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Amy Schaer
Chief Executive Officer
(406) 541-1652 // aschaer@youthhomesmt.org
As Chief Executive Officer, Amy reports to the Board of Directors and is responsible for overseeing all facets of the organization including program development, fundraising, marketing, strategy, policy, collaboration and personnel.
Amy has been with Youth Homes since 2008, first with our InnerRoads Wilderness therapy program as field staff, then as Program Director before moving on to the role of Development Director from 2014-2023. Amy’s style of inspirational and collaborative leadership, both inside and external to the Youth Homes organization, are important as Amy works to advance Youth Homes’ mission of ensuring every youth feels safe, has a sense of belonging, and a place to call home.
When Amy is not in the office, she likes to stay active by exploring Montana’s wilderness.
Charlie Wellenstein, MSW, LCSW
Chief Operating Officer
(406) 546-1646 // cwellenstein@youthhomesmt.org
Charlie was hired as Chief Operating Officer in February of 2023 for his second tenure with Youth Homes. Charlie brings a wealth of experience in both Clinical and Program Administration. He will oversee service areas of Youth Homes (Shelter Care, Therapeutic Group Care and Dan Fox Family Care Program). He recently retired as Director of the Montana Child Welfare Training Program at the University of Montana; a program that focuses on recruitment and retention for CFSD as well as training and evaluation. He started his career with us in the 1980s with our Talbot Center, then went on to direct our Attention and Tom Roy Youth Guidance Homes, and helped establish the Flathead Youth Shelter in Kalispell and the group homes now under the Partnership for Children. Over the years, he has remained connected to our work through the supervision of practicum students at UM and coordinating community outreach for the Youth Crisis Diversion Project. He is excited and humbled to rejoin the Youth Homes!
Dann Swallow
Chief Financial Officer
(406) 541-1644 // dswallow@youthhomesmt.org
As Chief Financial Officer, Dann oversees the financial operations of the organization. Dann has degrees in both Developmental Psychology and Accounting, making him a unique fit for our organization and his position. Dann and his wife, Lisa, have two 20-something sons and a golden retriever. When they’re not out enjoying the mountains and lakes of Montana, they can be found seeking diving or trekking on their next international adventure.
Gabe Goeres
CHIEF PERSONNEL OFFICER
406-541-1656 // ggoeres@youthhomesmt.org
Gabe began his career with Youth Homes at the Tom Roy Youth Guidance Home in 2008 as an overnight staff member. He worked there until 2014, transitioning from overnight staff to day staff. In 2014, Gabe moved to California to work in residential treatment at the Casa Pacifica Centers for Children, where he advanced from assistant supervisor to cottage supervisor.
After a year and the birth of his son, Gabe and his family returned to Missoula, where he rejoined Youth Homes as the Program Manager of the Talbot Home for Girls. He spent two years in that role, deepening his experience and appreciation for Youth Homes’ mission, before transitioning back to the Tom Roy Home as the Program Director. Gabe served in that capacity for two years before leaving Youth Homes to broaden his career and experience.
From 2020 to 2024, Gabe worked at Missoula Aging Services, where he created a program serving some of the community’s most vulnerable individuals, including those living alone with Alzheimer’s and related dementias and caregivers. After three years, he was promoted to Community Services Director, spending the last year on the leadership team and assisting with strategic planning and program development.
During the four years that Gabe was not working full-time for Youth Homes, he served as Youth Homes’ Mandt Trainer.
Gabe has now returned to his passion for working with youth and is excited to rejoin Youth Homes, where he looks forward to supporting the staff in their incredible work.
Bobi Grensten
Human Resources Manager
(406) 541-1655 // bgrensten@youthhomesmt.org
Bobi joined Youth Homes in 1999 as a youth counselor at the Susan Talbot Center 1, after graduating from the University of Montana with a B.A. in Psychology and minor in Human & Family Development. After a couple of years, life led Bobi and her husband to Great Falls for a decade, where they established a family of five. Bobi was excited to rejoin the Youth Homes team in 2011 at the Tom Roy Youth Guidance Home. The next decade brought experience as a Youth Counselor, Home Manager and Program Director. Opportunity presented itself in 2021 for Bobi to transition to the Youth Homes Corporate Office, where she is currently in the role of Human Resources Manager. In her free time Bobi is enjoying the moments with her family, traveling, playing at Flathead Lake, dancing at concerts and chasing sunsets.
Katherine Blaedow
Lead Clinical Staff and Family care therapist
Dan Fox Family Care Program
(406) 541-1667 // kblaedow@youthhomesmt.org
Katherine began her career at Youth Homes in 2022 as a Youth Counselor at the Susant Talbot Home for Girls. Since then, she has served many roles within the organizations including CSCT Therapist, Family Care Therapist, and Lead Clinical Staff. Katherine specializes in DBT, Trauma Focused-CBT and Circle of Security Parenting. While she is not a Montana native, she has been proud to call Missoula home since 2016. In her free time, Katherine loves to garden, crochet, puzzle, and dote on her cat, Henry.
Missoula Area:
Kelsey Adcock
lead clinical staff & family care therapist
(406) 541-1678 // kadcock@youthhomesmt.org
Kelsey began her career with Youth Homes in 2022. She serves as the CSCT Therapist at Lowell Elementary. Her experience includes Youth Case Management, Home Support Services, and managing Non-Profit Mental Health centers. She has training and background using DBT, CBT, Solution Focused, Strengths Based, and Trauma Informed Care.
Kelsey is a native Montanan, growing up in Missoula. She received her Bachelors degree from the University of Montana in Psychology with a minor in Human Family Development and Sociology. She received her Masters in Social Work from Walla Walla University: Wilma Hepker School of Social Work and Sociology with a focus in Child and Family Welfare.
In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and pets, cooking, gardening, and spending time outdoors.
Nathan Klette
lead clinical staff & family care therapist
(406) 721-2704 // nklette@youthhomesmt.org
Nathan began working for Youth Homes in 2014 as a Summer Day Program Coordinator at Francetich Children’s Home. After volunteering for Peace Corps-Madagascar from 2015-2017, Nathan returned to work at Francetich Children’s Home (now Sunrise) and began working at Talbot Boys Home as a Youth Counselor. Since 2021, Nathan has been a part of the Dan Fox Family Care Program as a CSCT Behavior Specialist at Lowell Elementary.
Nathan earned a Bachelor’s degree in Health and Human Performance with an emphasis in Community Health from the University of Montana. Currently, Nathan is working toward his Master of Social Work degree. Nathan is a Missoula native and considers the Rattlesnake Recreation Area to be a part of his backyard. During his spare time, Nathan enjoys spending time with his family, being outside, attending local athletics, and traveling.
Hannah Higgins
FAMILY CARE THERAPIST
(406) 541-1674 // hhiggins@youthhomesmt.org
Hannah earned her Masters in Social Work in May 2021, and is a Social Work Licensure Candidate (SWLC). Hannah began with Youth Home’s Dan Fox Family Care Program in June 2023. Her journey to social work began at the Poverello Center, which helped instill a passion for community and working with underserved populations. Hannah continued to do clinical social work at Partnership for Children, before transitioning to Youth Homes. She is trained in Crisis Intervention, Circle of Security Parenting, Child-Parent Psychotherapy, Emotional Focused Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and uses Expressive Therapy techniques. Hannah has her Perinatal Mental Health Certification (PMH-C) through Postpartum Support International. Hannah has a strong passion for art, and has been painting for most of her life. Through art, Hannah was able to explore and be curious about people, learning to appreciate, celebrate, and find beauty in difference. She uses this lens within her social work practice to walk alongside people within their experiences. In her free time, she also enjoys fishing, camping, walking, and spending time with family and friends.
Jennifer Knudsen
FAMILY CARE THERAPIST
(406) 541-1662 // jknudsen@youthhomesmt.org
Jennifer has resided in Montana over the last 20 years and received her Master of Social Work degree from the University of Montana before building her clinical career as a therapist for Youth Homes. Her professional experience includes therapeutic group care, case management, home support services, and adds diversity to her career as a leather craftsman for the equine backcountry travel industry as well. Jennifer has a strong background in attachment theory, internal family systems, and a passion for empowerment and strengths-based modalities. She utilizes a trauma-informed lens and collaborative approach while helping individuals and families build resiliency and recognize the strengths within themselves for true and lasting change. In her free time, Jen enjoys time with her children, family and friends, usually horseback riding, rafting, fishing, gardening, or snuggled up together for a family movie night with lots of homemade popcorn!
Brooklyn Robertson
FAMILY CARE THERAPIST
(406) 541-1671 // brobertson@youthhomesmt.org
Brooklyn is from Great Falls, MT and moved to Missoula, MT to attend college at the University of Montana. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. Brooklyn then worked in CSCT services at Frenchtown High School and Frenchtown Intermediate School. A year later she returned to the University of Montana to obtain her Master’s in Social Work degree. Brooklyn joined Youth Homes in August of 2022. Her therapeutic focus includes a strength-based, trauma-focused and person centered framework. Brooklyn incorporates evidence based techniques including cognitive behavior therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, psychoeducation and motivational interviewing. Brooklyn is trained to work with youth who struggle or have been affected by substance use. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, exploring the outdoors, cooking and spending time with family and friends.
Flathead Valley Area:
Lori Madden, MSW
Program Director
Flathead valley youth home (Kalispell)
(406) 755-4622 // lmadden@youthhomesmt.org
Lori was hired as a Therapeutic Youth Care Worker at the Flathead Youth Home in August 2003, and remained there until November 2011. In this capacity, Lori provided guidance, structure and security to at risk youth struggling with issues such as chemical dependency, familial relations and academics. She also provided case management for youth coming out of Correctional facilities and placed with foster families called Guide Homes. In November 2011, Lori was hired full-time at the Dan Fox Family Care Program. She wears several different hats, continuing to provide case management for the Guide Home Program, Family Support Services for struggling families in the community and Transitional Living Services for youth aging out of foster care. Lori’s office is located in Kalispell, MT and when she’s not at work, you will find her spending time with family, friends and her dog in the great outdoors.
Helena Area:
Deverie Kelley LCSW, LAC
Clinical Director
Dan Fox Family Care Program (Helena)
(406) 603-4151 // dkelley@youthhomesmt.org
Nycole Henes, LSCW
Lead Clinical Staff
Dan Fox Family Care Program (Helena)
(406) 603-4151 // nhenes@youthhomesmt.org
Nycole began her career with Youth Homes in 2010 while completing her undergraduate degree at The
University of Montana. She worked as a youth counselor, primarily at Talbot Home for Girls, for 6 years,
which sparked her passion for walking alongside Montana youth and their families as they heal from
trauma. Nycole took an extended break from social work to guide multi-day river trips through the
Missouri River Breaks and teach skiing before returning to complete her MSW at The University of
Montana. Through grad school and following graduation, she continued to work with Montana youth
and families in both in-patient and out-patient settings before returning to Youth Homes in 2023 as lead
clinical staff for two of the therapeutic homes. Nycole uses a person-centered, trauma responsive
approach and holds a strong belief that authentic relationship and connection are vital to healing.
Nycole is certified in DBT and enjoys learning about neuroscience and the brain, body connection. She is
a certified yoga teacher with emphasis in integrative somatics and energy medicine. She strives to bring
knowledge of the body to sessions to create a safe container where clients feel empowered to identify
and express their needs and emotions. In her free time, Nycole enjoys all things outdoors, hiking,
mountain running, being on the river, skiing as well as live music and enjoying the small joys of life.
Bill Neaves, B.A.
Program Director – Dan Fox Family Care Program
(406) 541-1664 // bneaves@youthhomesmt.org
Bill Neaves is the Program Director of the Dan Fox Family Care Program w/ Youth Homes in Missoula, MT. Bill began his Youth Homes career in 1993 working in the Talbot centers with boys and girls before he transitioned to the Dan Fox Family Care Program to support foster children and families towards permanency. Bill became the Director of the Guide Homes Program in the early 2000’s which focused on providing foster care for youth involved with the department of corrections. From 2007 to 2018, Bill was the Family Developer for Dan Fox, recruiting, screening, training and licensing therapeutic foster care families to provide homes for children and youth in need. In 2018, Bill began working with the Chafee Transitional Living Services program to assist youth who had exited or were at risk of aging out of the foster care system towards becoming stabilized and successful in their transition to adulthood. In 2022, Bill became the Director of Dan Fox. Bill’s favorite aspect of this job is working with his amazing co-workers and helping to ensure their needs are met and cared for as they continue to do the work they do in caring for the youth and families in our program. In Bill’s leisure time, he enjoys making music with his friends and bandmates around Western MT. Bill loves spending time with his family and loves the many activities MT has to offer with all of its scenic beauty.
Amanda Marshall
TLS MANAGER, POLSON
(406) 883-4370 // amarshall@youthhomesmt.org
Amanda was born and raised in Polson, Montana. She attended Carroll College and graduated in 2018. Before working at Youth Homes, Amanda worked as the Independent Living Counselor for youth experiencing homelessness in St. Cloud, MN. Amanda began working as a Transitional Living Services Manager in the spring of 2020 for Youth Homes. Amanda services Lake and Sanders Counties as well as Kalispell. When she is not at work she enjoys spending time with her family outdoors in the Mission Mountains.
Benita Chuey
TLS MANAGER, KALISPELL
(406) 241-8421 // bchuey@youthhomesmt.org
Bianey Caughlan
family developer & services coordinator
(406) 541-1663 // bcaughlan@youthhomesmt.org
As family developer, Bianey takes charge of recruiting, training, and licensing therapeutic foster parents, and finding homes for kids in need of families. As the services coordinator, she reviews the needs of families who need support to evaluate how Dan Fox can best serve them.
Bianey is a first-generation Montanan and American, raised in Rapelje, MT. She holds a bachelor’s in Social Work from the University of Montana, Missoula. Bianey first joined Youth Homes as a Social Work practicum student in 2019. In her free time, Bianey enjoys thrift shopping, food, visual and audio arts, the gym, and video games.
Heather Greer, MSW, SWLC
therapist-csct
Dan Fox Family Care Program
(406) 209-9756 // hgreer@youthhomesmt.org
Heather Greer is a CSCT Therapist at Lowell Elementary School. She holds a B.S. in Cell Biology and Neuroscience from Montana State University and earned her Master of Social Work from the University of Montana in 2025. Her professional experience includes neurofeedback, youth counseling and crisis intervention at Intermountain Residential in Helena, as well as home support services through her practicum with the Dan Fox Family Care program.
Heather’s therapeutic approach blends evidence-based and creative modalities, including trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), Circle of Security™, and motivational interviewing, alongside mindfulness, nature-based, and expressive arts therapy techniques.
Originally from Colorado, Heather has called Montana home for the past 18 years. In her free time, you’ll find her covered in clay in the ceramics studio, tending her garden, or hiking and camping with her husband, dog, and cat.
Tori Santoyo
csct behavior specialist
Dan Fox Family Care Program
(559) 535-2072 // tsantoyo@youthhomesmt.org
Tori moved to Missoula in 2020 to attend the University of Montana for her undergrad and has called it home ever since. She started working for Youth Homes in 2023 as a part time Youth Counselor at Susan Talbot Home for Girls while finishing up her B.A. in Psychology. In 2024 after she graduated, she switched roles and started working as a CSCT Behavior Specialist at Lowell Elementary. Tori is continuing her education and is currently attending an online program through Northwestern University, working towards a Master of Clinical Mental Health Counseling. In her free time Tori enjoys fishing and being outside with her fiance and dog, making sourdough bread and reading.
Hannah Boelman
TREATMENT PROGRAM DIRECTOR - PARTnership for children
(406) 829-6651 // hboelman@pfcmt.org
Hannah Boelman serves as the Treatment Program Director for Missoula Sunrise Children’s Home, part of Partnership for Children. In her role, she oversees the day-to-day operations of the home, supports staff development, and ensures a safe, consistent, and nurturing environment for the children in care. Hannah is passionate about building strong, supportive relationships and guiding both staff and children toward growth and healing.
With a background in trauma-informed care and a dedication to fostering healthy community living, Hannah brings integrity, compassion, and structured leadership to her work. She is committed to helping children learn how to build secure relationships and succeed in permanent family placements.
Outside of work, Hannah enjoys woodworking, hiking, and embracing the richness of the world around her. Guided by the belief that “every child deserves a childhood safeguarded from adult burdens,” she moves through life with a sense of gratitude and responsibility, offering what she can while learning from and being shaped by others in return.
Chris Carey
DEVELOPMENT Director
(406) 541-1649 // ccarey@youthhomesmt.org
Chris began his career with Youth Homes in 2006 working in the development department in the role of Marketing Manager. In 2023, he became Development Director. He enjoys putting his relationship building, interpersonal, creative skills to work in all facets of fundraising, event planning and execution, nonprofit technology, and marketing. Prior to joining Youth Homes’ Development Team, Chris filled marketing roles with other agencies in Montana and with the California Film Commission in Los Angeles, CA. When not working, Chris enjoys being outdoors running, mountain biking, skiing and hiking with his wife and children.
Allison Simko
DEVELOPMENT coordinator & grant writer
(406) 541-1665 // asimko@youthhomesmt.org
Allison joined Youth Homes in 2025. With a background that includes teaching English in rural Japan, she combines her passion for youth development with a deep interest in intercultural peacebuilding. In 2024 she earned an MS Conflict Analysis and MA in Security Studies from George Mason University and the University of Malta, respectively. As the Development Coordinator, Allison takes pride in bringing a relationship-centered and dialogue-informed approach to her work.
Outside the office, you can find Allison enjoying the sunshine at the river or checking out too many books from the library.
