Pat Hovey is the Executive Director of Thrive Alliance Group. She joined Thrive five years ago after serving 27 years in public education. She has received various grants, awards and recognition for her service. Pat served as president of New Jersey Association of Pupil Services Administrators and continues as a board member. As both a Director of Special Services, Principal and a Special education teacher, Pat has seen the significant impact of not addressing the mental health of our youth. During her career she created numerous specialized programs to assist a variety of academic, social, emotional and physical needs of students. Not only have they benefited students, but it also benefited entire school communities. These programs demonstrated the ability to keep students in their home districts, the efficient use of district funds and the expansion of the community’s acceptance of all children.

If we always put students first, most everything else will fall into place. Decision making based on the needs of students, in particular, their mental health needs, we will prepare students for their experiences after graduation. As important as any subject area is the ability to understand one’s individual needs and how to find the right support.