The Prevention Platform

Welcome back to The Prevention Platform! This November, and in honor of Lung Cancer Awareness Month, we sat down with Jennifer Folkenroth, BA, CTTS, NCTTP, NCNTT, CPAHA-TT who is the Senior Director of Nationwide Tobacco Programs for the American Lung Association to talk about the risks of youth vaping and smoking, as well as strategies parents and caregivers can use to help connect with young people in their lives about this important topic.

⁠Click here⁠ to learn more about ways you can talk to teens and young people in your life about vaping and smoking.

About Valley Youth House:

Valley Youth House does more than just provide homes for youth in Pennsylvania who are experiencing abuse and homelessness. We partner with thousands of individuals each year to build a solid foundation for young people and their families. With dedicated street outreach, housing, counseling, skills training, health, prevention, and intervention services, we empower resilient young people in establishing promising futures.

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Welcome back to The Prevention Platform! This October, and in honor of Red Ribbon Week, which promotes a drug free lifestyle in young people, we are highlighting the CDC's Free Mind Campaign which was launched on August 5th of 2025.

Click here to learn more about the campaign, and discover ways you can support the teens and young adults in your life.

About Valley Youth House:

Valley Youth House does more than just provide homes for youth in Pennsylvania who are experiencing abuse and homelessness. We partner with thousands of individuals each year to build a solid foundation for young people and their families. With dedicated street outreach, housing, counseling, skills training, health, prevention, and intervention services, we empower resilient young people in establishing promising futures.

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Welcome back to The Prevention Platform! As the school year kicks off, September is the perfect time to talk about the importance of attendance. In today's episode, we are helping parents and caregivers spot early signs of truancy to build strong habits that will keep kids in school and on track from day one.

In this episode, we are joined by Kyle Borowski, who is the Associate Director of Clinical Services, Behavioral Health and Child Welfare here at Valley Youth House. For the past four years, Kyle has supervised VYH's Truancy Intervention Program which works with families in the Lehigh Valley to address attendance related barriers.

About Valley Youth House:

Valley Youth House does more than just provide homes for youth in Pennsylvania who are experiencing abuse and homelessness. We partner with thousands of individuals each year to build a solid foundation for young people and their families. With dedicated street outreach, housing, counseling, skills training, health, prevention, and intervention services, we empower resilient young people in establishing promising futures.

The Youth Education Program is funded in part by the Lehigh County Department of Drug and Alcohol. Their commitment to prevention efforts across Lehigh County allows us to produce this podcast.

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We're only a few days away from the official start of summer, so in this month's episode, we are sitting down with Mike Brady, Director of Valley Youth House's Camp Fowler, to talk about how to make the most of this time of year with your students, and prevent what is known as "The Summer Slide."

Join Ashley and Mike to discuss The Summer Slide, and explore both fun and educational activities that parents and caregivers can organize for the young people in their lives to keep them engaged and learning - all year long!

Click Here to learn more about Camp Fowler!

About Valley Youth House:

Valley Youth House does more than just provide homes for youth in Pennsylvania who are experiencing abuse and homelessness. We partner with thousands of individuals each year to build a solid foundation for young people and their families. With dedicated street outreach, housing, counseling, skills training, health, prevention, and intervention services, we empower resilient young people in establishing promising futures.

The Youth Education Program is funded in part by the Lehigh County Department of Drug and Alcohol. Their commitment to prevention efforts across Lehigh County allows us to produce this podcast.

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According to the National Survey of Children’s Health, in 2023, more than 5.3 million adolescents ages 12-17 years had a current diagnosed mental or behavioral condition, with anxiety and depression being the most common. Young people with a current diagnosis were found to be 3 times more likely to be disengaged from school, and 5 times more likely to miss 11 or more days of school for health reasons. What’s even more shocking, is that these youth are also 10 times as likely to experience difficulty making or keeping friends. 

So in honor of Mental Health awareness month, we are sitting down with Thespina Godshalk, who is an Administrator for School Based Behavioral Health at Lehigh Valley Health Network, to learn more about the importance of mental health and the resources parents and caregivers can utilize and connect to the young people they care about.

About Valley Youth House:

Valley Youth House does more than just provide homes for youth in Pennsylvania who are experiencing abuse and homelessness. We partner with thousands of individuals each year to build a solid foundation for young people and their families. With dedicated street outreach, housing, counseling, skills training, health, prevention, and intervention services, we empower resilient young people in establishing promising futures.

The Youth Education Program is funded in part by the Lehigh County Department of Drug and Alcohol. Their commitment to prevention efforts across Lehigh County allows us to produce this podcast.

Follow Us on Social Media!

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LinkedIn

In this episode of The Prevention Platform, host Ashley Dallas sits down with Vanessa Rivera, Business Development Vice President at Univest Bank, to discuss the power of financial literacy and why it’s essential for young people and their families. With over 20 years of banking experience and leadership roles in the East Penn Chamber and Bank On Coalition, Vanessa brings expert insights on how early financial education can set the stage for long-term stability and success.

From budgeting basics to building credit, we explore practical tips for caregivers and youth, common financial pitfalls to avoid, and how financial empowerment is deeply tied to prevention and well-being. Tune in for a thoughtful conversation that will leave you feeling inspired—and financially smarter.

About Valley Youth House:

Valley Youth House (⁠⁠valleyyouthhouse.org⁠⁠) does more than just provide homes for Pennsylvania’s vulnerable, abused, and homeless youth. We partner with thousands of individuals each year to build a solid foundation for young people and their families. With dedicated street outreach, housing, counseling, skills training, health, prevention, and intervention services, we empower resilient young people in establishing promising futures.

The Youth Education Program is funded in part by the Lehigh County Department of Drug and Alcohol. Their commitment to prevention efforts across Lehigh County allows us to produce this podcast.

Follow Us on Social Media!

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In 2018, the Supreme Court struck down a federal ban on sports gambling, opening the door for states to begin legalizing it. Since then, 38 states and the District of Columbia have embraced sports betting in some form, making single game wagers accessible at retail locations and online. We've all seen the upbeat star studded commercials for sports betting and casino apps. Funny, fast paced and impossible to ignore. But behind the bright lights and big names lies a growing concern, one that more parents and caregivers are starting to recognize. According to the American Psychiatric Association, 10 to 15% of young people surveyed already struggle with significant gambling problems, and that number is only rising. So today we're sitting down with Josh Urkel, executive director of the Council on Compulsive Gambling of Pennsylvania during Problem Gambling Awareness Month. And together we'll explore the impact of youth gambling warning signs to watch for and practical ways to help prevent gambling related harm.

Pennsylvania's Gambling Helpline is free, confidential, and available 24/7/365. Help is available by phone call, text message, or online chat. Call 1-800-GAMBLER Call the 24-hour helpline at 1-800-426-2537.

About Valley Youth House:

Valley Youth House (⁠⁠valleyyouthhouse.org⁠⁠) does more than just provide homes for Pennsylvania’s vulnerable, abused, and homeless youth. We partner with thousands of individuals each year to build a solid foundation for young people and their families. With dedicated street outreach, housing, counseling, skills training, health, prevention, and intervention services, we empower resilient young people in establishing promising futures.

The Youth Education Program is funded in part by the Lehigh County Department of Drug and Alcohol. Their commitment to prevention efforts across Lehigh County allows us to produce this podcast.

Follow Us on Social Media!

⁠Facebook⁠

⁠Instagram⁠

⁠LinkedIn⁠

Welcome back to another episode of The Prevention Platform! In this month's episode, Ashley sits down with Tina George from Carin Treatment Centers to explore the critical intersection of student athletes, substance use and overall wellness. With the pressures of performance, stress, and the desire for recovery, many young athletes face unique challenges in maintaining their health and well-being. Join us as we discuss prevention strategies, the importance of mental and physical wellness, and how to support student athletes in making healthy choices on and off the field.

About Valley Youth House:

Valley Youth House (⁠⁠valleyyouthhouse.org⁠⁠) does more than just provide homes for Pennsylvania’s vulnerable, abused, and homeless youth. We partner with thousands of individuals each year to build a solid foundation for young people and their families. With dedicated street outreach, housing, counseling, skills training, health, prevention, and intervention services, we empower resilient young people in establishing promising futures.

The Youth Education Program is funded in part by the Lehigh County Department of Drug and Alcohol. Their commitment to prevention efforts across Lehigh County allows us to produce this podcast.

Follow Us on Social Media!

⁠Facebook⁠

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In this episode of the Prevention Platform, Ashley sits down with Megan Sell and Alycha Boehm, two dedicated professionals from Valley Youth House, to discuss the critical issue of human trafficking. Megan and Alycha share their insights on how trafficking impacts vulnerable youth, signs to look out for, and how the community can work together to prevent and respond to these atrocities. Tune in to learn about the proactive steps Valley Youth House is taking to raise awareness, provide support, and create safer environments for those at risk.

About Valley Youth House:

Valley Youth House (⁠⁠valleyyouthhouse.org⁠⁠) does more than just provide homes for Pennsylvania’s vulnerable, abused, and homeless youth. We partner with thousands of individuals each year to build a solid foundation for young people and their families. With dedicated street outreach, housing, counseling, skills training, health, prevention, and intervention services, we empower resilient young people in establishing promising futures.

The Youth Education Program is funded in part by the Lehigh County Department of Drug and Alcohol. Their commitment to prevention efforts across Lehigh County allows us to produce this podcast.

Follow Us on Social Media!

⁠Facebook⁠

⁠Instagram⁠

⁠LinkedIn⁠

Welcome to another episode of The Prevention Platform! Today, Ashley is joined by Joa, an Early Intervention Specialist at Silk Lehigh Valley—Valley Youth House's safe haven for LGBTQ+ youth. Together, they explore the critical role of prevention and education in raising awareness about HIV and AIDS.

About Valley Youth House:

Valley Youth House (⁠⁠valleyyouthhouse.org⁠⁠) does more than just provide homes for Pennsylvania’s vulnerable, abused, and homeless youth. We partner with thousands of individuals each year to build a solid foundation for young people and their families. With dedicated street outreach, housing, counseling, skills training, health, prevention, and intervention services, we empower resilient young people in establishing promising futures.

The Youth Education Program is funded in part by the Lehigh County Department of Drug and Alcohol. Their commitment to prevention efforts across Lehigh County allows us to produce this podcast.

Follow Us on Social Media!

⁠Facebook⁠

⁠Instagram⁠

⁠LinkedIn⁠