North Star Behavioral Health Services, opened in 2005 by Dawn Vonada and Jay McLeod, has had the privilege of working with many children, adolescents and their families with mental health and behavioral needs over the years in Venango, Clarion, and Forest Counties. As most businesses, they have faced some challenges, growth periods, and changes over their 17 years of service.

The most recent change was getting the agency licensed in 2020 to remain in business and comply with the new regulations the State of Pennsylvania implemented across the state. North Star successfully became licensed in February of 2020 and has been providing Intensive Behavioral Health Services to clients and families since this time.

North Star was also awarded the Provider of the Quarter by the managed care company, Beacon Health Options for their exemplary work with families in Venango County. North Star owner Dawn Vonada said, “This is an honor that the team has worked hard to achieve during unprecedented challenges, and I just want all my staff to know that each one of them is greatly appreciated and it is an honor to work with such hard working, dedicated individuals. We look forward to continuing to provide excellent service to the families in Venango County that chose North Star Behavioral Health as their provider for IBHS.”

For more information, visit their website at northstarbhs.com or find them on Facebook at North Star Behavioral Health Services, LLC.

This article was published in the Venango Chamber’s April 2022 VenangoWorks! Newsletter.