About AVS

The mission of Allegheny Valley School is to provide quality programs and facilities to help the individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities entrusted to our care to live with purpose and dignity, and to provide opportunities and choices for our clients to grow and function at their full potential as independently as possible.

Allegheny Valley School (AVS) is a private, non-profit organization established in 1960 to care for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities.  Founded by Patricia Hillman Miller, with help from friends Bob Prince and Doug Hannah, AVS provided care for 10 children with intellectual disabilities who were left without a home when The Pittsburgh Home for Babies orphanage closed.

Since 1960, Allegheny Valley School has grown into a multi-faceted organization with programs and facilities serving more than 900 individuals. Most of the residents are diagnosed with severe or profound intellectual disabilities; most also have multiple physical disabilities, medical complications and some have behavior support needs.

Allegheny Valley School is known for its outstanding community residential environments and therapeutic programs for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.  We currently operate more than 125 programs and facilities in the following 9 Pennsylvania counties: Allegheny, Beaver, Bucks, Butler, Dauphin, Lebanon, Mercer, Montgomery and Philadelphia.  AVS employs more than 2,300 people.

On May 30, 2008, Allegheny Valley School was acquired by NHS Human Services.  Allegheny Valley School remains committed to providing quality programs and facilities to help those with intellectual and developmental disabilities to reach their fullest potential.

Check out the 'AVS History Timeline'