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 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!
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.
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.
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.
My name is Deanna Duram and I am a fun, compassionate, trauma-informed therapist who is passionate about helping children and adolescents understand and process their emotions on a deeper level, and working alongside them to discover healthy ways to express their strong feelings. My approach with clients starts by getting to know them and establishing trust, then helping them to develop coping skills and tools for the difficulties they are experiencing. I have worked with individuals who have endured a variety of challenges and harm, including many forms of abuse, discrimination, harassment, bullying, and more.
I approach my work with individuals primarily from a cognitive-behavioral model, exploring how feelings and thoughts contribute to the behaviors we engage in, and developing skills to challenge unhelpful or inaccurate thoughts for better outcomes. I believe that each person I work with is their own unique being, with personal backgrounds, difficulties, and struggles. So, a tool that works for one person may not for another, but together, we can figure out what works best for them!
As a mother to two, I am passionate about helping youth who are struggling and offering hope for a better future. I am trained in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT). I received my BA in Psychology from the University of Montana in 2019 and returned to the University of Montana, earning my Masters of Social Work in 2023. I am currently a SWLC, and am working towards full licensure.
I work at Dan Fox with the Chafee program and provide transitional living services for current and former foster youth ages 14-21. I grew up in Alabama until finding Montana when I was 17. After graduating from UM in forestry, I took a side gig as relief staff at Talbot Home for Girls in 2000. I loved the work and Youth Homes as a whole. I became a mom and raised both my kids as a Youth Homes employee. I worked at Talbot for 11 years before leaving Youth Homes for a few years. When the TLS position opened up in 2015, I was happy to return to Youth Homes. I feel so lucky to work with the amazing teenagers I have met over my years as a Chafee provider. In my off time, I moonlight at the airport working for Delta and United, so if you like to fly first thing in the morning, you might see me out there. I try to spend as much of my free time outside floating, hiking or skiing with my family and my sidekick, Sadie the dog/coyote.
As humans we all inherently seek connection, so I believe that connection and relationships are two of the most important aspects of life. I am a therapist at the Dan Fox Family Care Program, working with children and families in the outpatient setting with primarily attachment-based approaches. I work with kids who have experienced trauma and/or are experiencing emotional disturbances due to a wide variety of situations. I aim to help them with regulation skills and work towards goals that will improve their life. I am a trauma-informed therapist, trained in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, that wants to walk with clients in the healing process and help them move forward with tools that will aid them as they grow, navigate their emotions, and develop relationships.
Hannah Higgins 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.
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 Missoula Sunrise Children’s Home) 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.
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!
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.
Deverie graduated from the University of Montana with bachelor’s degree in social work. She worked as a counselor at a residential treatment facility for emotionally disturbed youth prior to returning to the University of Montana to pursue her master’s degree in social work. Deverie is licensed as a clinical social worker and addictions counselor in Montana. Her experience includes outpatient individual and family therapy in a primary care setting, working with adults in an inpatient psychiatric hospital, working with teens and adults with substance use disorders in both an inpatient and outpatient setting, and working in a corrections environment. She is trained in cognitive behavioral therapy and trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy. She employs a strength based, solution focused approach to working with clients
Amanda Marshall 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.
P.O. Box 7616
Missoula, MT 59807-7616
Telephone: (406) 721-2704
Fax: (406) 721-0034
Tax ID #: 81-0331313
