Paula McCommons, EdD

Dr. Paula McCommons received her B.A. in psychology from Seton Hill College in Greensburg, Pennsylvania.  She studied in London for six months and interned in a psychiatric day hospital there. While at Seton Hill she served as a Freshmen Studies Advisor, Resident Assistance and Dorm Coordinator.  She received her M.Ed. in Educational Counseling from the University of Pittsburgh where she later received her Ed.D. in Educational Administration.  Dr. McCommons is a nationally certified counselor with specialties in school and career counseling.  She is also a PA certified school counselor and post-secondary student personnel specialist.   

Dr. McCommons serves as a supervisor and behavioral health liaison for the Allegheny County Student Assistance Program (SAP) provided by Allegheny County and UPMC- Western Behavioral Health. Currently Dr. McCommons provides SAP services to K-12 students in two school districts covering elementary k-8 and high school buildings.  In her supervisory role she oversees six school districts – one urban and five suburban with k-12 enrollments ranging from 1,000 – over 5,000. She and her fellow liaisons are responsible for screening individual at-risk youth, offering on-going support for referred students, assisting families in accessing appropriate resources in and out of school, participating in SAP team meetings and providing consultations to faculty and parents.  As needed, they also provide postvention services.

As Director of STAR-Center Outreach activities, Dr. McCommons provides crisis intervention, postvention assistance and consultation to school districts and communities across the commonwealth of Pennsylvania following a tragic loss.  Upon request, she conducts specialized trainings and presentations related to the promotion of behavioral health, suicide prevention, intervention and postvention.  

During her tenure, Dr. McCommons served on the executive committee of the Pennsylvania Youth Suicide Prevention Initiative (PAYSPI) and assisted with the development of state-wide symposiums, conferences and legislative initiatives, including Act 71 requiring PA school districts/entities to develop comprehensive suicide prevention plans. She co-chaired the task force subcommittee for PAYSPI and facilitated regional workshops related to suicide prevention for schools and communities.  Since 2010, Dr. McCommons has assisted her STAR-Center colleagues in providing technical support for the SAMHSA sponsored Garrett Lee Smith Suicide Prevention Grants for Pennsylvania originally focusing on screening in primary care, comprehensive suicide prevention in schools, strengthening the continuity of care for youth identified at risk for suicide, and now empowering youth through partnerships with providers and those with lived experience.  Materials and resources generated through the efforts of these grants are archived on the across the life span PA state suicide prevention organization "Prevent Suicide PA." Visit www.preventsuicidepa.org to learn more.