Florence Crittenton

Our Staff

Our treatment team is made up of highly experienced masters level therapists and social workers whose specialties include assessments, bonding and attachment, family relationships, addictions, parenting, healthy relationships, milieu work, individual therapy, infant mental health and therapeutic recreation.

We also work in partnership with leading consultant specialists locally to assist with each girl’s individual treatment plan.

	Executive Director - Barbara Burton Barbara was appointed Executive Director in July 2006. She brings ten years experience of non-profit management skills and fundraising from her position as Development Director for the Home as well as an extensive financial background. During her time at Florence Crittenton, Barb has created a highly successful resource development office, enhanced the volunteer program, and been a key member of the administrative team. Barb's passion for the Home and her business acumen provides the strategic direction that is becoming increasingly more important in today's non-profit world. Barbara is a graduate of the University Of Montana School Of Business.		Board of Directors Jim Fitzgerald Executive Director Intermountain Kathy Sampson Managing Partner Employee Benefit Resources Kevin Kelley - Treasurer Accountant Anderson, Zurmuehlen & Co. Ron Waterman Attorney Gough, Shanahan, Johnson and Waterman Betty Hidalgo Retired Nurse Elaine Gingery Retired Elementary Teacher Donna Cain - President Senior Manager Deloitte Consulting LLP Jenny Schmitz Vice President Valley Bank Downtown Marcia Allen Realtor, Big Sky Brokers, LLC Sherri Ohs Owner Montana Records Management
	Breastfeeding Specialist - Jane Bucks Jane Bucks joined Florence Crittenton in January 2006. She has had a wealth of experience working with young mothers and babies throughout her career not to mention parenting her own six children and almost two dozen little ones that she and her family fostered while adoption proceedings were being finalized. Jane brings over twenty years experience with breastfeeding advocacy through her work with La Leche League (mother-to-mother breastfeeding support). Jane completed the CLC (Certified Lactation Counselor) training/certification in August 2006. What feeds Jane's soul? Family (including five wonderful grandchildren), needy dogs, politics, strong coffee, Irish music, fresh Montana air and laughter.
	Clinical Consultant - Cathryn English-Straub, LAC, LCSW Cathryn is one of very few treatment providers in the nation who attended specialized training sessions with the clinicians who developed the Circle of Security Project at the Marycliff Institute in Spokane , WA . She provides weekly clinical supervision and training for the B&A Specialist, Clinical Director and Case Managers; helps develop curriculum for clients and staff; and has produced training videos on the Circle of Security philosophy and implementation which is a mandatory part of new staff orientation at FCH.
	Marketing Director - Elizabeth Flynn Elizabeth joined Florence Crittenton in March 2006 as Marketing Director. Her responsibilities are to market FCH’s programs and manage PR activity. Prior to that she lived in London and was Marketing Director for PTC, a global technology solutions provider. She has over 12 years experience in marketing including strategic planning, launching new products and helping start-up organizations rapidly. Elizabeth holds a degree in Marketing from the University of Kingston in London.
	Program Coordinator/Case Manager - Shannon Martin Shannon Martin joined Florence Crittenton in July 2007 as a Program Coordinator/Case Manager. Prior to this Shannon was employed as a Youth Employment Specialist working with at-risk juveniles involved in the justice system for 2 years. For an additional 2 years she worked in a school based therapeutic program with emotionally disturbed youth. She has owned and operated a small daycare. Most recently she was a case manager at Elkhorn Treatment Center, a treatment facility for women with meth addiction. Shannon received a BA from MSU-N in 2000. Her degree is in Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in Community Service and minoring in Native American Studies.
	Cheri Long – Volunteer Coordinator Cheri joined the Florence Crittenton team in August 2007. She has over 20 years experience working with volunteers. Cheri was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Kenya, as well the Assistant Director of WorldTeach, Inc, based at Harvard University, where she created and facilitated training for young adults who volunteered to work overseas. Cheri served as the volunteer trainer for Amigos de las Americas, and was a mentor through the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program. She is now a volunteer fire-fighter and EMT. A graduate of the University of Iowa, she holds an MFA in ceramics, and in her spare time she is a studio potter. Most importantly, she is the proud parent of two young children.
	Bonding and Attachment Specialist, Maria Nyberg, MSW Maria, conducts group and individual bonding and attachment sessions, which includes video taping mother-child interactions and training staff. Maria received her BSW from U of MT and her MSW from Walla Walla College . She came to FC after running God's Love Family Transitional Center for 6 years. Before that she worked for 3.5 years in a child's psychiatric hospital as well as 8 years in acute hospital rehabilitation.
	Clinical Director - Pam Ponich-Hunthausen, MS, LCPC Pam oversees all programs at Florence Crittenton. Pam has a degree in Human Biology (emphasis in Neuropsychology) from Stanford University and a Masters degree in Counseling Education from San Diego State University . Pam has extensive management and clinical experience with at-risk youth and has worked with pregnant and parenting teen mothers at FC for the past 5 years. Pam's background also includes development of innovative programs to serve at-risk youth and families. She is proud and honored to see FC growing into a leading provider of bonding/attachment work and infant mental health assessment and treatment.
	Case Manager Mother Baby Program - Sarah Smith Sarah is our lead Case Manger for our Mother Baby Program. She has over 20 years experience in the adolescent mental health field including 11 years co-facilitation of adventure based therapy for a collaboration of Mental Health Organizations and the Project for Alternative Learning. She has a strong belief in a relationship based approach and enjoys working with adolescents and watching them blossom and realize their potential. Sarah is also a certified CPR/First Aid instructor and an active member of the Great Divide Ski Patrol. With her wealth of experience Sarah is a tremendous asset to our team.
	Development Director – Michele Herrington Michele joined the Florence Crittenton Home in December 2008. Her first fundraising experience was in Senegal with the U.S. Peace Corps in 1984-85, where she raised funds for village-based community development projects. She has worked and volunteered with large and small nonprofit organizations since then, mostly in Washington DC. She holds an MA degree in management from Gallaudet University and is a nationally certified massage therapist, practicing part-time. Michele fulfilled her dream to live in the Rocky Mountains and moved to Helena in 2004. When not visiting with Florence Crittenton donors, she can be found hiking in Montana’s beautiful mountains.
	Child Enrichment Center Director – Paula Hoffman Paula joined Florence Crittenton Home in May 2008. She has over 18 years of experience working as a Lead teacher in an infant toddler program. Paula believes emotional security is the foundation for all learning. She brings this to her program by means of positive language usage, infant message, and bonding and attachment. She enjoys her days in the Child Enrichment Center showing respect and compassion towards the parents and their children. Paula is an advocate for young children and promotes diversity in her program. Paula received her Bachelor’s degree in world religion at Central Michigan University, worked towards her Master’s degree at the University of Virginia, and continues to take courses in the field of child development. Paula is a proud parent of one daughter and is engaged to be married.
	Laurie Bjorklund Dagel – Finance Director Laurie joined Florence Crittenton in 2008 as Finance Director. Prior to this, she worked over 25 years providing bookkeeping and accounting services in the non profit ,medical, and aviation industry. She has extensive experience of streamlining financial systems and is working to migrate all Florence Crittenton’s accounting processes to new technology making her department more efficient, reliable and able to provide information to all departments instantly. In her spare time Laurie enjoys time spent with family and friends traveling and staying on her houseboat on one of Montanas beautiful lakes.
	Aleece Berg – Case Manager Aleece Berg came to FCH in 2007 as an intern after graduating with her B.A. in Psychology from Carroll College. Growing up in a large family in the small town of Denton, Montana Aleece knew she wanted to use her talents and experience to help teenagers create better lives for themselves. She went on to earn her Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Montana and now serves as a case manager and chemical dependency counselor. Her goal is to become a Licensed Addiction Counselor and LCSW. When not working, Aleece and her husband Chase enjoy being newlyweds, camping and playing in the great outdoors.