Working side by side with the Hopkinton Youth Commission, Jean Vallera Vazza, M.Ed., is the new Coordinator of Youth Services for the Town of Hopkinton.

Appointed to the position in August 2010, Jean will engage in collaborative relationships with the schools, law enforcement, parents and youth serving organizations.

Jean brings more than twenty years experience in the mental health field as an experienced clinician providing individual, group and family counseling as well as crisis intervention, assessment and referrals to the town of Hopkinton.

Jean has extensive experience working in schools as well as community agencies, and her primary focus will be to keep youth from engaging in high-risk behaviors by effectively collaborating with all sectors of the community. She will also help families engage in services and facilitate their access into the behavioral health system.

Vazza currently resides in Holliston with her husband and 12-year old twins.

"I credit the town of Hopkinton for recognizing that there is a direct correlation between the health of the community and the services provided to youth and families," said Jean.

 "By addressing the environmental risk factors, I will strive to decrease adolescent risk behaviors," she continued.

A few of her many goals this year include; supporting all activities of the Hopkinton Youth Commission, a monthly health promotion campaign, and facilitating parent discussion groups (parent coffees), providing parents ways to approach their children to ward against high-risk behaviors.

An exciting, new, community wide health initiative, sponsored by the Hopkinton Youth Services Department will host monthly parent conversations, held at the Hopkinton high and middle schools.

"Hopkinton Youth Services is a resource for families dealing with adolescent needs including, mental health issues, stress, substance abuse and behavior problems," said Vazza.

 Monthly, important discussion topics will focus on significant issues and adolescent risk behaviors such as, depression and suicide, coping with stress, teen dating violence, the dangers of social networking, and many more.

Upcoming events will be listed at the middle and high schools, listserv, and posters throughout the town.

The first parent conversation, Hopkinton Celebrates Peace, will be held at the Hopkinton Public Library on September 26th, from 7:00-8:00 pm.

We applaud the Hopkinton Youth Services Commission for establishing such an important department, and welcome Jean Vallera Vazza, M.Ed.

For more information or questions, contact Jean Vallera Vazza at, jvazza@hopkinton.org or see, www.hopkinton.org/youth.