HISTORY

Incorporated in 1994 BFAIR opened the doors on its first residential home for people with developmental disabilities located in Clarksburg.  Two years later in 1996 it announced the opening of the BFAIR Day Habilitation Center, and within one year the program was granted its first National Accreditation.  In 1999 the first award in honor of the late George A. Crosby who dedicated his life to Community Service and Advocacy for people with developmental disabilities was presented to staff, and in 2000 BFAIR was awarded its first vocational contract with the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission. 

From then on, the organization and services for people expanded exponentially.  In 2001 BFAIR was equipped with a full human resource department, main office space in North Adams, a satellite office for individual and family supports, and its 2nd National Accreditation for Day Habilitation, as well as for Arcadia Employment Services and Individual & Family Supports.  In 2002 the agency advanced quality assurance initiatives and purchased residential homes in Pittsfield and North Adams.   In the year 2003 BFAIR was granted member agency status with Northern Berkshire United Way, held its first public Annual Meeting, and was granted a two year license—the highest level awarded—from the Executive Office of Health and Human services to provide Residential Services, Work/Community Supports and Placement Services. 

The year of 2005 ushered in more achievements.  BFAIR earned its third National Accreditation Award for Community Services, relocated the Day Habilitation Center to a new facility at 771 South Church Street, and relocated its Individual and Family Support Services satellite office to a new fully accessible location on 53 Eagle Street in Pittsfield.  It added eighteen new community-based jobs for people with disabilities with local businesses such as Jiminy Peak, Breda’s Restaurant, Big Y, the Brien Center, and the Pittsfield YMCA. It introduced a 403B pension plan and designed a brand new website facilitating on line applications.

Over time the agency also created unique new programs.  First, with the assistance of a grant from the Northern Berkshire United Way, BFAIR launched a Children’s Clinical service and working closely with the North Adams Special Education Department developed a pilot program for children with Autism and other developmental disabilities enabling teacher and student to concentrate on specific areas of need such as language, communication and academic readiness skills. In 2007, the Brain Injury & Specialized Statewide Community Services (BI&SSCS) program (a Division of Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission) in Boston issued a contract to BFAIR to launch a social/recreational program for people who experienced a brain injury. In 2009, BFAIR’s Arcadia Employment Services began managing the North Adams Container Redemption Center and was recently awarded an expanded food service contract with Adult Day Health serving North Adams and Pittsfield.

urrently serving over 250 children, adolescents and adults with disabilities and autism and providing over 145 jobs in North and Central Berkshire County, BFAIR looks forward to continued expansion of services with plans to expand our Day Habilitation Center.  With respect for the past, passion for the present, and commitment to the promise of the future, BFAIR is well situated as it embarks on a new three year strategic plan.