Employee Spotlight

The North Adams School Board recognized Adams Behavioral Health Director Baldemar Silva as a Bellmont Alumni who has made a significant impact on the surrounding community by presenting him with a Dreamcatcher Award. Superintendent Kim Hiatt spoke highly of Silva’s achievements. A 2004 graduate of Bellmont, Silva received his associate’s degree in human services in 2007, a bachelor’s degree in human services and psychology in 2009, and a master of science degree in social work with a concentration in mental health/addictions in 2014.

His jobs in the mental health industry have ranged from working in juvenile correctional facilities, residential homes for psychiatric patients, and providing wrap around and individual counseling and support services to individuals and families. Since 2005, Silva has been at Adams Health Network, becoming the director of its Behavioral Health Services in 2017. “I am proud to present the Dreamcatcher Award to Baldemar Silva. He has continued his education by becoming certified to provide smoking cessation, substance abuse, Prime for Life, and crisis prevention counseling,” lauded Hiatt.

The superintendent continued to point out that in his position, Silva has “always been interested in expanding the services available to the community in meaningful ways. This has included partnering with North Adams Schools to provide early or timely intervention for our children who are struggling with mental health or regulation. His responsibilities and advocacy are far-reaching, and we wish to say thank you for staying in our community, staying in-tune with the needs in our community, and looking for ways to help provide individuals and families with hope and light during times that can feel hopeless and dark. Helping children be diagnosed and receive quality counseling and treatment early in their lives is so important in our vision of seeing all our students be contributing citizens, good neighbors, and simply healthy/happy individuals.”