Lycoming News

Rep. Jamie Flick will host his third annual Speaker Series on April 25, at the Pennsylvania College of Technology. The event, centered on youth mental health and addiction, is free to the public.

The series will take place from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Penn’s Inn on the PCT campus. Experts Dr. Beth McMahon, Jeremy Steppe, Nicholas Slotterback, and Dr. Jennifer Thorp will provide data on prevention and education strategies. "Our team is excited to highlight youth reported risk behaviors and protective factors at the national, state, and local level to help families, schools, and communities in Data Driven Programming and Services. Our goal is to showcase how Pennsylvania strives to prevent youth risk behaviors and promote protective factors," McMahon explained. Students Francis Pagana and Colyn Jandrisavitz will share personal testimonies.

Dr. Christina Steinbacher-Reed and Nicole Klees will discuss BLaST IU 17's partial hospitalization program and its role in supporting youth mental health. Student Gracie Paulhamus will also present. Steinbacher-Reed stated, "Youth partial hospitalization programs (PHPs) are a vital bridge in the continuum of care for young people facing mental health challenges."

An update on the mental health co-responder initiative by the Williamsport Bureau of Police will also be presented.

Flick remarked, "I’m honored to have these individuals give professional and personal insight on the data and programs to help our youth." He emphasized the need for prevention efforts and identification of resources for struggling youths.

Speaker McMahon is an emerita professor at Lock Haven University with extensive research experience. Steppe is a health educator at Williamsport Area High School, and Slotterback, a health advisor at the Pennsylvania Department of Education, spreads awareness through the CDC's Youth Risk Behavior Survey. Dr. Thorp, from Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania, researches youth risk behaviors.

Steinbacher-Reed leads BLaST Intermediate Unit 17, and Klees directs mental and behavioral health there. Their contributions to education and mental health support are significant.

The Speaker Series will be followed by additional activities from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the college’s Field House. Updates are available on Flick's Facebook page or by calling his office.