Denise Continenza, family and consumer sciences educator with Penn State Extension in Lehigh County, received the Continued Excellence Award at the National Extension Association for Family and Consumer Sciences (NEAFCS) 2016 annual session, held in September in Big Sky, Mont.

The award recognizes NEAFCS members who continue to be involved in professional improvement programs, the promotion of professional development of others and leadership.

Continenza was recognized for expanding programming to include the Communities That Care (CTC) model in the Whitehall-Coplay area.

She also delivers and administers a program that addresses child abuse prevention by building family resilience.

Continenza participated in a yearlong Administrative Leadership Fellows Program through Penn State Extension in 2014 and 2015.