Pat Valentine, deputy director of Allegheny County’s Office of Behavioral Health, is the 2007 recipient of the PCPA President’s Award. The award is given annually to individuals who have made a significant contribution in promoting and encouraging the delivery of high quality mental health, substance use disorder, and/or mental retardation services to Pennsylvania’s citizens. Ms. Valentine accepted the award during PCPA’s 35th anniversary conference October 18.
PCPA President Steve Christian-Michaels commented, “Pat has embodied the characteristics of a highly effective leader by modeling integrity, driving large scale system change, and exhibiting a passion for recovery and resiliency. Her vision of a transformed system for children, families, and adults affected with mental illness, substance abuse, and addictions is truly inspiring.”
Valentine is a life-long resident of the Pittsburgh area and received her masters degree in rehabilitation counseling from the University of Pittsburgh. Prior to becoming deputy director for behavioral health services in March 1998, Ms. Valentine was employed by Family Services of Western Pennsylvania for 17 years, most recently serving as Mental Health/Mental Retardation Director. Deputy Director Valentine has created a sophisticated model of forensic services for criminal offenders with mental health and addiction disorders and a system of community-based children’s services that establishes a greater selection of services for parents.
Upon receiving the award, Valentine remarked, “As thankful as I am for this award, I share it with all my staff and the providers of Allegheny County. I encourage all providers to collaborate with county and state governments to improve system delivery for the individuals that we serve.”
PCPA is a statewide trade association that promotes a community-based, responsive, and viable system of agencies providing quality services for individuals receiving mental health, mental retardation, addictive disease, and other related human services. PCPA represents over 225 community-based agencies and related businesses that provide mental health, mental retardation, and substance abuse services. Members operate in all 67 Pennsylvania counties and serve more than one million Pennsylvanians per year.
