Alice Carlson has been with the Human Service Agency since 2002 and is currently a Residential Specialist Supervisor. She assists with independent living skills for consumers that have a mental illness.

Education: Alice graduated from Waverly High school in 1979.

Background/Experience: Alice has spent the past 17 years working with individuals with a mental illness.

Activities: Outside of work, Alice enjoys camping, playing cards, and spending time with her grandchildren.

Lori Enstad has been at the Human Service Agency since 1989. She is currently our CARE Team Member-Vocational Specialist. She assists clients in finding a good job match and then provides clients with supports to maintain employment.

Education: Lori received her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Northern State College in 1980.

Background/Experience: Lori has worked with many local employers through the years. She has attended many vocational trainings offered through the SD Division of Rehabilitation Services, the USD Center for Disabilities and Kenfield Consulting. Lori is a Certified Employment Support Professional and is a member of the Mayor's Committee for People with Disabilities.

Activities: Outside of her work, Lori enjoys spending time with her family, especially her new granddaughter.

Lynn Amdahl has been with the Human Service Agency since 1992 and is the CARE Coordinator specializing in providing experienced services in the areas of Serious Mental Illness, PTSD, life development and aging, grief, depression and anxiety.

Education: Lynn obtained her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of South Dakota in 1988 and her Masters of Social Work from the University of Nebraska at Omaha in 1990.

Background/Experience: Prior to her work at HSA, Lynn worked in hospital based medical social work. She is a Certified Social Worker licensed for private independent practice and qualified mental health professional. She has 27 years of experience at HSA and is experienced working with mental health and addiction issues including co-occurring illness. Lynn is a member of the Critical Incident Stress Management team and was a 2013 recipient of the Watertown Mayor’s Distinguished Service Award.

Activities: Outside of her work, Lynn enjoys traveling.

Kayla Pinkert Kayla has been with the Human Service Agency since January of 2023 as the Representative Payee/Care Team member.

Education: Kayla graduated from South Dakota State University in December of 2021 with a Bachelors of Science degree in Psychology with a minor in Biology. She is currently pursuing her Clinical Mental Health and Marriage and Family Counseling licenses at SDSU and plans to pursue medical school for Psychiatry.

Background/Experience: Kayla spent the last 4 years working within the hospital setting as both a Patient Care Technician and Phlebotomist. Having also obtained her Certified Nursing Degree, she has spent many days working with all ages from newborns to end of life care. She also has experience with public speaking skills having been in management for a call center and President of the Milbank Area ToastMasters club.

Activities: Outside of work, Kayla enjoys riding motorcycle, spending time with her husband, Jacob, and son, Dexter, hiking, playing with her cats and husky, watching horror movies and historical documentaries, and splurging on anything Halloween related.

Saraya Bronson has been with the Human Service Agency since June of 2021 and is the Program Specialist for the C.A.R.E. Program.

Education: Saraya graduated from South Dakota State University in May of 2021 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology. She is pursuing her Master of Social Work from the University of South Dakota and will complete the program in 2024.

Background/Experience: Saraya worked at the Transitional Residence for three months before coming to the C.A.R.E. Program. She has experience working with adults with a mental illness.

Activities: Outside of her work, Saraya enjoys traveling, playing games, and spending time with her friends and family.

Tanya Nelson has been with the HSA this time for 2 years as the CARE RN. She previously worked at HSA as a Med Transport and then as a Case Manager.

Education: Tanya graduated from USD with her Associate Registered Nursing degree in May of 2014 and in May of 2012 with her Associates Licensed Practical Nursing from LATI. In 2004 she graduated from MMC with a Bachelor’s Degree in Behavioral Science and a minor in Criminal Justice.

Background/Experience: Tanya had worked in a variety of roles as a nurse from inpatient at PLH, to home care for both the elderly as well as health compromised children requiring home nurses to her current position within the Human Service Agency. This role has incorporated some of her past schooling and learning as mental health and addiction was not an area she had done much with prior to come to HSA.

Activities: Outside of work Tanya enjoys watching any sports her children are involved in. Her daughter currently plays softball for DWU and in the summer her son, youngest daughter and soon to be daughter in law play recreational softball. Her son is going to get baseball back up and running in Miller so she is excited to watch as he takes on the role of coaching youth baseball.

Amanda Ulmer has been with the Human Service Agency since 2019 as a Mental Health Case worker. She specializes in children, adolescents, families, and adults with depression or anxiety.

Education: Amanda received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Behavioral Science from Mount Marty College in 2005. She is currently working toward her Master in Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree from South Dakota State University.

Background/Experience: In addition to taking master level coursework, Amanda is a member of the American Counseling Association, American Mental Health Counseling Association, and Chi Sigma Iota.

Activities: Outside of work, Amanda enjoys spending time with her children, working out, running, reading, and hanging out with her friends.

Heather Tobin has been with the Human Service Agency since 2010 and is currently Clinical Director of Behavioral Health. She specializes in Children, Youth, and Family Therapy as well as Outpatient Therapy. Heather works to improve parenting skills and utilizing play-based and behavioral interventions along with assisting families in accessing further supports.

Education: Heather received her Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Northern State University in 2002 and her Master in Social Work from the University of South Dakota in 2017.

Background/Experience: In 2011, Heather began working with individuals with severe mental illness through the CARE program providing case management and group programming. In 2015, she started working with children, adolescents, and families. She is a Licensed Certified Social Worker as well as a Qualified Mental Health Professional.

Activities: In her spare time, Heather enjoys spending time with her son, reading, podcasts, documentaries, and swimming.

JoAnne Frey has been with Human Service Agency since 2019 and is the Medical Staff Coordinator at Serenity Hills. She's responsible for all medical aspects of the detoxification day to day operations and health and medical aspects of the Halfway House Program. She also manages, supervises, and assigns tasks to med staff.

Education: JoAnne graduated from USD with a degree in Nursing.

Background/Experience: JoAnne years ago, worked for the Human Service Agency for New Horizons as an Employment Services Job Coach for 5 years. JoAnne then returned to college to complete her nursing degree and worked for Prairie Lakes Hospital for 18 years as an RN.

Activities: Outside of work JoAnne enjoys exercising, reading, doing puzzles and spending time with her husband Matt, daughter Haley and dog Kash.

Jamie Block has been with the Human Service Agency since 2019 and is a Mental Health Case Manager. She works with children, youth, families, and adults and facilitates the youth Moral Recognition Therapy group. She also provides services to youth at Watertown High School and is a Systems of Care coordinator.

Education: Jamie received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Human Service from Mount Marty College in 2018. She is currently working towards her Master of Social Work degree from the University of South Dakota.

Background/Experience: Jamie has previously worked at New Horizons supporting adults with intellectual disabilities and was a member of the Behavior Support Committee and also provided case management. Jamie has also spent time assisting in various ways at the Beacon Center and has taken Question/Persuade/Refer/Treat and Suicide Risk Assessment and Management Training.

Activities: Outside of her work, Jamie enjoys reading, music, spending time with her family, and anything to do with nature.

Debra Griffith has been with the Human Service Agency since 2020 and is a Master Level Mental Health Case Manager. Debra specializes in advocating for and working with diverse individuals that include neurodiversity, gender diversity, and sexual diversity. They work with children, adolescents, adults, and families; utilizing play-based interventions with all ages and all communication abilities.

Education: Debra received their Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice and Spanish from the University of South Dakota in 2002. They completed their Master of Science degree in Counseling and Human Development specializing in Clinical Mental Health Counseling in 2020.

Background/Experience: Debra has been working with neurodiverse and differently abled individuals since 2013, teaching employment skills. In addition to Clinical Mental Health, they completed all coursework toward attaining certification for play therapy. Debra is a member of the American Counseling Association, South Dakota Counseling Association, and the Association for Play Therapy.

Activities: Outside of work, Debra enjoys coaching youth soccer, doing research, hiking, and spending time outdoors.

Jennifer Rudebusch has been with the Human Service Agency since 2019 as a Program Specialist with the CARE Team.

Education: Jennifer received her Bachelor of Science degree in Human Service Counseling from Wayne State College in 2018. She is currently working towards her Master of Clinical Mental Health degree from Wayne State College.

Background/Experience: Prior to her work at HSA, Jennifer worked at a dual-diagnosis, substance abuse and mental health treatment facility for women in Norfolk, NE.

Activities: Outside of her work, Jennifer enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and her dog, Nova.

Cora Lowry has been with the Human Service Agency since 2020 and is a Mental Health Case Manager

Education: Cora attended the University of Sioux Falls where she received her Bachelor of Arts Degree, specializing in Social Work. She recently completed school at the University of Denver for her Masters of Social Work, specializing in Mental Health and Trauma. Cora is currently working on getting licensed as a LCSW.

Background/Experience: Cora is currently licensed as a Licensed Social Worker. Prior to her work at the Human Service Agency, Cora was a Prevention Coordinator with the Boys and Girls Club in Watertown where she taught prevention curriculum to the youth who attended the Boys and Girls Club. Cora has also volunteered with NAMI for about one year.

Activities: Outside of her work, Cora enjoys spending time with her family and friends and working on craft projects.

Mary Claire Bauer has been with the Human Service Agency is 2022 and works at a Systems of Care Coordinator and a Mental Health Case Manager.

Education: Mary Claire attended South Dakota State University for her M. S. in Family and Community Services and is close to the completion of her M. S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Walden University. She is also a member of Chi Sigma Iota – Omega Zeta Chapter.

Background/Experience: Mary Claire previous worked for SDSU Extension as the 4-H Youth Program Advisor for Kingsbury and Hamlin Counties. Through her previous employment she would on multiple mental health initiatives such as Farm and Rural Mental Health Awareness and Mental Health First Aid. She is currently certified to teach Youth Mental Health First Aid.

Activities: Outside of work, Mary Claire enjoys time with her family and friends. She also enjoys outside work such as gardening, hunting, and fishing. She also enjoys crafting.

Deborah Hamer has been with the Human Service Agency since 1996 and is the Coordinator at Serenity Hills where she works with residents experiencing co-occurring disorders including mental health and addiction to include withdrawal.

Education: Deb graduated from Western Area Vo-Tech with an Associate’s degree in Business Administration. She then completed medical and psychology course work at Sayre Jr. College in OK and more recently South Dakota State University. She completed course work necessary to become a Licensed Addiction Counselor from the University of South Dakota.

Background/Experience: Deb has spent nearly 30 years working in the mental health and addiction field. Prior to coming to the Human Service Agency she worked in Intensive Outpatient Treatment, Aftercare, Adolescent Prevention and DUI Class. She worked with adolescents and adults. Deb has been employed at the Human Service Agency for 23 years as an addictions counselor, Coordinator of Addictions Services and for the past 10 years she has been Coordinator of Serenity Hills Halfway House and Detox Programs. Deb is a Licensed Addictions Counselor, Nationally Certified Gambling Counselor II and an Internationally Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor. She has experience working with clients of all ages, including families and group counseling. At Serenity Hills she completes admissions for the halfway house, supervises CD counselors, Medical Staff and Transportation Personnel along with facilitating Addictions Groups and doing Individual Counseling. She has worked in both the Outpatient and Inpatient settings. Deb is a member of the South Dakota Board of Addiction and Prevention Professionals, the International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium, a Certified South Dakota Public Safety DUI Program Instructor and Trainer.

Activities: Outside of her work, Deb enjoys spending time with her family, gardening, camping and riding motorcycles.

Ruby Reis started her career at HSA working in New Horizons as a Direct Support Professional. She now works at Serenity Hills as a Case Manager and Community Health Worker.

Education: Ruby graduated from LATC with a Community Health Worker associates degree and is planning on furthering her education in Addictions Counseling.

Background/Experience: Ruby has experience with people of all ages from young adults to geriatrics, dealing with addiction, dementia, and other mental health disorders.

Activities: In her free time Ruby enjoys crocheting, quilting, sewing, home renovation projects and all things arts and crafts. She also enjoys spending time with her husband, two sons, and two dogs.

Cassie Swedeen has worked at Serenity Hills since fall of 2020, starting as Medical Personal and now Case Manager.

Education: Cassie will graduate from Mount Marty University with a Bachelors of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice with a Minor in Psychology in December of 2022.

Background/Experience: Cassie has experience working with all ages ranging from working at an in home daycare, to a nursing home and in the most recent years working with adults coping with addiction and mental health.

Activities: Outside of work Cassie enjoys spending time with family, friends, going to the lake, and Jeeping/rock crawling in the hills or mountains.

Amber Hughes has been with the HSA since 2011. She is a Registered Nurse and the Medical Personnel Supervisor at Serenity Hills. Amber oversees all medical aspects of the halfway house, detox, and safe room. She is passionate about the clients we serve and helping them to achieve their goals for a better life.

Education: Graduated from Lake Area Tech with Med/Fire Rescue Diploma in 2012. Practical Nursing Diploma in 2013. General Studies at USD in 2018 and earned Registered Nursing degree from LATC in 2020. Certifications include Basic Life Support, Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Pediatric Advanced Life Support from American Heart Association and Trauma Nurse Core Course from Emergency Nurses Association.

Background/Experience: 11+ years working with HSA at Serenity Hills. Amber has worked every shift and position in the medical staff starting as an EMT in 2011. Her last 2+ years were spent working at Prairie Lakes Hospital in the Emergency Room and still currently PRN.

Activities: Travelling as much as possible, spending time with my family, reading about and watching true crime documentaries.

Shannon Crosby has been with the Human Service Agency since 2022 and is currently a Mental Health Case Manager.

Education: Shannon attended Grand Canyon University where he received his Bachelor of Science in Behavioral Health, specializing in Trauma work. He is currently enrolled in the Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at Antioch University New England, where he received certification in Trauma counseling and is currently working toward certification in Addiction counseling.

Background: In addition to his master level coursework, Shannon is currently a member of the American Counseling Association, Chi Sigma Iota, The National Society of Collegiate Scholars, and Alpha Chi National College Honor Society.

Experience: Prior to his work at the Human Service Agency, Shannon was the Batterer Intervention and Prevention Program Group Facilitator for Wac’ang’a Inc., as well as a 9-1-1 Dispatch Team Member for the Roberts County Sheriff’s Department.

Activities: Outside of work and school, Shannon likes to travel with his wife, listen to live music, and work in the garden.