Berkshire Regional Planning Commission (BRPC) announces the appointment of Anna Youngmann as its new North County Community Coordinator, working with the county-wide Berkshire Overdose and Prevention Collaborative. Ms. Youngmann will spearhead the North County HEAL Coalition, a crucial, multi-disciplinary collaborative dedicated to addressing substance use disorder (SUD) in the region.

Under Ms. Youngmann’s leadership, the Coalition will continue to unite a broad array of partners, including social service organizations, public health agencies, and medical providers. A primary focus is on reducing the incidence of SUD and combating the pervasive stigma associated with it, while simultaneously promoting comprehensive education.

As Community Coordinator, Ms. Youngmann’s duties will include providing direct outreach services, implementing evidence-based programs, and developing strategic partnerships critical to the Coalition’s mission of fostering a healthier community.

Ms. Youngmann’s background includes significant work with highly vulnerable populations, specifically survivors of domestic abuse and human trafficking with co-occurring substance use issues. This experience has established her as an expert in understanding the critical intersection of trauma histories and substance use, a perspective invaluable to the HEAL Coalition’s holistic approach.