Services provided by Valley Youth House to Northampton Area School District are being lauded by school officials.

According to school and Valley Youth House officials, services valued at $76,832 were provided by Valley Youth House to NASD during the 2015-16 school year.

Anne Adams, M.Ed., L.P.C., senior vice president, Prevention & Intervention Service Groups, Valley Youth House, made a presentation about her organization’s services to the district at the July 11 NASD Board of Education meeting.

She was introduced by Dr. Kathleen E. Ott, NASD director of data, grants and special programs.

Joseph S. Kovalchik, NASD superintendent of schools, presented Adams a certificate of appreciation from the district.

“We’re honoring Valley Youth House and updating the board and community for what Valley Youth House has done for our district from a counseling standpoint,” Kovalchik said.

Ott said she and Adams have been working together on Valley Youth House program services for 18 years.

“This partnership has really been outstanding,” Ott said.

Valley Youth House provides a number of programs and services to NASD, including drug and alcohol counselors; bullying prevention; strengthening families; anger management coping skills; parenting skills; anti-gang counseling; Club Ophelia, for middle school girls who bully and are mentored by high school girls; one-to-one counseling; and counseling for emergencies upon request.

Valley Youth House receives funding for programs and services from Northampton County Department of Human Services, which includes mental health and drug and alcohol departments.

“And we deliver the services,” Adams said.

“We have community partners and funding to support our students,” Ott said.

“We’re on the same team,” Adams added. “I am impressed with you, Mr. Kovalchik, that you have the vision to reach out and partner.”

Kovalchik concluded, “If you just look at the dollar amount, it would be impossible to provide these services.”

According to its website, Valley Youth House began in 1973 as a single shelter providing counseling for vulnerable, abused and homeless young people in the Lehigh Valley.

Valley Youth House operates more than 100 residential sites in Pennsylvania.