 | |
| Founded | 1960[1] |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Provide care for those with disabilities |
| Location |
|
Area served | Pennsylvania |
| Owner | Independent (1960-2008)[3] NHS Human Services (2008-present)[3] |
Allegheny Valley School is a private non-profit organization based in the Pittsburgh region that provides services to individuals with disabilities.[3] The school operates more than 125 programs across Pennsylvania, with locations in Allegheny, Beaver, Bucks, Butler, Dauphin, Lebanon, Mercer, Montgomery, and Philadelphia Counties.[2] Of the 125 programs statewide, 67 are based in Western Pennsylvania, 17 in Central Pennsylvania and 44 in Eastern Pennsylvania.[2] The headquarters are in Coraopolis, Pennsylvania.[2]
It was established in 1960 to care for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities; when the Pittsburgh Home for Babies, an orphanage, closed, the Allegheny Valley School accepted the 10 children with intellectual disabilities who had been there.[3]
In 1983, Pittsburgh sportscaster Myron Cope founded the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix to raise funds for the Allegheny Valley School and The Autism Society of Pittsburgh.[4] Cope said "My son, who was born brain-damaged and can neither speak nor otherwise function normally, has lived at Allegheny Valley School since 1982. For my late wife Mildred and me, Allegheny Valley School was a Godsend. My son is happy and is cared for with expertise, understanding and love."[4] In 1996, Cope gave the rights to the Terrible Towel to the Allegheny Valley School, the proceeds from which continue to fund the school.[5][4]
In 2000, the Western Center, a state-run facility for disabled persons, closed and some residents were moved to the Allegheny Valley School.[6]
In 2008, Allegheny Valley School was acquired by NHS Human Services.[3]
As of 2013, it was serving more than 900 children, adults and senior citizens; residents have a variety of physical disabilities, medical complications, behavioral management needs.[3]