What Is The Berkshire Childhood Community Circle (BE3C)?
The Berkshire Early Childhood Community Circle (BE3C) is a community-driven coalition that prevents future substance misuse and addiction by elevating protective factors for children ages 5-11 in higher-risk situations due to environmental factors. The program was brought to life through collaborative efforts from Berkshire Regional Planning Commission (BRPC) and multiple valuable community partners.
The coalition’s primary programs incorporate Social Emotional Learning (SEL) techniques, STEAM education, and career modeling to help participants ages 5-11 imagine multiple futures for themselves while building supportive relationships among peers with similar backgrounds. By facilitating an evidence-informed brave space that empowers participants to build resilience, refusal skills, and positive self-identity, these programs aim to reduce risk factors and increase protective factors to influence not only the participants but also their peers beyond the programs.
