Students Present Posters at Regional Professional Conference

Seven Pennsylvania College of Technology students recently presented research during a student poster session at the Mid-Atlantic Consortium for Human Services annual conference.

The students, in their final semester toward earning bachelor's degrees in applied human services, made up the majority of the 12 student poster presenters at the conference, held April 1-3 at Corning Community College.

A poster titled "The Consequences of Economic Boom Periods," by Melissa S. Edmonds, of Williamsport, evaluated whether small towns are negatively affected by economic boom periods.

"The Impact of Addiction on Families" was the subject of a poster by Laura A. Frey, of Watsontown.

Sarah E. Hauck, of Danville, presented her research to determine knowledge of the services offered to parents of children with autism spectrum disorder and the correlation between public knowledge and funding sources. Her poster was titled "Services and Support for Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder."

"Curbing the Path to Placement," a poster by Erin M. LaCerra, of Linden, presented a research initiative dedicated to understanding the factors that may lead children to placements in residential treatment facilities.

Valerie A. LaCerra's "Community Based Providers: Integration for Individuals With a Mental Health Diagnosis," examines the impact of the Olmstead Decision on community-based mental health service providers. The 1999 Supreme Court decision upheld a stipulation in the federal Americans with Disabilities Act that public agencies must provide services "in the most integrated setting appropriate to the needs of qualified individuals with disabilities." Valerie LaCerra resides in Linden.

"The Effect of Low Income on Head Start Families' Nutrition Habits" was the title of a poster presented by Chastity R. Stahl, of Milton, who aimed to make families aware of how low income affects their nutrition and buying habits.

"Education and Information About Youth Sexual Activity and Prevention Skills" was presented by Jessica L. Stahl, of Mifflinburg, with the purpose of teaching refusal, decision-making and communication skills.

The Mid-Atlantic Consortium for Human Services is a regional affiliate of the National Organization for Human Services. Both organizations were founded in an effort to improve methods of human service delivery. The consortium consists of colleges and universities in Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. One of the services it provides is an annual conference for students, faculty, administrators and practitioners in the human services field.

To learn more about human services degrees and other academic programs offered by the School of Integrated Studies at Penn College, call 570-327-4521 or visit on the Web .

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