Prevention and Intervention Services
Youth Education Program for the Prevention of Destructive Decisions
Coordinator:Jennifer Poteet
Address: 531 Main Street Bethlehem, PA 18018
Contact Information: 610-954-9561 ext. 39 or
Referral Sources: Lehigh and Northampton County schools, community organizations, District Judges, Juvenile Probation
Eligibility: Youth ages 3-21, Parents
Services: Classroom ATOD prevention, small group prevention, Strengthening Families Program for Parents and Youth Ages 10-14, Public Information Center on Drug Prevention, Choices, Decisions, Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) Chapter's Advisory Board
Description: Begun in 1989, the Youth Education Program for the Prevention of Destructive Decisions provides school and community based prevention and education services to Lehigh Valley youth. Services are provided at the elementary, middle and high schools during the school year, as well as community sites throughout the year. The program operates with the belief that substance abuse, violence and other self-destructive behaviors can be prevented through alcohol, tobacco and other drug (ATOD) education coupled with life skills training. This program also includes the Public Information Center on Drug Prevention, a Pennsylvania state RADAR site, where up-to-date information, at no cost, is available on ATOD topics (DVD's, videos, CD'S and printed materials). Other service offerings include our SADD Advisory Board, where we work with middle and high school SADD students on monthly bases who are interested in leadership roles; and also our diversion education ARD classes, Choices and Decisions, for underage drinking and anger management for first time offenders.
Family Intervention Program
| Program Supervisor: | May Ambrogi, MSW, LSW |
| Referrals and Questions: | 610-954-9561 or mlabban@valleyyouthhouse.org |
| Address: | Valley Youth House, 531 Main Street Bethlehem, Pa. 18018 |
| Referral Sources: | Self-referrals, county child welfare agencies, schools, county juvenile probation departments, hospitals and other social service agencies |
| Eligibility: | Substance use issue in the family, child is birth to 18 years of age |
| Length of service: | Six to nine months |
Program Description: |
The Family Intervention Program (FIP) is a multiple service program directed at families with a child who is at risk of maltreatment and a family member is using alcohol or drugs. The program seeks to preserve the family unit and to avoid the damage caused by the number of stressors and risks presenting when someone in the family is abusing substances. Services are provided in homes; however, office based, school based and other community settings are also utilized. |
Project Child
Coordinator: Rochelle Freedman
Referrals and Questions: (610) 954-9561 or projectchildlv@aol.com
Address: 531 Main Street, Bethlehem, PA 18018
Referral Sources: Parent Self Referrals, County Children and Youth Agencies, Judges and Court Masters, Social Service Agencies, Teachers
Eligibility: N/A
Exclusions: N/A
Length of Service: N/A
Program Description:
Project Child is a broad based community coalition whose mission is the prevention of child abuse. This mission is accomplished through the promotion of positive parenting. The main components of service include ongoing parenting classes and support groups, a weekly parenting informational article in The Morning Call as well as several professional educational venues. Project Child’s newest service component is Learning to Care, a highly interactive program to teach nurturing, empathy and child development to children within their school classrooms. Project Child is known as a reliable source of information and referral on the topics of child abuse prevention and they distribute a variety of publications including Child Abuse Primers, Tips at Report Card Time as well as a variety of handouts to support positive parenting.
Valley Youth House – Functional Family Therapy
| Program Supervisor: | May Ambrogi, MSW, LSW |
| Referrals and Questions: | 610-954-9561 or mlabban@valleyyouthhouse.org |
| Address: | Valley Youth House, 531 Main Street Bethlehem, Pa. 18018 |
| Referral Sources: | Self-referrals, county child welfare agencies, schools, county juvenile probation departments, hospitals and other social service agencies |
Eligibility: |
Adolescent is exhibiting or is at-risk for Conduct Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Disruptive Behavior Disorder, or is presenting with symptoms of depression; delinquency, violence or alcohol and other drug abuse disorders; adolescent is 10 to 18 years of age |
| Length of service: | Approximately twelve sessions over a three to four month period |
Program Description: |
Functional Family Therapy (FFT) is an outcome-driven, nationally and internationally utilized, family therapy approach to working with youth who have behavioral needs and display disruptive conduct. FFT is provided in the home, the community or the office. FFT utilizes specific techniques to engage and motivate youth and families over a series of three phases. To learn more about the FFT model, please go to www.fftinc.com. |
STUDENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
SUPERVISOR: Adrienne Schultz, M.Ed.
REFERRALS and QUESTIONS: 610-954-9561 or adriennek@valleyyouthhouse.org
ADDRESS: 531 Main Street Bethlehem, PA 18018
REFERRAL SOURCES: Schools primarily, though parents may call and request the service and students may self-refer themselves
ELIGIBILITY: Northampton County public school students ranging from kindergarten through 12th grade who could benefit from a preventative mental health service
LENGTH of SERVICE: Short-term – 6-9 counseling sessions
EXCLUSIONS: Lehigh County schools and/or students who are already involved with other more intensive services
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:
The Student Assistance Program is a school-based service which operates during the academic school year. The program places one masters-level mental health therapist within each school, one day a week, to provide time-limited mental health services to students who are experiencing behavioral, family or school difficulties that pose a barrier to success and learning in school. Students generally receive one hour of service per week, with the intensity of services varying based on each child’s need. Services are designed to be short-term and flexible. For students who require more extensive help, linkages with other Valley Youth House programs or other community resources occurs.