Cora Lowry has been with the Human Service Agency since 2020 and is the C.A.R.E. Service Coordinator.

Education: Cora attended the University of Sioux Falls where she received her Bachelors of Arts Degree, specializing in Social Work. She then received her Masters of Social Work through the University of Denver.

Background/Experience: Cora is currently a Licensed Certified Social Worker eligible to engage in private, independent practice. Cora is a part of the Codington County Treatment Court team. Prior to becoming the C.A.R.E. Services Coordinator, she provided individual therapy at the main agency for four years. Cora is trained in Accelerated Resolution Therapy.

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

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.

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.

Abby Weiss joined Human Service Agency in January 2020. In June 2024, she began working as the Programming Specialist for the C.A.R.E. program.

Education: Abby graduated from Mount Marty University in Watertown, South Dakota, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. She is currently enrolled in the School of Social Work program at Louisiana State University and will complete her Master's in Social Work in the spring of 2025.

Background/Experience: Before joining C.A.R.E., Abby was a Direct Support Professional at New Horizons in the Community Services department for four years. In that role, she assisted individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities and supported those living in the community.

Activities: Outside of work and school, Abby enjoys spending quality time with her family. She is also keen on being creative, listening to podcasts, and traveling.

Charlie Ward has been with HSA since 2018 and is currently in a “C.A.R.E. Case Manager” position. She has also worked as a “Conflict Free Case Manager” for the New Horizons Division of HSA.

Education: Charlie received her bachelors in 1989 from Northern State University in Sociology and Community Service with minors in Business and Gerontology. Currently, she is working on her MSW from the University of South Dakota and plans to graduate in December next year.

Background/Experience: Prior to HSA Charlie worked at Advance as a Residential Supervisor and Young Adults in Transition instructor. Charlie is a retired Nursing Home Administrator and served elders in both South Dakota and Colorado for 27 years. During that time she served on the Board of Directors for South Dakota Health Care Association for nearly a decade to advocate for elders' rights as well as Medicare and Medicaid funding and reform.

Activities: Outside of work Charlie enjoys time with family, cooking, reading and being active in her community.

Heather Stricherz has been with the Human Service Agency since 2010 and is currently clinical director of behavioral health. She sees all ages of clients and has been trained in Accelerated Resolution Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Moral Reconation Therapy, Functional Family Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality. When working with children and families, Heather utilizes play-based and behavioral interventions along with assisting families with accessing further supports. Heather provides therapy in individual, family, and group formats. She also provides supervision for all levels of licensure for social work and counseling. She is a board approved supervisor for the South Dakota Board of Examiners for Counselors and Marriage and Family Therapists. Heather oversees Mental Health Juvenile Justice services as well as working with Diversion.

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: Heather has worked with many programs within the agency including New Horizons; Serenity Hills; CARE; Children, Youth, and Family Services; and Outpatient services. She provides crisis services while on-call and QMHP evaluations. Heather is a Licensed Certified Social Worker eligible to engage in Private, Independent Practice and a Qualified Mental Heather Professional.

Activities: In her spare time, Heather enjoys spending time with her husband and son and their cat and four dogs, listening to podcasts, reading, gardening, and diamond painting. She is also an instructor at Mount Marty University and teaches experimental methods, memory and cognition, and health psychology.

Jamie Block has been with the Human Service Agency since 2019 and is a Mental Health Case Manager. She provides services to adolescents and adults, facilitates adolescent MRT group, and co-facilitates the adolescent DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) Group.

Education: Jamie received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Human Service from Mount Marty College in 2018 and her Master of Social Work degree from the University of South Dakota in 2022.

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. She has completed training for DBT, MRT, Advanced MRT, MRT Trauma training and Accelerated Resolution Therapy. She previously provided counseling services at the High School and was the Systems of Care Coordinator.

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.

Mary Claire Bauer has been working with the Human Service Agency since 2022, works as a Licensed Clinical Therapist and Master's Level Mental Health Case Manager. She is trained in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), and Clinical Yoga for Mental Health.

Education: Mary Claire has a Master's degree from Walden University in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, as well as a Master's Degree from South Dakota State University in Family and Community Services.

Background/Experience: Mary Claire has previous experience working with youth as a 4-H Youth Program Advisor. She has been working with youth and adult clients since her start here at HSA.

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

Brittany Macks has been with HSA since 2023 and is currently a Mental Health Case Manager and Systems of Care Coordinator. She specializes in working with children and families, using methods such as play, somatic exploration, and cognitive functioning.

Education: Brittany received her bachelor's degree from South Dakota State University in 2017. She received her Master's Degree in Clinical Mental Health from Grand Canyon University in 2024.

Background/Experience:Prior to working at HSA, Brittany worked for an organization called Girls Inc. as a program specialist. Additionally, she completed her practicum with Rapid City Counselors, specializing in seeing children utilizing play therapy methods. She is a member of the National Honor Epsilon Society, Psi Chi Honor Society, Alpha Chi Honor Society, and the American Counseling Association.

Activities: In her free time, Brittany enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and dogs, reading, traveling, embroidery, and enjoying nature when the weather is warm!

Elycia Anderson has been with HSA since 2024 and is currently in a "Masters Level Mental Health Case Manager" position. Traditionally and in the past she has specialized in trauma and co-occurring.

Education: Elycia received her bachelors in 2020 from Southwest Minnesota State University in Justice Administration. She took the certificate program for addictions in 2022 and became a LAC in 2023, graduated with her MSW from the University of South Dakota in 2024 and has obtained her LCSW.

Background/Experience: Prior to HSA Elycia worked in residential substance use treatment at the Glory House in South Dakota, providing group and individual services to both residential and outpatient clients. She currently provides co-occurring support in her position in the Army National Guard.

Activities: Outside of work Elycia enjoys spending time with her animals, hunting, fishing, and reading.

Kayla Wellnitz has been with the Human Service Agency since January of 2023 as the Outreach Case Manager. She has since transitioned into the Mental Health Case Manager position.

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.

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 Sivertson started her career at HSA working in New Horizons as a Direct Support Professional, then as as a Case Manager for Serenity Hills. Since August of 2022, she is currently serving as an Addiction Counselor Trainee and Community Health Worker at Serenity Hills.

Education: Ruby graduated from LATC with a Community Health Worker associates degree and is currently pursuing her Addiction Counselor degree at USD online.

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, woodworking and wood burning 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 has been Case Manager since 2022.

Education: Cassie graduated from Mount Marty University with a Bachelors of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice with a Minor in Psychology 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 is currently in practicum and is approaching internship as 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. Shannon is currently enrolled in the Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at Antioch University New England, where he has received certification in Trauma counseling.

Background: In addition to his academic career, Shannon has received certification in Basic, as well as Advanced Moral Recognition Therapy (MRT), Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST), and Restoration Training. 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, paint, and work in the garden.