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

Erin Gallob, MA

Counseling, Peer Specialist & Parent Partner

Counseling in DUI classes
Positive Youth Development Certification
Proficient in Spanish language, efficient & passionate multi-tasker

Carole McKelvey, MA LPCC PARENT PARTNER Addictions Specialist, Dynamic Attachment Specialist, EMDR Certification Trained in crisis prevention & stress management Nationally published author, family dynamics & attachments

Carole McKelvey, MA LPCC

Parent partner

Addictions Specialist, Dynamic Attachment Specialist, EMDR Certification
Trained in crisis prevention & stress management
Nationally published author, family dynamics & attachments

Non-Profit Management 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

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.

Barbara Wolfe - Secretary
Barbara is a Colorado native, growing up on a ranch in the Eastern Plains of Colorado. She and her husband made the move to Montrose in 1989. She feels blessed to have her three sons in Montrose with her 10 Grandchildren. She really enjoys the Delta community. Volunteering and being a part of Delta is a fulfilling experience. In her spare time she enjoys tracing family genealogy, spending time with family and friends.

John Coombe - Member
John is a retired attorney and former partner at Holland & Hart, the largest law firm in the western U. S. He is a former Vice Chancellor for Intellectual Property and Events at University of Denver. He is also a former Board Member of the Challenge Foundation and Third Way Center (larger non profits focusing on troubled or disadvantaged youth). He lives in Paonia and enjoys running an Ice Cream empire known as Ollie's Ice Cream.

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."

Others:
Raul Olivia
Mary Waddington