Organization and Staff

Families Plus Staff and Board Members

Clinical Staff

Brenda K Holland, PHD

Executive director, psychologist

Director and Founder of the Families Plus program
Licensed Clinical Psychologist with 30 years of experience
Licensed Certified Addictions Counselor III
Specializes in the treatment of children and adolescents

More About Brenda

Susan Simianer, MA, LPC

LICENSED PROFESSIONAL COUNSELOR, SYSTEM OF CARE LEADER, PARENT PARTNER DIRECTOR

Master's Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Counseling for over 8 years
Provides trauma-based therapy for women, adolescents and children
Therapy for families & children utilizing evidence-based practices & wraparound services

Lorri Wesson, MA, LPC

Licensed Professional counselor, system of care leader

Bachelor's in Counseling Psychology, Mesa State College
Master's in Counseling Psychology, Regis University
24 years experience in the Mental Health Field, including work with youth in Residential Care facilities, Community Mental Health, and Integrated Care
Specializing in Behavior Problems, Anxiety, Depression, Trauma

Megan Chaney, MA, LPCC

Licensed Professional Councilor Candidate

MA in Community Counseling, Adams State University
Graduated in May 2020, Magna Cum Lada
Previously 5 years experience in Secondary Education as a high school science teacher and special education teacher
Two Years counseling experience

Twila Brown

Parent Partner

Gianna Jensen

Parent Partner / Outreach coordinator

Gianna worked as a preschool teacher after highschool, and since has been seeking a role where she can make a difference in the lives of children in the community. She started at Families Plus in July of 2022, and is very excited about this program! Since her start, she has also taken on some Outreach responsibilities.

Lupita Portillo

Parent PArtner

Lupita's personal goal has always been to help people in any way possible. She previously worked at a preschool
for two years while pursuing a career in early childhood education. Lupita states: "The experience I was
able to gain in those two years was a privilege, but I wanted to do more to help families. I heard
about Families Plus and fell in love with the program." Having a bilingual team member has helped us communicate more efficiently with a wider variety of clients, and we're excited to have her as a Parent Partner.

Non-Profit Supporting Staff

Bethany Anderson

Director of Finance and Outreach

B.S. Business Administration and Accounting
Responsible for accounts receivable, accounts payable and payroll.
Experienced accountant and small business owner

Jan Prosser

Billing Specialist

Sonya Coron

Data Specialist

Sonya is the data specialist at Families Plus. She started working here after wanting a career change where she felt she was helping her community more. Sonya works behind the scenes to keep the operational side of Families Plus running smoothly.

Jordan Miller

Office Administrator

Families Plus Board Members

Dr. John VanDenBerg - Consultant to the Board
Dr. VanDenBerg is a volunteer consultant to the Families Plus Board of Directors. He is a pioneer in the development and improvement of the wrap-around process (obtainable and continued medical, dental, and mental health resources for at-risk children living in poverty). Programs using this concept now reach over a half-million people worldwide. He has consulted with federal, state, and local governmental agencies for child welfare, juvenile justice, mental health education, and developmental disabilities. Dr. VanDenBerg’s focus is to help Families Plus assist communities in Delta County to develop and to use more informal resources and strengths-based planning methods when developing integrated individualized service and support plans.

Carol Hickam - President
Carol worked with children as a Special Education Director and Psychologist in schools and in private practice. She has served on the School, Library and Pre-School Boards in Clear Creek County; been a Trainer of Trainers for the Colorado Department of Education; Chaired the Continuing Education Committee for the Colorado Society of School Psychologists; and was selected Teacher of the Year in Jefferson County. Now she is enjoying retirement in the North Fork where she can be part of her grandchildren's lives. She loves family time, walking her two dogs, snowshoeing, reading, camping, crafting and playing with friends. She volunteers at Families Plus and the Crawford School and sings in the Threshold Choir.

Dave Armlovich - Vice President
Dave is a retired Forest Service Resource Manager who began working with Families Plus as its Webmaster in 2008. He has volunteered for Big Brothers, and Meals on Wheels. Dave firmly believes that volunteering for agencies that promote community well-being is an important aspect of everyone’s life. He adds, “I have come to understand the importance of having an organization like Families Plus that promotes the mentoring of families and children that need extra help.” He enjoys many outdoor activities including hiking, skiing, and rafting. He is also learning to play the guitar.

Al Hale - Treasurer
With a mechanical engineering degree and extensive skills in strategic planning, Al brings a wealth of experience to the Families Plus board of directors. After retiring as Director of Operations for several manufacturing plants he now serves as Treasurer for a fire protection district. He has also served as a firefighter, fire truck mechanic, and engineered a lake aeration system. As a father and grandfather, he can empathize with families in Delta County communities who are struggling to raise their children amid difficult economic and emotional situations. He adds, “I feel my business background would be useful for helping the Families Plus organization to continue to grow.” Al enjoys traveling to new places, camping, hiking, and ATVing.

Karen Benson
Karen, formally an elementary school teacher shifted to substitute teaching and tutoring while she raised her young family but remained active in education by volunteering on various school committees. Karen is business -minded she owned a dress boutique and is currently working with her husband in their family business, Benson Brothers LLC as the financial manager and bookkeeper for over 40 years. As a local business woman, she actively promotes her community through many organizations such as the Chamber of Commerce. Karen became involved with Families Plus in 2011 as a youth mentor and has continued that relationship to this day. Karen enjoys traveling, motorcycling, time outdoors, crafting, concerts, dancing and most importantly spending time with her grandchildren. Karen is passionate about helping children and young adults. "I strongly believe that Families Plus is a much needed organization and a true blessing to families in our community."

Tamara Queen
Tamara graduated from Colorado State University in 2003 with a bachelors degree in social work. After graduating, she worked at a domestic violence agency that provided support to victims of domestic violence through counseling and a transitional living center. After taking a brief hiatus to travel Europe, Tamara resumed her social work career by working for Delta County as a child protection caseworker for six years and then transitioning to Ariel Clinical Services where she worked as a supervisor for their foster care and adult services programs. After being in the child welfare system for a total of fifteen years, she left Ariel to pursue her passion for fitness and nutrition. She is now a nutrition coach with Atlas Nutrition and works part time for her family's business. Tamara is excited about her role as a Families Plus board member as it provides a different avenue to support the families in our community and to help improve the lives of future generations.