In March 2025, North Star Behavioral Health will celebrate 20 years in business. Founded in the fall of 2004 by Dawn Vonada, MA, LPC, and Jay McLeod, MS, LBS, the organization began as a joint venture with the support of the Business Innovation Alliance grant for small businesses through the Venango Chamber. This grant provided essential resources such as physical space, legal representation, accounting services, and insurance—critical components that helped establish the foundation of the business.
North Star originally applied through the State of Pennsylvania to provide Behavioral Health Rehabilitation Services (BHRS), also known as wraparound services, to children, adolescents, and their families in Venango County. The organization was awarded a contract with the state and welcomed its first client in March 2005. These services aim to deliver mental health support across home, school, and community settings for children and adolescents who meet medical necessity criteria.
As the business evolved, North Star navigated the challenges of managed care oversight, adapting to changing regulations while continuing to provide best-practice services.
In January 2019, North Star faced a significant loss when co-founder Jay McLeod passed away unexpectedly. At the same time, Pennsylvania restructured its BHRS program, transitioning to Intensive Behavioral Health Services (IBHS). North Star adapted to this change, securing its own IBHS license in February 2020 to continue providing high-quality care to children, youth, and young adults in Venango, Clarion, Crawford, and Forest counties. The organization is now credentialed and contracted with two managed care companies, Carelon and Community Care Behavioral Health, which oversee service approvals.
Over the past two decades, North Star Behavioral Health has employed approximately 300 individuals with a range of educational credentials, including psychologists, licensed professional counselors, licensed behavioral specialists, licensed social workers, and professionals with bachelor’s, associate, and high school-level education.
As a long-time member of both the Venango Area Chamber of Commerce and the Franklin Chamber of Commerce, North Star remains actively engaged in the local business community. North Star supports various initiatives, such as sponsoring students through the Foundation for Free Enterprise Education, participating in the Salvation Army fund drive, and collaborating with county programs like the Mental Health Symposium and Suicide Prevention Initiative.
North Star Behavioral Health remains dedicated to providing the highest quality care to the children, adolescents, and families it serves. The organization upholds a high standard of care and strives to meet the therapeutic needs of every individual.
As it looks ahead to the future, North Star expresses deep gratitude to the families it has had the privilege to serve, as well as to the dedicated staff members who have contributed to its success over the past 20 years.
Congratulation to Dawn and the North Star Behavioral Health Services team on 20 years!
NOW HIRING
North Star is currently looking to fill open Master level Behavioral Consultant / Mobile Therapist positions. Must have a Master’s degree is Psychology, Education, or Social Work. Competitive wages, sign-on bonus, Medical/Dental/Eye insurance, PTO, 401k with Match.
This article was published in the Venango Chamber’s March 2025 VenangoWorks! Newsletter.