The Prevention Platform – Preventing Youth Smoking and Vaping
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…
The Prevention Platform – CDC’s Free Mind Campaign
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…
The Prevention Platform – The Importance of Attendance
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…
The Prevention Platform – The Summer Slide
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…
The Prevention Platform – Mental Health Awareness Month
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…
The Prevention Platform – Financial Literacy Awareness Month
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…
The Prevention Platform – Gambling Awareness Month
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…
The Prevention Platform – Substance Abuse in Student Athletes
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…
The Prevention Platform – Human Trafficking Awareness
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…
The Prevention Platform – HIV Awareness
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…