse, according to the National Council on Aging. It is estimated that more than five million older adults are abused each year. The actual number is likely 26

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much higher since it is estimated that only 1-in-24 cases of elder abuse are ever reported to authorities.

The Agency is required to conduct a comprehensive investigation into all areas of potential abuse. During the 2021-22 fiscal year, the agency investigated 1,225 reports of alleged abuse. Of these reports, 40 percent were determined to be substantiated with the older adult being at risk. The top three allegations received statewide continue to be allegations of self-neglect, caregiver neglect and financial exploitation.

Reports on abuse can be made on behalf of an older adult regardless whether the person lives in their home or in a care facility such as a nursing facility, personal care home hospital, etc. Reporting abuse is voluntary and anonymous for the public and the law protects all reporters from retaliation and civil or criminal liability.

Ombudsman Program The Pennsylvania’s Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program is designed to support and empower individuals residing in long-term care settings such as nursing homes, assisted living and personal care homes. Berks County Ombudsmen provide residents with resources, direction and advocacy to work to resolve complaints, and issues on behalf of individuals residing in long-term care settings. Ombudsmen educate individuals about their rights as residents while working to improve and enhance the long-term living system for the residents and their families.

Home Delivered Meal Program The Agency supports and contracts with providers to provide seven meals weekly to qualified older adults. The meals meet federal nutritional standards and are a large part of the Agency’s budget annually. They are delivered five days per week by community volunteers to the older adults’ homes.

Eligible individuals also receive case management services that provide nutrition screening, education, and counseling.

PA MEDI (formerly APPRISE) Provides one-on-one counseling to seniors regarding their options for affordable, quality health care coverage and prescription medication coverage as well as assist with the enrollment process and to make changes during the open enrollment period, annually.

Caregiver Support Program The Pennsylvania Caregiver Support Program works to ease the stresses of caregiving by focusing on the well-being of the caregiver. The program provides the primary caregiver with reimbursement for out-of-pocket costs associated with caregiving, such as respite, caregiving-related services and supplies. The program also offers education, training, counseling and more. Each caregiver is assigned a care manager who will visit the care receiver’s home, conduct a comprehensive assessment of the needs of the caregiver, provide support, and work with them to develop a person-centered plan of care.

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren The Grandparent Program allows assistance for a grandparent or older relative (but not the parent) age 55 and older to act as the primary caregiver for a grandchild(ren) or caring for adults with disabilities. This is a program that provides reimbursement for costs associated with raising a grandchild(ren).

Health & Wellness Program Evidence-based educational programs/classes are offered to adults age 60+ to take charge of the management of their chronic diseases, such as diabetes, arthritis and heart disease, and others. Additional classes include fall prevention education which includes a fall risk assessment, discussion about environmental concerns related to falls and injuries from falls, and an exercise class to improve balance, strength and flexibility.

Home and Community Based Services The Assessment Unit provides a comprehensive functional eligibility determination (FED) assessment of need for consumers seeking home care services or long-term care in a facility. This face-to-face assessment is completed with the consumer to determine their needs and the most appropriate resources available to meet those needs.

The assessment looks at all parts of a person’s life – physical, cognitive, financial, informal supports and their environment.

The assessment process acts as a gateway to Medical Assistance (MA)-funded home and community-based services.

Senior Community Centers The Agency provides funding for eight Senior Centers across Berks County. The Centers serve as a community hub where individuals aged 50 and older can gather with one another and access a wide array of services, activities, special events, wellness classes, education, and a hot lunch. Center programs fulfill many social, physical, emotional, and intellectual needs of seniors. Center programs and activities support older adults’ independence and encourage their involvement in the community.

ARE THERE OTHER SERVICES YOU OFFER THAT YOU WISH MORE PEOPLE WERE AWARE OF? Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program This annual program, run by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, provides low-income seniors with fresh, nutritious, unprepared, locally grown fruits, vegetables, and herbs from approved farmers market sites. Every year, the Area Agency on Aging is the conduit to distribute checks to seniors at multiple community distribution locations. This year, each eligible person received $50 to purchase fruits and vegetables.

Approximately 18,000 checks will have been distributed by our agency this year.

Produce Plus Program This program provides fresh produce to older adults once weekly. The fresh produce supplements are delivered weekly to individuals who are receiving Home Delivered Meals. The goal of the program is to support healthy eating and provide fresh produce to homebound older adults.

Weatherization Services This service is provided in partnership with Berks Community Action Program (BCAP) to assist homeowners with repairs and modifications. The goal is to assist older adults with home maintenance to allow them to remain in the community.

CONTACT INFORMATION: Berks County Area Agency on Aging Berks County Services Center, 8th Floor 633 Court Street Reading, PA 19601 Phone: 610-478-6500 Website: www.berksaging.org Facebook: Berks County Area Agency on Aging

www.countyofberks.com

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FE ATURE – Trea t m ent Cou r t

WHAT IS TREATMENT COURT?

By Jonathan Heintzman, Berks County Public Relations Officer

T

reatment courts may be unknown to most people outside the justice system. The Treatment Courts have gained prominence nationally as innovative and effective alternatives to traditional court systems. These specialized courts offer a range of benefits that not only address the root causes of criminal behavior but also promote rehabilitation, reduce recidivism, save taxpayer dollars, and alleviate burdens on overcrowded prisons.

Berks County Treatment Court falls into four categories – DUI Treatment, Mental Health Treatment, Veterans Treatment, and Drug Treatment. Each court has specific eligibility and application processes. For example, anyone charged with violence, sexual offenses, drug deliveries or firearms offenses may be excluded from the program; Veterans Treatment Court participants must have an honorable discharge from any of the military branches; Mental Health Treatment Court participants must have an updated mental health diagnosis from a treatment facility within the last five years; and so on.

Jessica Bodor, the Berks County Assistant Chief Adult Probation Officer, said it is important to understand that the county recognizes that there are people struggling with substance use and mental health issues.

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Berks1st - Keeping You Connected Fall 2023

“We want to do everything we can to help those people make positive changes in their lives. Our goal is to put programming into place that will help with behavioral change and not clog up the jail with people who don’t need to be there. Putting people into jail because of an underlying substance use disorder isn’t going to benefit that individual or the community,” Bodor said.

Rehabilitation over Punishment One of the most significant benefits of treatment courts is their focus on addressing underlying issues which contribute to criminal behavior. Rather than simply punishing offenders, treatment courts aim to identify the root causes of their actions, which often involve substance use, mental health disorders, or trauma. By addressing these factors through a combination of counseling, therapy, and support services, treatment courts target the underlying reasons individuals find themselves entangled in the criminal justice system.

Treatment courts emphasize rehabilitation over punishment.

Traditional criminal courts frequently result in incarceration, which can lead to a cycle of repeated offenses upon release.

Treatment courts, on the other hand, provide participants with the tools they need to overcome their challenges and reintegrate into society as productive members. This approach not only benefits the individuals involved but also society as a whole, as it reduces recidivism (the tendency of a convicted individual to reoffend). This reduced recidivism is attributed to the comprehensive support and treatment provided by these specialized courts. Treatment courts break the cycle of repeat offenses and create a path towards lasting change.

“Some people think that Treatment Court is a ‘soft hand’ for offenders,” Berks County Treatment Court Judge Eleni Geishauser said. “This is not an easy option. We are in their lives. We monitor their movements. We measure for substance use. We hold them accountable for their actions and their behavior in the program,” Judge Geishauser said.

During a recent weekly appearance in DUI Treatment Court, one of the program participants had accumulated infractions against the rules of the program. Judge Geishauser summarily and immediately remanded the man to Berks County Jail for 24 hours.

“If you went to criminal court, you would be facing a minimum of a seven-year sentence,” Judge Geishauser told the man before the sheriff ’s deputy took him away. “I really hope that you use this time to reflect on what you want and how you can make this program work for you.”

Team Approach Treatment courts operate under a collaborative framework involving judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, treatment professionals, and support services. This collaborative approach fosters a more holistic understanding of each participant’s situation and needs, resulting in tailored treatment plans that are more likely to succeed. By bringing together a diverse team of experts, treatment courts create a supportive environment that empowers individuals to overcome their challenges.

Each Berks County Treatment Court Team consists of a Judge, Assistant District Attorney, Public Defender, Coordinator, Probation Officer(s), the Council On Chemical Abuse (COCA), Treatment Access Services Center (TASC), Berks Connections Pretrial Service (BCPS), Forensic Case Managers from local treatment providers, and others. The Veterans Treatment Court Program also includes a Veterans Justice Outreach Coordinator (VJO) who works for the Veterans Administration.

Each team holds meetings every two weeks to discuss each participant’s progress and collaborate on how to achieve a successful outcome for each participant.

Probation Officers Leading the Charge There have historically been some misconceptions about the role of probation and parole officers. Officers have been portrayed in the media as solely being responsible for holding individuals accountable for their actions, with violations leading to reincarceration. County probation and parole officers are highly trained professionals who spend significant time with those whom they supervise, practicing skills, developing competencies, and delivering cognitive behavioral interventions during one-on-one meetings and in group settings. Treatment court participants receive these services on a much more intensive level than most others involved in court-ordered supervision. According to Chief Probation and Parole Officer Daniel Heydt, probation officers are often the catalyst for long-term behavioral change for those under court ordered supervision.

“Treatment courts highlight the commitment that Berks County probation officers have in improving the lives of those whom they work with, and protecting the community through long-term behavioral change,” Heydt said. continued on next page

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FE ATURE – Trea t m ent Cou r t He went on praising the collective efforts of county employees and their collaborators, recalling changes that he has witnessed in the lives of treatment court graduates. “There is no greater feeling than seeing the transformation that successful treatment court participants go through. Everyone involved in this endeavor truly cares about helping people; they are life changing, and I could not be more proud.”

Treatment courts also offer financial benefits. Incarceration is costly, and overcrowded jails strain government budgets. By diverting individuals with substance abuse or mental health issues away from traditional incarceration and into treatment programs, treatment courts not only save money but also allocate resources more effectively. This approach allows the county to invest in programs that have a higher chance of creating positive outcomes for individuals and our community.

According to Heydt, 44,131 jail days were avoided due to participation in treatment courts.

Treatment courts also help to reduce the stigma of mental health and addiction issues. By treating these issues as medical conditions rather than moral failings, treatment courts play a vital role in changing perceptions. This shift in perspective encourages individuals to seek help for their problems, rather than fearing judgment or punishment. As a result, treatment courts contribute to a more compassionate and understanding society.

Ultimately, treatment courts promote a sense of accountability, responsibility, and accomplishment among participants.

Through regular check-ins, drug testing, and compliance with treatment plans, individuals in treatment courts learn to take ownership of their actions and work towards their own recovery. This sense of accountability can have a profound impact on participants’ self-esteem and motivation to change, leading to better outcomes in the long run.

During a recent court session, the program participants were filing out of the courtroom; the court staff and officers were stashing notebooks and files. One of the program participants asked to speak to Judge Geishauser for a moment. The judge waved him forward and the young man stood behind a set of desks for the court officers.

“I just wanted to say thank you,” the man said, rocking slightly from foot to foot. “This has made a big difference for me.”

A smile bloomed on the judge’s face and she told the man that she and the Treatment Court team was proud of the work he had done throughout his program and that he was on track to graduate in the coming months.

“You did this,” the judge responded. “You did it. And I know you’ll keep trying. Keep up the good work!”

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Berks1st - Keeping You Connected Fall 2023

M u nici p al N ew s

s w e N l a p i c i Mun

Upper Tulpehocken Township

Brecknock Township

Please visit www.UpperTulpehockenTownship.com for all Upper Tulpehocken Twp. & Strausstown Village information.

Supervisor meetings are held the second Tues. of every month at 7 pm. Residents are encouraged to attend. Strausstown Gun Club Touch-a-Truck Event is happening Oct. 21 at 11 am. Santa Claus arrives at the Strausstown Volunteer Fire Co. on Nov. 25 at 6 pm.

Brecknock Township encourages all to visit our Township’s website, www.brecknockberks.com. Here you can find our meeting agendas, permit applications, fee schedule, ordinances, current newsletter, upcoming events and contact information for the Township Office and Police Department.

You can also follow us on Facebook.

Bern Township

Detective Sergeant Brett A. Forry was recently appointed Bern Township Chief of Police, after serving in the Department for more than twenty years. He took over from Chief Wesley R. Waugh, who retired after 43 years in law enforcement.

Patrolman Joshua Santos was promoted to Detective.

Good Things are Happening in Kenhorst! There’s a Pickle Ball Court open from dawn to dusk in our beautiful Kenhorst Playground Park/Playground on Muncy Avenue. If you like to hike, keep an eye out for the construction of the Angelica Creek Trail Extension coming soon to Kenhorst! For info, visit www.kenhorstborough.com.

Union Township

West Reading Borough

Please visit https://www.unionberks.org/ for all Township information. Supervisor meetings are held the third Wednesday of every month at 7 pm; residents are encouraged to attend.

Richmond Township

Visit our website at www.richmondtownshipberks.com. Our Board of Supervisor meetings are held the 2nd Monday of every month at 7:00 PM. All meetings are video recorded and can be viewed on YouTube following the meetings; check our website for the link. The Board is currently reviewing ordinances to ban residential burning; please check our website for updates.

Leesport Township

Upcoming events: Oct. 27 - Leesport Lock House, Fall Fling at the Lock House, Bon fire with light refreshments, 6pm. Nov. 4 - Harvest Moon Festival, Leesport Playground, 5pm-8pm. Nov. 18 - Leesport Lock House, Holiday Open House, Baked goods, warm mulled cider, Noon-3pm. Visit www.leesport.org and subscribe to the quarterly newsletter.

Cumru Township

Governor Mifflin Community Days were held in July within Cumru Township for the first time. The Cumru Township Board of Commissioners wishes to thank all those who helped make it a safe and successful event.

Kenhorst Borough

West Reading Borough has matured into a thriving, walkable community with large trees shading residential streets. We are proud to be the very first Main Street Community in Berks County. Public art murals can be viewed from the Cherry Street Mural Corridor, “Dean’s Way.” Which are some of your favorites?

North Heidelberg Township

Greetings from North Heidelberg Township! Please feel free to join us at our regular monthly meetings which can be found on our website northheidelbergtwp.org.

Calling All Municipalities!

If you have news you would like to publish in our Spring 2024 issue, please contact Jonathan Heintzman, Berks County Public Relations Officer at JHeintzman@countyofberks.com for more information.

Unlock a World of Opportunities.

Speak with a AAA Travel Agent.

Call 610-374-5600 or scan the QR code to book an appointment.

Lower Alsace Township

Lower Alsace Twp. sits at the foothills of Mount Penn and Antietam Lake – great for fishing, hiking, and mountain biking.

Check the Antietam Valley Community Partnership website at www.antietamvalley.org for events, such as the Carsonia Craft Beer & Wine Amusement featuring the Good Lovin’ Jam Band, & the Antietam Valley Farmers’ & Artists’ Market. www.countyofberks.com

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E M P LOY M E NT OPP ORT U NITIE S

County of Berks

Check out all employment opportunities and apply online: www.countyofberks.com.

Assistant Director - Nursing (Berks Heim Nursing & Rehabilitation) The ADON has administrative authority, responsibility and accountability for assisting in the functions and activities of the Nursing Service staff.

Assists the Director of Nursing (DON) in the overall operation of the department in accordance with applicable federal, state and local standards, guidelines and regulations. The ADON assesses, implements and supervises total resident care on shift by subscribing to Berks Heim Nursing department’s philosophies and objectives, standard for geriatric nursing practice, ANA Code for Nurses (P/P #1100-01) as well as following Pennsylvania Professional Nurse Practice Act, PA LPN Act, and Berks Heim Policy and Procedure.

Assitant District Attorney The County of Berks is seeking qualified applicants for the position of Assistant District Attorney.

Primary responsibilities concentrate on one of three main areas; preliminary hearings, Juvenile Court, or the Court of Common Pleas and involve reviewing, researching, preparing, and presenting cases at various criminal proceedings. Position requires a JD degree, admission to the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania and experience and training, which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. Responsibilities are based on experience.

Assitant Public Defender I-II Public Defenders provide legal representation for indigent persons at Summary Hearings, Preliminary Hearings, Mental Health Hearings, State Parole Violation Hearings, Appeals, and Juvenile Court. Representation includes meeting clients, evaluating case and evidence, providing advice to client, negotiation with police and District Attorney’s Office as well as conducting hearings.

Certified Nursing Assistant - (Berks Heim Nursing & Rehabilitation) The Nursing Assistant provides resident care under the direction of the Charge Nurse and assists the nursing team in maintaining the nursing and resident units. Nursing Assistants provide for the physical care and psychosocial needs of the residents. The Nursing Assistant treats residents with respect, maintains resident confidentiality and always utilizes standard precautions while carrying out assigned duties.

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Correctional Officer - Jail System Controls and supervises inmates in open settings including housing units, recreation areas, and work details. Maintains physical security in the jail environment, provides inmates with direction, supervises visitors, and ensures that overall daily operations run smoothly and on time.

County Caseworker II - 2nd Shift (Children & Youth Services) Investigate all types of suspected abuse, including physical, sexual, emotional and serious physical neglect, as well as reports of suspected general neglect during the second shift. Supplements Emergency Duty function of the agency.

Work is performed in accordance with established State and County regulations, policies and procedures and employees are expected to exercise independent judgment and initiative. Work is reviewed by a County Casework Supervisor by reviewing individual caseworker’s ability, compliance with regulations/procedures and time frames.

Deputy Sheriff The purpose of the Berks County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Sheriff is to serve and protect the citizens of the County of Berks and its Judicial System through efficiency and professionalism.

The position performs general duty work in the Sheriff’s Office and may be assigned to any of the several divisions or specialized positions within the Office. Assigned duties are performed in accordance with state statutes and Office rules and regulations.

A Deputy Sheriff is required to exercise initiative and discretion when faced with emergency conditions. Some assignments may involve an element of personal danger.

The position of Deputy Sheriff is a law enforcement position requiring advanced education, training, and/or experience. The position requires the Deputy to uphold the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the United States of America, as well as the Constitutions of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the United States of America.

Dietary Aide - Berks Heim Nursing (Full time & Part Time) Assists in the preparation and serving of food and in the cleaning of Dietary area, equipment, and dishware under general supervision; trains new employees as directed by supervisor; does related work as required. All work performed must comply with Infection Control Guidelines.

Responsible to let supervisor know when out of supplies needed to do the job.

Berks1st - Keeping You Connected Fall 2023

LPN Staff Nurse - Berks Heim Nursing (All Shifts/Full Time & Part Time) A licensed practical nurse who has met all legal requirements for registration in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. (Assumes role of Charge Nurse in absence of unit Charge Nurse.)

Network Engineer (Information Systems Department) The Network Engineer is responsible for infrastructure maintenance and planning in regard to network and internet connectivity. The Network Engineer must have a high degree of networking knowledge, as well as the ability to troubleshoot and analyze problems. The Network Engineer plays a vital role in the County’s information security and is responsible for the security of County systems and data.

Nursing Supervisor 2nd Shift - Berks Heim Nursing & Rehabilitation The Nursing Supervisor has the responsibility of assisting in the planning, organizing, developing, and directing nursing service in accordance with current applicable federal, state, local, and facility standards, guidelines, and regulations, and as directed by the department director or administration, to assure that the highest degree of quality resident care is maintained at all times.

Park Attendant - Parks Park Attendants are part time year round and seasonal employees that are responsible for overseeing all picnic reservations, meetings, wedding groups and other outside special functions ie: fundraising walks, runs that occur at any Park facilities.

The Park Attendant serves as the front line contact with the public and is required to assist Park patrons and visitors with information and direction. Park Attendants also assist Park Rangers with parking and other duties as needed. The Attendant must enjoy working with people, be available on a varied schedule working evenings and weekends and holidays, primarily in the summer season. Attendants will be scheduled to work at different Park locations, including overseeing operations. at the Stonecliffe Recreation Area and Action Park, Gring’s Mill and all other Department facilities.

RN Staff Nurse - Berks Heim Nursing (FT/ PT- All Shifts) A Registered Nurse who has met all legal requirements for registration in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. May assume role of Charge Nurse in the absence of unit Charge Nurse. The Staff Nurse of a Unit or PRN provides quality professional nursing care to residents following established policies of this facility.

Sergeant (Custody - Jail Systems) Supervises correctional staff assigned to security positions.

Maintains physical security in the Jail environment by providing correctional officers and inmates with direction, supervises visitors, and ensures effective daily operations. This is a first-line working supervisor who oversees approximately 40 correctional officers per shift. This is also the first level of supervision outside of the bargaining unit.

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JOIN OUR TEAM

When you join the County of Berks, you become part of a community committed to doing the very best for the residents we serve. We offer a wide variety of careers, from public safety and human services to medical, clerical, and more, with excellent benefits: • Health, Vision & Dental • Paid Holidays and Vacation • Employee Wellness Programs

• Pension • Loan Forgiveness Program • Tuition Reimbursment

Check out all employment opportunities and apply online:

www.countyofberks.com

It is the policy of the County of Berks to provide employment, training, compensation, promotion and other conditions of employment without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, marital or veteran status, sexual orientation, political affiliation, or disability.

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Berks1st - Keeping You Connected Fall 2023

R i n cón e n E sp a ño l

QUÉ ESPERAR EL DÍA DE LAS ELECCIONES Por Stephanie Weaver, Subdirectora, Oficina de Servicios Electorales

E

n unas pocas semanas, los votantes de todo el condado de Berks se dirigirán a las urnas para las Elecciones Municipales de 2023. A menudo conocida como una “elección fuera de año”, la Elección Municipal permite a los residentes votar por sus líderes locales en el gobierno del condado, en su distrito escolar y en su municipio.

La boleta de la Elección Municipal contiene las mismas carreras que los votantes vieron durante la Elección Primaria. Los candidatos incluyen a los ganadores demócratas y republicanos de las elecciones primarias y cualquier candidato de terceros partidos políticos y organismos políticos menores. El partido de un candidato aparece debajo de su nombre en la boleta.

Carreras y Retención

Hay muchas oficinas locales que se determinarán en noviembre, y la boleta de cada municipio serán un poco diferente. Los tipos de carreras que los votantes pueden esperar ver en sus boletas incluyen: • Jueces Estatales y del condado • Comisionados del Condado • Oficiales de fila • Jueces Magisteriales de Distrito • Alcalde de la Ciudad de Reading, Auditor y Concejo Directores de Escuela • Miembros del Concejo Municipal y Comisionados y Supervisores del Municipio • Alcaldes de Distrito y Recaudadores de Impuestos Municipales y Auditores

La boleta de la Elección Municipal también presenta cuatro preguntas de retención de jueces: dos para el Tribunal Superior de Pensilvania y dos para el Tribunal de Causas Comunes en el Condado de Berks. Los jueces son elegidos inicialmente para cumplir mandatos de 10 años. Cuando ese término termina, el

juez debe tratar de retener el puesto a través de una pregunta de retención.

A los votantes se les da la opción de retener al juez por otros 10 años votando “Sí” o “No”.

Los siguientes magistrados figurarán en la lista para su retención en la boleta electoral: • Jack Panella (Tribunal Superior) • Victor P. Stabile (Tribunal Superior) • Theresa Johnson (Tribunal de Causas Comunes) • Madelyn S. Fudeman (Tribunal de Causas Comunes)

Pregunta Sobre el Referéndum de la Ciudad

A los votantes de la Ciudad de Reading también se les pedirá que voten sobre una pregunta de referéndum relacionada con la Carta de Autonomía de la ciudad. La pregunta solo aparecerá en las boletas para los precintos de la ciudad.

Los votantes pueden elegir “Sí” o “No” en respuesta a la siguiente pregunta: “¿Se debe enmendar la Sección 606 (a) de la Carta de Autonomía de Reading para eliminar el requisito de que el Director de Obras Públicas sea un ingeniero profesional registrado en Pensilvania y, en cambio, crear un requisito de que la Ciudad designe a cualquier persona que esté registrada como ingeniero profesional en el Estado de Pensilvania para servir como Ingeniero de la Ciudad?”

Una explicación simple de la pregunta y boletas de muestra para cada precinto estarán disponibles en nuestro sitio web: www.countyofberks.com/elections.

Fechas importantes para las elecciones municipales de 2023: Último día para registrarse para votar: 23 de octubre

Regístrese para votar en www.vote.pa.gov/register Último día para solicitar una boleta por correo o en ausencia: 31 de octubre

Solicite una boleta por correo o en ausencia en www.vote.pa.gov/apply-mail-in.

Todas las boletas votadas por correo y en ausencia deben ser recibidas por la Oficina de Servicios Electorales del Condado de Berks antes de las 8 p.m. el Día de las Elecciones para ser contadas.

Día de las elecciones: 7 de noviembre

Las urnas abren de 7 a.m. a 8 p.m. Encuentre su lugar de votación en www.vote.pa.gov/polls www.countyofberks.com

35

R i n cón e n E s p a ño l

s a ñ e d i v a n s Luce En Gring’s Mill

1-30 de diciembre de 2023

C

on solo pulsar un botón, una tradición del condado de Berks cobrará vida el 1 de diciembre, trayendo alegría navideña a todos los condados de Berks por su 35º año.

Holiday Lights (Luces Navideñas) en Gring’s Mill comenzó en 1988 como resultado del interés de la comunidad en ver más programas de invierno en las ofertas del Departamento de Parques y Recreación (Parques). La Directora de Parques y Recreación, Cathy Wegener, miembro del personal de Parques y Recreación durante 41 años, estuvo allí para el primer programa Holiday Lights. El tema fue “Una Navidad Familiar Tradicional”.

Parks & Recreation usó rosquillas, cintas, pinos y palomitas de maíz como decoraciones en los árboles dentro del granero Gring’s Mill. Las empresas locales apoyaron el evento con donaciones para comprar luces, patrocinar el entretenimiento y proporcionar golosinas para ser entregadas por Santa.

Muchas cosas han cambiado en el programa Holiday Lights en los últimos 35 años, pero algunas cosas se han mantenido igual.

Por ejemplo, todo el evento es una colaboración de todos en el departamento de Parques y Recreación del Condado de Berks, desde el mantenimiento, los guardaparques del condado de Berks, el personal de los programas hasta la administración, todos hacen algo. Es el programa más grande del año de los parques y el de más larga duración.

El Supervisor de Mantenimiento de Parques Brian Evans y su equipo son responsables de colocar y mantener las luces mientras también mantienen los Parques del Condado de Berks en funcionamiento. El equipo de 14 personas comienza a trabajar para el espectáculo de luces a fines de septiembre.

“Se nota que se entregan a eso”, dijo Evans. “Tocan música navideña mientras colocan luces en camisetas, envolviendo el árbol en septiembre, porque se toma mucho tiempo”.

36

Berks1st - Keeping You Connected Fall 2023

A lo largo de los años, la exhibición de luces se ha renovado para que todas las luces sean de LED, lo que creó espacio para hacer más presentaciones. Este año habrá tres nuevas exhibiciones para que los visitantes disfruten.

Aunque todo el trabajo adicional hace que los horarios del personal sean agitados, Holiday Lights tiene el beneficio de poder ver a las personas disfrutar de su trabajo, dijo Evans.

“El aprecio de la gente que dice gracias; escucharlos hablar sobre la exhibición... ahí es donde obtengo satisfacción de ello”, dijo Evans. “La gente habla de cómo solían venir aquí cuando eran niños, vienen aquí todos los años para tomar su foto familiar. Es por eso que me gusta caminar cuando comienza el evento”.

Lisa Gauker, Supervisora de Recreación y Eventos Especiales, planifica y ejecuta el entretenimiento para Holiday Lights y creó Christmas Tree Lane (Vía de Árbol Navideño). Christmas Tree Lane fue nuevo el año pasado y cuenta con árboles decorados de organizaciones locales que forman un camino a través del granero hacia un visitante favorito: ¡el propio San Nicolás!

“Esta es una forma única de hacer que las personas salgan durante la temporada navideña para disfrutar de nuestros espacios verdes cuando de otra manera no podrían utilizar los parques del condado”, dice Lisa Gauker, “Nos gusta mantener nuestros parques activos y variar la experiencia de las personas de nuestros parques durante todo el año. Nunca hay un mal momento para salir”.

Ella reflexionó que COVID cambió Holiday Lights al traer más del evento afuera, brindando una experiencia diferente a la de años anteriores. Ahora los visitantes pueden pasar más tiempo deambulando por las exhibiciones mientras escuchan

música sonando a través del parque de Gring’s Mill desde el pabellón, donde ahora se encuentra el entretenimiento.

Dan Roe, Supervisor de Recursos Históricos, estuvo de acuerdo: “Creo que es más único en el entorno que en el que se coloca: caminar en un parque público, después de horas, por la noche.

Creo que eso lo convierte en una experiencia interesante”.

“Creo que es una experiencia más relajada que en algunos de los otros lugares, lo cual es agradable”, continuó, “Puedes llegar e ir a tu propio ritmo, con música al aire libre puedes entrar en el pabellón, pero luego también puedes recorrer los jardines, comer algo, creo que es una experiencia más tranquila que en algún otro lugar al que podrías ir a ver luces”.

Otro cambio reciente es que hay comida ahora que está disponible en camiones de comida todas las noches, generalmente al menos un camión de comida y un camión de bebidas, con los favoritos locales de una variedad de cocinas. Roe organiza las opciones de comida.

“Veremos varios miles de visitantes en el transcurso del mes y es una gran oportunidad para explorar uno de nuestros parques y tener una experiencia única. Creo que cumple con nuestra misión de hacer que los parques sean lo más abiertos y accesibles posible para nuestra comunidad”, continuó.

Wegener agregó: “Es uno de nuestros eventos que se necesita de todos para lograrlo. Todo el mundo puede ver los resultados y ver que las familias y las personas la están pasando bien y disfrutando del parque. La luz en los ojos de los niños cuando ven a Santa, el modelo de ferrocarril, o al ver las luces encenderse... Ansió salir en una noche fría y clara y ver las luces. Qué hermoso es escuchar la música, incluso cuando está ocupado, todavía es pacífico, puedes escuchar el agua y ver las estrellas”.

“Todos nuestros programas y eventos son un servicio a la comunidad, por lo que apreciamos las contribuciones y donaciones de nuestros patrocinadores... eso nos permite compartir la magia navideña con todos en el condado de Berks y más allá”, dijo Wegener.

Visítanos para ver sus favoritos eventos tradicionales, así como las nuevas sorpresas de este diciembre.

Holiday Lights en Gring’s Mill funciona de viernes a domingo, del 1 al 17 de diciembre, y del lunes 18 de diciembre al sábado 23 de diciembre y continuará después de Navidad del 28 al 30 de diciembre. El estacionamiento y la entrada son gratuitos.

Puede encontrar información actualizada en nuestra página de Facebook, @berkscountyparks.

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