meet our team
Florence Crittenton has a talented team that are passionately committed to the provision of high quality services in the field of trauma, early childhood development, family support and recovery. This team works the magic, striving together towards one mission doing the best work of their careers.
Leadership

Carrie Krepps
Executive Director

Carrie Krepps
Executive Director
Carrie joined Florence Crittenton in March, 2010 as the Grants Officer. She quickly fell in love with the work and the organization and moved to the Development Director in 2001, a position she kept for 8 years. Carrie accepted the role of Executive Director in July of 2019.
Prior to her time here, Carrie was the Education Coordinator for the Montana Hospital Association. Her extensive experience in development work and project management includes time with the Helena Symphony, as well as the Assistant Director of Development and Director of Gameday Operations with the Montana State University Athletic Department in Bozeman.
Throughout her tenure at Florence Crittenton Carrie has worked closely with budget management, fund and contract development, and advocacy on several levels for Florence Crittenton. In her current role she leads the integrated Leadership team at Florence Crittenton and guides the organization’s mission through her work with the Board of Directors and staff. Over her 10 years, Carrie has gain extensive knowledge regarding the critical work of caring for families in an integrated family-centric treatment model.
Carrie holds a Business Marketing degree and minor in Small Business & Entrepreneurship from Montana State University-Bozeman. She is passionate about ensuring every family has the opportunity to raise their children in a loving environment. Raised by small business owner parents, she loves the “business side” of connecting this passion with partnerships across the state and strong business practices. Carrie is a Helena native and loves raising her two daughters, Ella and Sarah, with her husband, Fred Krepps, back in her hometown.
- Phone:406.442.6950 x 202
- Email:[email protected]

Jen Burckhard
Director of Community Services

Jen Burckhard
Director of Community Services
Jen’s passion for children began at a very young age. As a little girl anytime she was asked what she wanted to be when she grew up her answer was always the same; “I am going to be a mom when I grow up.” Little did Jen know that her goal of becoming a mother would happen much sooner in her life than she anticipated. In fact, she was only seventeen and a senior in high school when she found out she was expecting her first child. Jen graduated high school married, and with an infant in her arms. In many ways, her goal that she set years before as a young child had been achieved. She had become a mother, and the joy that it brought to her life was immeasurable. However, it didn’t take long for Jen to realize that her passion for children ran deeper than just parenting her own.
By the time she was twenty-five, Jen and her husband had four children. She continued working with children and families in a variety of atmospheres, primarily focusing on early childhood education. Working with families opened her eyes to the fact that every parent struggles, questions their ability; and many days feel as if they are failing. If additional factors such as; single parenting, teen parenting, addiction, poverty, or abuse are present the task of raising children and believing in yourself as a parent is often overwhelming. In 2013, Jen realized that her passion wasn’t working with children, it was working with families and helping parents break generational cycles, and to provide hope in the darkest places. She decided to continue her education and earn a degree that would allow her to work with families and young children on a deeper level.
Ms. Burckhard began her work at Florence Crittenton in 2015; providing in home education, parenting support, and vital resources to Helena community families and their children ages 0-5. She is also one of three certified SafeCare Trainers in the state of Montana, providing training, guidance and support to other home visitors who provide services in their respective communities across the state. Jen is excited to continue many more years of supporting Florence Crittenton’s mission to ensure all families have the best start and are able to thrive in a demanding world.
- Phone:406.442.6950 x 207
- Email:[email protected]

Mitch Carroll
Development Director

Mitch Carroll
Development Director
Mitch Carroll is honored to be serving Florence Crittenton and its community of families, staff, volunteers, and supporters in the role of Development Director.
Mitch is a “Western Montana Boy”—he was born in Butte of Anaconda stock, grew up in Clancy, attended high school in Boulder, graduated from college in Missoula, and settled in Helena with his wife, a girl from “Way Out East” (Billings, that is). Following stints in marketing, sales, and operations, during a chance conversation at his wife’s company Christmas party one year, Mitch discovered a line of work he’d never even heard of—nonprofit development. As it turns out, all those handwritten thank you letters his parents had forced him to write after holidays and birthday gifts had been opened had been preparing him his whole life for one of the most rewarding careers around – helping generous, committed people to contribute in a meaningful way to realizing positive change in their communities.
Mitch has long believed that small acts of generosity are the true seeds of any real change, whether in the lives of our family members and friends or in our communities, whether local or global. He sees the transformational work being done at Florence Crittenton as falling directly in step with that worldview and is enthusiastic about the opportunity to help others discover that place where “compassion meets action”.

Daniel Champer
Director of Clinical & Residential Services

Daniel Champer
Director of Clinical & Residential Services
Daniel currently serves as the Director of Clinical and Residential Services. A farm kid from Ohio, Daniel believes in hard work partnered with care and nurture. He has worked for over 15 years in the mental health field and has served as a direct care staff, therapist, clinical supervisor, and clinical director in programs specializing in lockdown residential treatment, sex offender treatment, group home care, school-based services, and outpatient services. He earned his Masters of Arts in Counseling from Waynesburg University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Daniel specializes in childhood development and complex trauma work throughout the life stages. He is passionate about digging in and coming alongside the tough and complicated situations that so many experience. Daniel is incredibly excited to be reaching even earlier into intervention with our families. He and his wife stay busy after work chasing six children and a variety of farm animals in an attempt to live simply but fully.

Elizabeth Flynn
Marketing Director

Elizabeth Flynn
Marketing Director
Liz’s journey to Florence Crittenton began with a cattle drive vacation, a rattlesnake and a cowboy! Having lived for 30 years in London working in the technology field she made the move to Montana and found her passion doing work that has meaning and playing her part in helping transform the lives of young families.
Today she is married to the cowboy and has 2 beautiful children and a badly behaved mutt. In her spare time she enjoys hiking in the mountains, camping, boating, a nice cup of tea and some English chocolate.
- Phone:406.442.6950 x 209
- Email:[email protected]

Sarah Johnson
Director of Operations

Sarah Johnson
Director of Operations
Sarah accepted the position of Director of Operations for Florence Crittenton in 2022. She was blessed to raise two adventurous, independent daughters in Helena where she has resided for over 20 years.
Sarah brings over 10 years of budget and inventory analysis to Florence as well as 12 years of office management experience. She also has worked with youth programs in Helena for over 6 years prioritizing health and nutrition. Sarah is excited to lend her expertise to such a wonderful community-oriented program.
Sarah holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry and a Master of Science degree in Pharmacology/Toxicology. Prior to her time at Florence, Sarah ran her own business in Helena for 10 years. In her free time, she works with her husband, Bryan Johnson, creating custom stained glass and metal artwork.

Sarah Mitchell
Early Childhood Program Director

Sarah Mitchell
Early Childhood Program Director
Sarah Mitchell is the Early Childhood Program Manager for Florence Crittenton Preschool and Child Enrichment Center. Originally from Georgia, Sarah brings over 12 years’ experience in the educational setting. While attending Valdosta State University, she received a BA in Psychology and M.Ed. in School Counseling. Sarah has developed a strong sense of devotion to supporting children’s development as a program manager of early prevention and intervention services. This experience has provided her with a deep appreciation for collaborating with educators, parents, and community partners to meet each child’s developmental needs. She believes early exposure to learning opportunities that are fun and engaging enhance children’s social-emotional, cognitive, communicative, and physical development. She is committed to providing a safe and nurturing environment where children develop a love of learning and feel a sense of belonging.
Board of Directors
Sarah Corbally, President
Ron Waterman, Vice President
Lisa Nelson, Secretary
Jim Carney, Treasurer
Amy Deitchler
Collette Hanson
Jamie Wood McCullough
Danielle Waddell
Creeana Rygg
Development

Mitch Carroll
Development Director

Mitch Carroll
Development Director
Mitch Carroll is honored to be serving Florence Crittenton and its community of families, staff, volunteers, and supporters in the role of Development Director.
Mitch is a “Western Montana Boy”—he was born in Butte of Anaconda stock, grew up in Clancy, attended high school in Boulder, graduated from college in Missoula, and settled in Helena with his wife, a girl from “Way Out East” (Billings, that is). Following stints in marketing, sales, and operations, during a chance conversation at his wife’s company Christmas party one year, Mitch discovered a line of work he’d never even heard of—nonprofit development. As it turns out, all those handwritten thank you letters his parents had forced him to write after holidays and birthday gifts had been opened had been preparing him his whole life for one of the most rewarding careers around – helping generous, committed people to contribute in a meaningful way to realizing positive change in their communities.
Mitch has long believed that small acts of generosity are the true seeds of any real change, whether in the lives of our family members and friends or in our communities, whether local or global. He sees the transformational work being done at Florence Crittenton as falling directly in step with that worldview and is enthusiastic about the opportunity to help others discover that place where “compassion meets action”.

Heather Greene
Deputy Development Director

Heather Greene
Deputy Development Director
Heather was born and raised in Missoula and ventured over the hill to Helena in 2006. She serves as Florence Crittenton’s Deputy Development Director, and brings more than 29 years of nonprofit experience, 14 of those in development, to Florence Crittenton. She has gained a thorough understanding of all aspects of fundraising with an emphasis on major donor stewardship and truly enjoys connecting with donors. Heather is proud to be a part of an organization that brings hope and healing to young families and helps set them up for a bright future.
Prior to joining Florence Crittenton in 2020, Heather served as the Development Director for Wild Montana and Prickly Pear Land Trust. In addition, she chaired the board of Heart of the Rockies Initiative, as well as Preschool, Inc. She served as Co-Chair of the Helena Development Directors Roundtable, served on the board of the Helena Public Montessori Parents, and has presented on Development in several venues.
In her free time, Heather enjoys exploring our special Montana with her dog Masie and three kids, hiking, floating, and camping.
- Phone:406.442.6950 x 255
- Email:[email protected]

Savannah Cribbs
Grants and Donor Data Manager

Savannah Cribbs
Grants and Donor Data Manager
Savannah serves as the Grants and In-Kind Manager at Florence Crittenton. She holds a B.A. in Nonprofit Management and Leadership from High Point University in North Carolina. Savannah previously served as an AmeriCorps VISTA at a disaster recovery organization in Pensacola, Florida, where she worked to secure funding to return families to safe, permanent housing following hurricanes and other major storms.
She brings her talents to Helena after falling in love with Montana while working a seasonal resort job near Yellowstone National Park. Savannah is passionate about working with organizations that build the resilience of the clients they serve, and is thrilled to have the opportunity to support Florence Crittenton’s mission. In her free time, Savannah enjoys getting out in nature, going on spontaneous road trips, thrift shopping, and reading.
- Phone:406.442.6950 x 216
- Email:[email protected]

Devyn Wunderwald
Community Relations Coordinator

Devyn Wunderwald
Community Relations Coordinator
- Phone:
- Email:
Clinical

Daniel Champer
Director of Clinical & Residential Services

Daniel Champer
Director of Clinical & Residential Services
Daniel currently serves as the Director of Clinical and Residential Services. A farm kid from Ohio, Daniel believes in hard work partnered with care and nurture. He has worked for over 15 years in the mental health field and has served as a direct care staff, therapist, clinical supervisor, and clinical director in programs specializing in lockdown residential treatment, sex offender treatment, group home care, school-based services, and outpatient services. He earned his Masters of Arts in Counseling from Waynesburg University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Daniel specializes in childhood development and complex trauma work throughout the life stages. He is passionate about digging in and coming alongside the tough and complicated situations that so many experience. Daniel is incredibly excited to be reaching even earlier into intervention with our families. He and his wife stay busy after work chasing six children and a variety of farm animals in an attempt to live simply but fully.

Kendall Small
Substance Use Services Clinical Supervisor

Kendall Small
Substance Use Services Clinical Supervisor
Kendall has been a part of Florence Crittenton as a Licensed Addictions Counselor for about three years. Kendall works with residential and outpatient clients in both an individual and group setting. Kendall has been in the field of addictions for 7 years and is currently licensed through the state of Montana. Kendall has a Bachelor of Science in Family and Consumer Sciences, as well as a Graduate Certification in Licensed Addiction Counseling both from Montana State University. Go Cats! Kendall is currently in school full-time pursuing her master’s degree in social work. Kendall has recognized the need for dually licensed providers for client success. Kendall will graduate in June and pursue hours to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker.
Kendall grew up in Helena and moved to Bozeman to pursue her education. As a young single mother herself, she realized her passion for wanting to help young mothers and families, which brought her back to Helena and to Florence Crittenton. Kendall wholeheartedly believes that compassion and empathy can help clients and their families live a purposeful, and joy-filled lives. Kendall looks forward to supporting and empowering all of her clients on their journey in recovery.
When not at work you can find Kendall at the lake, getting outside with her 5-month-old and 4-year-old sons, or in the mountains hiking.
- Phone:406.442.6950 x 316
- Email:[email protected]

Kara Brockett
Clinical Services Program Manager

Kara Brockett
Clinical Services Program Manager
Kara Brockett served Florence Crittenton as the Admissions coordinator for a year before transitioning into the Clinical Services Program Manager. Kara graduated from Park University in 2016 with her bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Management. She has worked in the healthcare field for more than 15 years, however, decided to follow her heart and passion into an even more rewarding career in nonprofit, serving young mothers and families.
Kara’s driving force is her husband and 3 children that are her world. She knew from a young age she wanted to be a mother, and she is now living her dream. She believes the Helena community is a wonderful community to raise children in, there is support from every angle, someone always willing to help. During her free time when Kara isn’t cleaning, she loves getting her children outside on adventures, hiking, fishing, camping, and her son’s favorite…skipping rocks at the lake.
Her desire has always been to help people, specifically pregnant and nursing mothers. She has such a passion for young families and a desire to empower mothers and young families so that they can reach their full God-given potential. Coming to Florence Crittenton has been a beautiful transition in her career and allows her to fill this passion. She is excited to continue growing in such a great organization and bonding with the team and the clients. She believes the future holds great things for the organization and is excited to be a part of the dream becoming a reality!
- Phone:406.442.6950 x 307
- Email:[email protected]

Juliana Alfaro
Case Manager

Juliana Alfaro
Case Manager
Juliana, also known as Julie, is originally from San Diego, CA. She is the mother of two beautiful children, and she moved to Montana in April of 2020 amid the COVID pandemic to give her children a better life and to focus on school.
Julie joined Florence Crittenton in June of 2020 as a Family-Centered Aide. After her first day as a floor staff, she didn’t quite understand the meaning behind the work that is put into this place, the women, and their children, but she stayed with it. Six months later Julie was promoted to Rehab Aide, becoming part of the Clinical team, and was now supporting clients with meeting personal goals and helping them build skills in areas like independent living, social skills, education, employment, and parenting. She considered herself their “right hand woman”.
Shortly after her first promotion, a Case Management opportunity presented itself and, being a person who seeks and needs constant growth and improvement in her life, she went for it and has been a Case Manager for our women in Recovery since March of 2022. Julie is currently enrolled at Helena College to finish her nursing degree; however, she says that continuing with some social work doesn’t sound too bad to her either!
When not at work, Julie enjoys getting out of the house with her children and cooking. Julie’s love language? Anything spicy!

Bob Caldwell
Medical Director

Bob Caldwell
Medical Director
Bob joined Florence Crittenton in 2018 and serves as our Medical Director. Bob has practiced in Helena for over 23 years both in private practice and on a contract basis with other agencies.
Most recently Bob worked with AWARE, Inc. and prior to that he was a psychiatrist for the PACT (Program of Assertive Community Treatment) at the Center for Mental Health.
Bob has extensive experience in both public and private psychiatry including inpatient, outpatient, consulting and addiction psychiatry. He has also held faculty appointments at the University of California, Davis and at the University of New Mexico. He holds a Bachelors degree in Music, a Masters in Computer Science and his Medical Doctorate from UNM.
In his spare time Bob enjoys music and sings in the Helena Symphony Chorale as well as taking occasional parts in Helena’s local Ballet Company. He is an avid private pilot and enjoys flying kids in the Young Eagles Program.
Bob is excited to draw on all the skills and experience he has accumulated during his career to help the young families at Florence Crittenton.

Amber Dechaine
Clinical Therapist LCSW

Amber Dechaine
Clinical Therapist LCSW
Amber joined the Florence Crittenton team in 2019 as a SafeCare Home Visitor. Upon graduating with her master’s degree in social work from Walla Walla University’s adjunct campus in Missoula, she transitioned to the role of Clinical Therapist with our residential programs in late 2020. Amber originally comes from Minnesota where she completed her undergraduate degree in social work with a minor in human relations. There she worked as and Case Manager for adults living with developmental disabilities until moving to Montana to complete a year of service with AmeriCorps and the Montana Department of Labor and Industry.
Amber is passionate about supporting families with the belief that every individual cultivates their unique perspective of this world through the lens of their upbringing. Creating a healthy world starts at the root of each individual- their childhood experiences.
Understanding the impacts of adverse childhood experiences on the life span has been an influential focus of Amber’s studies, she works to integrate this trauma- informed care as a foundation to build upon cognitive behavioral, solutions focused, strengths-based, and person-centered techniques. Amber strives to provide each client with an individualized therapeutic experience tailored to meet their needs in the safety of a judgment free environment where every client feels heard and accepted.
- Phone:406.442.6950 x 21
- Email:[email protected]

Shelly Gandee
Recovery Support Specialist

Shelly Gandee
Recovery Support Specialist
Shelly is from Washington state and has enjoyed her sobriety since July 23, 2017. Once Shelly started her journey in recovery, she knew that she wanted to work with other addicts and alcoholics.
Shelly gained experience and confidence working in mental health and treatment services during her previous work at Lynnwood Recreation Center and Residence XII, before finding Newport Academy. There, she worked with adolescent women ages 13-18, learning about mental health and the underlying issues that come along when it is untreated. While working with these amazing girls, she was able to share her own experiences, strength, and hope. She hoped they would hear something from her experiences to help them avoid the path of addiction.
In August of 2020, Shelly moved Helena to be with her youngest son and soon began work at Florence Crittenton as a Family-Centered Aide. Shelly knows that she belongs with Florence Crittenton because she has a passion for working alongside mothers trying to make a new life. Through sharing her experiences, strength, and hope with these women she knows she can advocate for them and help them succeed in their own journeys. In June of 2022, Shelly was promoted to Recovery Support Specialist and is now a certified Peer Support Specialist.
Shelly says that no matter what kind of day we have in our recovery journey she knows one thing, “As long as you have hope, you never give up,” and that this work is what she will do for the rest of her life.

Kendall Larson
Early Childhood and Parenting Specialist

Kendall Larson
Early Childhood and Parenting Specialist
Kendall, known as ‘Grandma K’ (to avoid confusion with the other red-headed Kendall) is a grateful newcomer to Florence Crittenton. She has a background in mental health, working in chemical dependency, women’s shelters, and mental health agencies.
Kendall is the proud mother of four grown children, and the lucky wife of her husband of 33 years.

Lenna Pocklington
Admissions and Data Coordinator

Lenna Pocklington
Admissions and Data Coordinator
Lenna Pocklington is an experienced professional with 25 years of direct care experience, specializing in working with individuals with developmental disabilities and older adults. In 2018, she served as a direct support specialist at Family Outreach and quickly rose to a management position. In 2021, Lenna relocated to Missoula and assumed the role of program manager at Missoula Aging Services. Alongside her extensive experience in direct care, Lenna is deeply passionate about combating drug addiction and possesses a great deal of compassion for people in need.
In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her kids, watching football, and reading. Lenna recently relocated back from Missoula to Helena and is very excited to have an opportunity to be a part of the Florence Crittenton mission.
- Phone:406.442.6950 x 307
- Email:[email protected]

Jolene VanValkenburgh
Case Manager

Jolene VanValkenburgh
Case Manager
Jolene Van Valkenburgh is the Program Manager/ Case Manager for the Residential Programs at Florence Crittenton Homes and Services. Jolene joined the Florence Crittenton team May of 2017, and found working with pregnant and parenting women rewarding. Jolene finds fulfillment in connecting clients to comprehensive resources and advocating for individuals and their families.
Jolene brings 18 years of experiences from work at the Montana Development Center, Alternative Youth Adventures/ Youth Dynamics Inc., Acadia of Montana, and Intermountain Children’s Home.
Her experiences spans from direct client care, supervisory roles, school base services, to managing residential programs at Florence Crittenton Home and Services.
Jolene is a Certified trainer with Crisis Prevention Intervention, trained in trauma informed care, and is a Licensed Foster Care provider.
- Phone:406.442.6950 x 210
- Email:[email protected]

Amanda Williams
Clinical Therapist SWLC / Licensed Addiction Counselor

Amanda Williams
Clinical Therapist SWLC / Licensed Addiction Counselor
As a native Montanan, Amanda was motivated to pursue her graduate degree in Missoula from Walla Walla University. She completed her undergraduate degree in social work and addictions counseling curriculum at the University of Montana. Her experience with social work includes case management, client advocacy, and co-occurring therapy. Amanda is currently working with residential and outpatient clients with mental health and addiction related therapeutic needs.
Working with youth, families, clients with addictions, and survivors of interpersonal violence have all had an influential impact on Amanda’s desire to be able to help clients with multiple therapeutic needs. Amanda appreciates the importance of being able to treat both mental health and addiction concerns for client success.
Understanding the complex nature of every person’s journey, Amanda integrates individualized and trauma-informed care into treatment. She is passionate about providing a safe and welcoming space to explore experiences and goals using a strength-based approach while motivated to support and empower her clients and their families in pursuing their goals of wellness.
Residential

David Pipinich
Residential Program Manager

David Pipinich
Residential Program Manager
David was born in Great Falls, MT but spent 15 years moving around the U.S. and abroad as an active duty member of the Air Force. After several years of professional and supervisory experience, David finished his B.A. in both Psychology and Sociology at Carroll College while continuing his military career part-time in the Air National Guard, and falling in love with Helena community. He plans on continued education to attain his Masters in clinical counseling.
David is a faithful Christian, husband, and father of 5. David has worked alongside her loving wife and kids to create and maintain “The Good Doers,” a community and facebook group that fosters generosity toward others and common welfare through community service and action. David loves spending time with his family, practicing Central Hawaiian Activities Kenpo Karate with his Dad, and recharging outdoors. He enjoys writing and reading and is always up for learning and trying new things.
David agrees wholeheartedly with the mission of Florence Crittenton in providing a comprehensive continuum of services to support those in need. He embraces each new day and seeks opportunities to foster environments that provide trauma-responsive, relationship-based care to help clients find the best possible futures for themselves and their families.
- Phone:406.442.6950 x 203
- Email:[email protected]

Olivia Nordlund
Residential Assistant Program Manager


Bettie Carlon
Rehabilitation Aide


Adrianna Munroe
Rehabilitation Aide

Adrianna Munroe
Rehabilitation Aide
Adrianna is originally from California, but moved to Montana when she was a young girl. She attended Montana State University and received her Bachelor’s in Human Development and Family Science. After taking a year off, she went back to school, attending Grand Canyon University to achieve her Master’s of Science in Addiction Counseling.
She has worked in residential treatment centers and daycare settings since graduating from MSU, gaining the experience and knowledge that she now uses to help the mothers and babies today. She has always had a passion for helping people and seeing them succeed in life, whatever that may look like. Adrianna loves what Florence Crittenton does for the community and the mission lies close to her heart.
Adrianna hopes to continue helping the families when she graduates in February and starts her new journey as a Licensed Addiction Counselor. In her free time, she loves to do anything that involves being outside, hanging out with her two dogs, going to the gym, and just being with friends and family.

Clarissa Stewart
Rehabilitation Aide


Brittany Gamble
Rehabilitation Aide

Brittany Gamble
Rehabilitation Aide
Brittany is originally from Texas. She joined the Air Force and in 2007 moved to Montana when she was stationed at Malstrom Air Force Base in Great Falls. She moved to Helena in 2013.
After leaving the Air Force, Brittany went to work at Shodair where she found that she enjoyed working with children and discovered a passion to continue work in the field of Mental Health. Brittany pursued this passion all the way through school to obtain her BA in both Psychology and Sociology.
Finished with school, Brittany spent some time working with the Helena Pre-Release and while she enjoyed working with that population, she still felt the desire to work with children and families, so she came to Florence Crittenton to do just that. Brittany was once told that in order to stay young at heart, you work with children. She is excited about working with young mothers and their children, creating new connections and bonds.
In her free time, Brittany likes to crochet and garden. She also enjoys spending time with her “mini-me”. Brittany and her daughter love going for walks, watching movies, and spending lots of family time together.

Ariel Lewis
Rehabilitation Aide


Stephanie Maynard
Rehabilitation Aide


Laura Pearson
Rehabilitation Aide


Savannah VanValkenburgh
Rehabilitation Aide


Gretchen Wysocki
Rehabilitation Aide

Gretchen Wysocki
Rehabilitation Aide
Gretchen’s Florence Crittenton journey started 17 years ago. She was in a graduate program at the University of Providence (UGF) and a degree requirement was an internship. After careful consideration and talking to a few people, she chose Florence Crittenton.
Gretchen says that the mission of the organization and the passion of the people who work here are what drew her in and those are the reasons why she has remained here. “Day in and day out, helping those we work with realize that they are valued and can achieve their goals has been life changing. I love what I do!”
Outside of Florence you can find Gretchen spending time with her family, reading and learning, or at her other job at Bryant Elementary, helping kids learn.
Early Childhood

Sarah Mitchell
Early Childhood Program Director

Sarah Mitchell
Early Childhood Program Director
Sarah Mitchell is the Early Childhood Program Manager for Florence Crittenton Preschool and Child Enrichment Center. Originally from Georgia, Sarah brings over 12 years’ experience in the educational setting. While attending Valdosta State University, she received a BA in Psychology and M.Ed. in School Counseling. Sarah has developed a strong sense of devotion to supporting children’s development as a program manager of early prevention and intervention services. This experience has provided her with a deep appreciation for collaborating with educators, parents, and community partners to meet each child’s developmental needs. She believes early exposure to learning opportunities that are fun and engaging enhance children’s social-emotional, cognitive, communicative, and physical development. She is committed to providing a safe and nurturing environment where children develop a love of learning and feel a sense of belonging.

Micaela Wilfong
Early Childhood Program Manager

Micaela Wilfong
Early Childhood Program Manager
Micaela Wilfong is an Early Childhood Program Supervisor at Florence Crittenton Preschool. Micaela graduated from Montana State University-Bozeman in 2014 with a BS in Early Childhood Education. Since graduating, Micaela has taught preschool in various programs in Tennessee and Montana. She is a strong advocate for family services being a leading part of the preschool program. Micaela believes “when you start a child in preschool you don’t just enroll the child, you enroll the family”. Micaela is a firm believer that parents are their child’s first educators and that preschool is an extension of family driven learning. She believes having parents as an active participant and advocate in their child’s education is essential. Micaela is excited to be a part of the Florence Crittenton team and to bring her education and experience to the classroom.

Allison Pettit
Early Childhood Administrative Support

Allison Pettit
Early Childhood Administrative Support
Allison Pettit brings over 30 years of experience in early childhood education to Florence Crittenton’s Child Enrichment Center. As a Floating Teacher at the center, she ensures all children receive the cognitive, physical, communicative, and social-emotional supports they need to further their growth and development. Recognizing families are essential to early childhood success, Allison strives to build connections and maintain open discourse with each family. She utilizes her bachelor’s degree and early childhood trainings to implement daily developmentally appropriate best practices in the CEC. Allison enjoys creating a fun, engaging, stimulating environment for the children and shares the best part of early childhood development, as well as her day, centers around play.

Brianna Absher
Early Childhood Lead Teacher

Brianna Absher
Early Childhood Lead Teacher
Brianna believes strongly in building close relationships with each child and making sure her approach brings out the best in each amazing individual. She understands the benefits of early childhood development in terms of social and emotional development as well as building a village surrounding each child that ensures their success. Brianna enjoys every day at work, she says the children always put a smile on her face and she enjoys every minute with the amazing human beings that they are developing into! She also values being a part of the wonderfully supportive Florence Crittenton Early Childhood team. She says they have a ton of fun and always work together as a team to give each child the best possible experience at preschool.

Denice Wells
Early Childhood Lead Teacher

Denice Wells
Early Childhood Lead Teacher
Denice Wells is an Early Childhood Lead Teacher at the Florence Crittenton Child Enrichment Center (CEC). With over 23 years of experience in the early childhood profession, she is an expert in ensuring the CEC operates efficiently. From meeting the needs of children 0-2 to mentoring new staff members, Denice is known for her caring, responsible, and trustworthy personality. She continually seeks opportunities for growth in her field and has attended several trainings that address various areas of child development. Denice believes children are happiest when they feel safe and loved. She is passionate about providing an atmosphere where infants and toddlers can safely explore their environment. Denice is proud of the accomplishments the CEC has achieved, and she strives to ensure the center continues to experience success.

Madison Katwyk
Early Childhood Lead Teacher

Madison Katwyk
Early Childhood Lead Teacher
Madison, a talented educator with an associate degree in education, has been shaping young minds since 2021. With a rich background as an Assistant Director, Site Supervisor, and Lead Teacher, she brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to her role. Recognizing the significance of early childhood education, Madison firmly believes in providing children with a strong foundation in social-emotional skills, literacy, and mathematics. Seeing children evolve into their unique personalities and gain self-assurance brings immense joy to Madison. She finds inspiration in her students’ determination to learn new things, even when faced with challenges. This motivates her to embrace a similar attitude in her own life.
Madison also believes that collaboration between families and teachers is pivotal, as it fosters a sense of importance and belonging in each student. With her dedication to early childhood education, passion for social-emotional growth and commitment to family collaboration, Madison strives to make a lasting impact on her students’ lives.

Sharaya Doney
Early Childhood Lead Teacher

Sharaya Doney
Early Childhood Lead Teacher
Sharaya Doney is the Early Childhood Lead Teacher for the 4-to-5-year-old classroom at the Child Enrichment Center. With over 15 years working in early childhood education, she understands the important role teachers play in providing positive experiences to kiddos at a young age. She is passionate about children’s learning and therefore strives to teach them something new every day. Sharaya’s approaches in the classroom toward all her little learners entails having an open mind, loving heart, understanding, and plenty of patience. She values spending time with each of her students because these opportunities not only help build their relationship but also provide her insight into their unique and special personalities. She is excited to share new experiences with the children in her classroom and hopes to help them establish a strong love of learning that they will take with them when they transition to Kindergarten.

Amy Drennon
Early Childhood Assistant Teacher

Amy Drennon
Early Childhood Assistant Teacher
Amy Drennon, a passionate and driven teacher, strongly believes in the transformative power of early childhood education. She recongizes that these formative years are the ideal time for children to develop the social and emotional skills that will set them on a path towards lifelong success and fulfillment. She finds it incredibly rewarding to observe young minds as they navigate the complexities of relationships, express their emotions, and learn valuable life skills. Seeing children work through conflicts and arrive at positive resolutions fills Amy’s heart with pride, knowing that she played a part in fostering their growth and emotional intelligence.
Creating a safe and inclusive environment is paramount for Amy. She believes that children flourish when they feel comfortable being themselves and exploring their interests. By fostering an atmosphere of acceptance and respect, Amy empowers her students to embrace their individuality and develop a strong sense of self-worth.

Celia Shriver
Early Childhood Assistant Teacher

Celia Shriver
Early Childhood Assistant Teacher
Celia joined Florence Crittenton in May 2022 to work with our infants and toddlers in our Child Enrichment Center. She brings 5 years experience working in Early Childhood and particularly enjoys creating a bond with each child, seeing them grow and develop into healthy little individuals.
Celia believes high quality childcare and preschool truly sets kids up to be successful in school and in life. She enjoys working with parents as a team to ensure each child’s success and values being part of such a cohesive team where every child is valued and nurtured.

Tara Harrington
Early Childhood Assistant Teacher

Tara Harrington
Early Childhood Assistant Teacher
Tara was born and raised in Helena, MT and comes to Florence Crittenton with almost five years of early childhood experience! She has taught between the ages of 0-10 and loved every second of it. Tara is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education with hopes to continue on and get a Master’s in Early Childhood Education.
Her teaching philosophy is, “It is a teacher’s job to teach children how to be human, not to yell at them when they get it wrong.” Tara’s favorite thing about teaching is watching each child change and grow every single day; it truly is magical!

Briana Clark
Early Childhood Teacher Aide


Phoebe Hale
Early Childhood Teacher Aide

Phoebe Hale
Early Childhood Teacher Aide
Phoebe joins the Florence Crittenton team as a Teacher Aide in the Child Enrichment Center. Previously, she worked as a manager at a local restaurant here in Helena and after graduating from Helena High School she briefly moved to Washington where she got a taste of working in Early Childhood Education.
Upon returning to Helena, Phoebe came to Florence Crittenton because she very much enjoys teaching children, and she knew that she wanted to continue exploring the passion she felt for Early Childhood Education. Her goal is to become a Lead Teacher in the future!
In her free time, Phoebe enjoys arts and crafts, playing her ukelele, exercising, and the great outdoor experiences that Montana has to offer.

Ella Krepps
Early Childhood Classroom Aide

Ella Krepps
Early Childhood Classroom Aide
Ella Krepps is an enthusiastic early childhood teacher with previous experience as a camp counselor and gymnastics coach. She believes what children learn during their early years forms the foundation for their entire lives. Ella finds joy in observing the different personalities of each child and witnessing how they interact with one another. She values the opportunity to engage with each child individually, tailoring her approach to suit their needs.
Having personally benefitted from early education in her own childhood, Ella values the role the exposure plays in social skill development, friendship-building, and fostering independence. As a teacher, she loves embracing silliness and incorporating fun and playful approaches to teaching. She believes that children thrive when they can learn in an environment surrounded by caring friends and teachers. Ella understands that when children feel loved and supported, they become more open to learning and to develop essential social-emotional skills.

Brooke Hatten
Early Childhood Chef

Brooke Hatten
Early Childhood Chef
Brooke Hatten is the Early Childhood Cook for Florence Crittenton’s Early Childhood Programs. With previous experience in a childcare setting and in a variety of establishments within the food industry, she now enjoys bridging these two fields together in her work in our centers. Brooke values introducing new foods to children because she believes learning happens at any moment, especially during mealtimes. She is adept at meeting the needs of children with food allergies and intolerances. For Brooke, “Interaction with the children within our programs is key because I gain insight regarding their eating habits. Not only is this time with them a fun experience, but it also inspires me to seek out new ways to incorporate different foods and to be creative, so that all kids, even those with dietary restrictions, can enjoy the same meal!“
Community team

Jen Burckhard
Director of Community Services

Jen Burckhard
Director of Community Services
Jen’s passion for children began at a very young age. As a little girl anytime she was asked what she wanted to be when she grew up her answer was always the same; “I am going to be a mom when I grow up.” Little did Jen know that her goal of becoming a mother would happen much sooner in her life than she anticipated. In fact, she was only seventeen and a senior in high school when she found out she was expecting her first child. Jen graduated high school married, and with an infant in her arms. In many ways, her goal that she set years before as a young child had been achieved. She had become a mother, and the joy that it brought to her life was immeasurable. However, it didn’t take long for Jen to realize that her passion for children ran deeper than just parenting her own.
By the time she was twenty-five, Jen and her husband had four children. She continued working with children and families in a variety of atmospheres, primarily focusing on early childhood education. Working with families opened her eyes to the fact that every parent struggles, questions their ability; and many days feel as if they are failing. If additional factors such as; single parenting, teen parenting, addiction, poverty, or abuse are present the task of raising children and believing in yourself as a parent is often overwhelming. In 2013, Jen realized that her passion wasn’t working with children, it was working with families and helping parents break generational cycles, and to provide hope in the darkest places. She decided to continue her education and earn a degree that would allow her to work with families and young children on a deeper level.
Ms. Burckhard began her work at Florence Crittenton in 2015; providing in home education, parenting support, and vital resources to Helena community families and their children ages 0-5. She is also one of three certified SafeCare Trainers in the state of Montana, providing training, guidance and support to other home visitors who provide services in their respective communities across the state. Jen is excited to continue many more years of supporting Florence Crittenton’s mission to ensure all families have the best start and are able to thrive in a demanding world.
- Phone:406.442.6950 x 207
- Email:[email protected]

Stacey Maharg
Parenting Class Facilitator

Stacey Maharg
Parenting Class Facilitator
Stacey joined Florence Crittenton in 2023 after over 25 years teaching in both private and public schools in Helena. As well as her dedication to her student’s academic success Stacey is also passionate about relationship building, trauma healing and life coaching for individuals and families.
In her spare time Stacey loves baking, watching movies and playing with her grandkids, visiting her adult children, and spending time in the beautiful Montana outdoors with her husband and dog.
Stacey was first introduced to Florence Crittenton when she was in middle school. It was such a great experience she decided then that one day she wanted to be a part of such a wonderful organization. Now 40 years later she is excited to serve our community and help parents grow and thrive through our parenting classes.
- Phone:
- Email:

Amanda Lott
Cultural Coordinator and Program Advancement Specialist

Amanda Lott
Cultural Coordinator and Program Advancement Specialist
Amanda is originally from Great Falls, Montana and is an enrolled member of the Ft. Belknap Tribe of Montana with family ties to two of Montana’s Tribal communities – the Blackfeet Nation by way of her mother and the Fort Belknap Tribe by way of her father. Before moving back to Montana in 2022, Amanda previously called Helena home. She attended classes at Helena High School, served as a Montana Ambassador for the Arthritis Foundation, and volunteered as a camp counselor for Camp Limber Limbs – a camp for kids with Rheumatoid Arthritis that took place in Gold Creek, Montana. Amanda then attended college in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Non-Profit management from the University of Idaho.
Amanda brings 8 years of experience providing direct care, support and case management to children, women and families in crisis. Prior to joining Florence Crittenton, she served as the Transitional Housing Case Manager for a large non-profit in the metropolitan area of Phoenix, Arizona where she assisted families in overcoming barriers related to homelessness and employment.
Amanda has a passion for helping others and is excited to continue working for families in crisis – providing parenting skills, resources, and guiding young mothers on their path to success.

Amanda Steichen
Parents as Teachers (PAT) Home Visitor

Amanda Steichen
Parents as Teachers (PAT) Home Visitor
Amanda Steichen joined Florence Crittenton in June 2019 as a Parents as Teachers Home Visitor. She and her family moved from Great Falls to Helena in 2008 and it didn’t take long for them to fall in love with the community. Amanda had three children soon after getting married and with her husband in the military often found herself being a single parent. Knowing the struggles of being a young mom and oftentimes doing it alone she is excited to be able to help families in the community develop parenting skills and build strong bonds with their kids.
Amanda was able to stay home with her kids while they were young but as they grew older she knew she needed to do something for herself. In 2014 she enrolled at Helena College after being out of school for 16 years. Not sure where her education would take her she quickly found an interest in Psychology and took every class that she could. When the University of Montana partnered with Helena College to offer an online Social Work degree she knew that was the path to take. Amanda graduated with her Bachelor’s in Social Work in May 2019. She plans to pursue her Master’s degree in Social work in 2021.
- Phone:406.442.6950 x 219
- Email:[email protected]

Christi Thomas
SafeCare Home Visitor

Christi Thomas
SafeCare Home Visitor
Retiring after 27 years in K-12 education, Christi joined Florence Crittenton in 2023. Parenting is a hard job, and many people were able to support Christi as a mom, so she’s excited to support families through education.
With a combined total of 6 children and 1 grandchild, Christi and her husband stay busy with family life. Their free time is spent mostly outdoors. Hiking, camping, kayaking, and snowshoeing are favorite pastimes. They are often accompanied by Cora, their energetic pup.

Marie Wangerin
Parents as Teachers (PAT) Home Visitor

Marie Wangerin
Parents as Teachers (PAT) Home Visitor
Marie has lived most of her life in the northeastern corner of Montana as a mother of three daughters and an elementary school teacher. She is married to a farmer/rancher who still commutes back & forth to northeastern Montana. After 30 years of teaching, she retired in May of 2022. As her youngest child left for college, they made the big move to Helena in September of 2022.
With those major changes in her life over this past year, Marie is looking forward to new adventures! She believes being a parent is the most important job there is in life, and she wanted to find a new “occupation” which led her to Florence Crittenton. Her hope is that as a Parent Educator she can help guide parents along their journey to be the best for their children.
Marie loves the outdoors and spending time with her family, especially her children who are spreading their wings in different places as adults.
Administrative

Sarah Johnson
Director of Operations

Sarah Johnson
Director of Operations
Sarah accepted the position of Director of Operations for Florence Crittenton in 2022. She was blessed to raise two adventurous, independent daughters in Helena where she has resided for over 20 years.
Sarah brings over 10 years of budget and inventory analysis to Florence as well as 12 years of office management experience. She also has worked with youth programs in Helena for over 6 years prioritizing health and nutrition. Sarah is excited to lend her expertise to such a wonderful community-oriented program.
Sarah holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry and a Master of Science degree in Pharmacology/Toxicology. Prior to her time at Florence, Sarah ran her own business in Helena for 10 years. In her free time, she works with her husband, Bryan Johnson, creating custom stained glass and metal artwork.

Jodie Lineaweaver
Human Resources Manager - PHR

Jodie Lineaweaver
Human Resources Manager - PHR
Jodie was born in Oregon but grew up primarily in Montana. After many years in customer service and management, she moved to a field of work that was more meaningful to her. For 9 years she worked at a local non-profit organization that assists adults with Developmental Disabilities. Working with the clients there really gave her a passion to serve our most vulnerable populations.
Jodie has a degree in Healthcare Administration, and a PHR certification. She has been a long-standing member of the Helena Job Service Employers Committee (JSEC) working with local employers to provide them with HR knowledge, trainings and materials, and providing scholarships to High School students looking to further their education.
She enjoys spending time with her two boys, watching movies, and is an avid reader. She is a 3rd degree Black Belt in Taekwondo, holds several Championship titles, and is a certified instructor.
The mission of Florence Crittenton is near and dear to Jodie’s heart, and she is honored to be a part of the dynamic team at Florence Crittenton!
- Phone:406.442.6950 x 208
- Email:[email protected]

Angie Cejka
Administrative Assistant

Angie Cejka
Administrative Assistant
Angie Cejka serves Florence Crittenton as an administrative assistant. Her eclectic career path and intrinsic drive to support people brings a unique skill set and positive attitude to our organization. From copies to grocery runs, Angie makes it possible for our team to take care of the big jobs.
Angie was born in Detroit, Michigan. She graduated from Northern Michigan University in 2008, and in 2010 moved to an Alaskan bush village on the Bering Sea for six years with her husband, where she worked as a high school English teacher, a librarian, and the manager of the Togiak Boys & Girls Club. She gave birth to a son in 2013, then moved with her family to Montana in 2016 – the first time she ever moved south! Her family adopted a former student in 2017 and now they currently embrace the chaos in her 1890 homestead with her husband, children, mother, two dogs, three chickens, and a cat. In her spare time, she is a fiber artist and cooking/baking enthusiast.
- Phone:
- Email:

Bridget Rebo
Finance Technician

Bridget Rebo
Finance Technician
Bridget is a Montana native, mostly raised in a small town outside of Missoula. She has a wide range of work experiences that range from being a PCA to Accounting. For the last six years she has focused on non-profit accounting.
She has been in Helena for the last 13 years where her and her husband have raised their three children. In her free time Bridget enjoys running, reading, and riding motorcycles.
Bridget is excited to have the privilege of combining her love for serving others and accounting as part of the team at Florence Crittenton.
- Phone:406.442.6950 x 261
- Email:[email protected]

Skeeter Warner
Custodian
