Bismarck Staff Directory
Melanie Heitkamp, Executive Director, 701-255-6909 ext. 105, macmel57@mac.com
Melanie Heitkamp has been the Executive Director of Youthworks/Mountain Plains Youth Services since 1997. Prior to assuming those duties she worked as Program Manager for the agency. She has been with Youthworks since 1987. Before joining Youthworks she worked for Mercer/McLean County Social Services as the Social Work Supervisor for 7 years. She is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW). She has her Master’s Degree from the University of North Dakota. She has received Certification in Conflict Resolution, Community Intervention Support Groups and the Philadelphia Child Guidance Institute Structural Family Therapy. She completed the Impact Institutes Leadership Advanced North Dakota training. She has extensive experience in family therapy, individual counseling and group work. She also conducts training in Anger Management skills and Mentoring.
Doug Herzog, Development Director, 701-255-6909 ext. 103, dherzog@mac.com
Lauren Bosch, Licensed Teacher, 701-255-6909 ext. 104, bosch_yworks@midconetwork.com
Lauren Bosch is a Bismarck native and has worked for the agency since 1994. He is a graduate of Moorhead State University with a major in Social Studies in Secondary Education and holds a North Dakota teaching license. He has experience with a number of programs at the agency and currently serves as the Program Manager for all of the school-based programs (Turnabout, Out-of-School Suspension, and Day Report) as well as the Short-Term Care and Assessment Center. He also is the Project Director for the AmeriCorps program.
Mark Heinert, LSW, 701-255-6909 ext. 106, heinert_yworks@midconetwork.com
Mark Heinert is the Program Manager of the Youthworks Transitional Living programs. He has been a licensed social worker since 1991, and has been with Youthworks since 1996. Mark has been active with both the state and local homeless coalitions, serving two terms as the president of the Missouri Valley Coalition for Homeless People, Inc. Mark has previous professional experience in child welfare, with developmentally disabled adults, and as a rural social worker.
Dierdra Horner, LSW, 701-255-6909 ext. 102, dierdra_yworks@midconetwork.com
Dierdra Horner is a Licensed Certified Social Worker with her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Mary. Dierdra has been employed with Youthworks for nine years. She has had 18 years of experiences working with at risk youth and families in a residential group home setting and early on prevention. Dierdra currently works as the Diversion Program Coordinator and provides services and crisis intervention to youth and families referred by the Juvenile Court in the Bismarck office. Her role includes assessment, planning, case management, individual counseling and family mediation and referral services. The intent is to work with the families to keep youth in their home and community. In addition, Dierdra has extensive experience facilitating school support groups; including but not limited to, drug/alcohol prevention, general issues faced by teenage girls today, and an issues group for Native American Youth. Dierdra is the Coordinator for the Anger Management groups held in the community. Dierdra serves on the Bismarck-Mandan area Crisis Team and the North Dakota Coalition for Girls.
Betty Reineke, Administrative Assistant, 701-255-6909 ext. 100, youthworks@midconetwork.com
Betty Reineke has been employed with Youthworks since March 2000. She has 20+ years experience as an Administrative Assistant. Betty spent the first 18 years of her life in ND and moved to NY after graduating from Mandan High School. While in NY she worked as a Nanny, Birthday Party Assistant, as well as, a Mommy & Me helper at Whipper Snappers. Betty was employed with a Saturn dealership during her last years before returning home to ND. She is the League Secretary for the Bumpers and Bantams Youth Bowling Leagues at Midway Lanes. She also plays an active role in her church.
Emily Yanish, LPC, 701-255-6909 ext. 110, eyanish_yworks@midconetwork.com
Emily Yanish is a Licensed Professional Counselor. She received her undergraduate degree from St. Olaf College in 2003, and her Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology with an emphasis on Marriage and Family Counseling from the University of St. Thomas in 2007. Emily currently works as the Runaway Program Coordinator in the Bismarck office and provides services to runaway and homeless youth and families, including case management, advocacy, referrals, and individual and family counseling. In addition, Emily coordinates Bismarck’s Short Term Care and Assessment Center, including the Shelter Care and Attendant Care programs, and supervises the Peer Mentoring program. Emily has been employed with Youthworks since December 2007.
Anita Tipton, LSW, 701-255-6909 ext. 101, anita_yworks@midconetwork.com
Anita is a Licensed Social Worker with a Bachelor of Science from the University of Mary. She has been employed with Youthworks since the Spring of 2008. She was previously employed as a case worker for Community Action and as a residential supervisor for H.I.T.
Sheila Lindgren, LSW, 701-255-6909 ext. 112, lindgren_yworks@midconetwork.com
Sheila Lindgren graduated in 2003 from the University of Mary with a Bachelors Degree in Social Work. Shortly after graduation, she obtained her LSW. Sheila has worked with Adult Protection Services at WCHSC before her employment with Youthworks in 2008. Sheila currently does Independent Living in the Transitional Living Program at Youthworks.
Royce Irwin, LCSW, 701-255-6909 ext.122, royce_yworks@midconetwork.com
Royce Irwin, MSW, LCSW, attended University of Mary for his bachelor’s degree in social work with a minor in addiction and then went on to get his masters at University of North Dakota. Royce currently resides in Bismarck, ND with his family. He has two children a boy and girl. He was raised on the TAT-MHA Nation. Royce is the Program Coordinator at Youthworks for the Youth Cultural Program (YCAP). YCAP is a juvenile justice prevention program to prevent youth from entering or further penetrating the juvenile justice system.
Robert Fuller, Teacher, 701-255-6909 ext. 120, fuller_yworks@midconetwork.com
Robert Fuller serves as the teacher for Youthworks and leads the education component of the Out of School Suspension and Day Report programs. Robert is a Licensed Teacher with a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Mary. Robert started with Youthworks in August of 2009 and has teaching experience in Bismarck/Mandan as well as Omaha, NE. Prior to joining the Youthworks team, Robert served as the Manager of the Bismarck Snap Fitness Health Clubs and still works part-time as a personal trainer. Robert is a ND State Powerlifting champion and is nationally ranked.
Amy Jacobson, LSW, 701-255-6909 ext. 107, jacobson_yworks@midconetwork.com
Amy Jacobson is the social worker for the Out-of-School Suspension and Turnabout programs. She has been employed with Youthworks since 2009. She received her undergraduate social work degree from Minot State University in 2009. Amy has previous experience facilitating Family Group conferences for at-risk youth and their families.
Jeanette Gravseth, Accountant, 701-255-6909 ext. 111, jeanette_yworks@midconetwork.com
Lynn Fischer, Data Processing Coordinator, 701-255-6909 ext. 114, lfischer_yworks@midconetwork.com
Lynn Fischer has been employed with Youthworks since April 2008. She attended Bismarck State College and North Dakota State University. She has 12+ years experience as Administrative Assistant, bookkeeping and income tax preparation.
Brenda Lipp, Family Counselor, 701-255-6909
Kay Karnik, Family Counselor, 701-255-6909
Kay Karnik, a licensed social worker and licensed professional clinical counselor with 38 years of experience, recently joined Youthworks and is providing individual and family counseling and case management services for the Day Report Program. She also provided family counseling services through the Youthworks Family COOP for the last two years. Kay received her BA in Social Work and MA in Counseling at the University of North Dakota. Prior to joining Youthworks she worked in a variety of settings to include hospitals and social service agencies.
Rebecca Doll, Family Counselor, 701-255-6909
Phil Kambeitz, Group Facilitator/Educator, 701-255-6909
Nikki Binegar, Senior Youth Worker, 701-255-6909 ext. 115, binegar_yworks@midconetwork.com
Nikki Binegar has a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Secondary Education from the University of Mary and a Bachelor’s of Art Degree in Psychology and Sociology from Minot State University. Nikki is currently the Support and Education Center Tutor and Personnel Manager in the Short-Term Care and Assessment Center. Nikki has been employed at Youthworks since 2009.
Fargo Staff Directory
Cheri Gerken, Program Manager, 701-232-8558, cgerken@ideaone.net
Cheri Gerken has a Master’s Degree in Child Development and Family Science with a focus in Marriage and Family Therapy and is the Programs Manager of the Fargo-Moorhead office; Cheri has held this position since 2003. Cheri provides supervision and direction to the Fargo-Moorhead staff and reports to the Executive Director. Prior to her employment at Youthworks, Cheri was an Intensive In-Home Therapist for the Village Family Service Center and On-Call Crisis worker for the Rape and Abuse Crisis Center. Cheri currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Dorothy Day House of Hospitality which is a homeless shelter serving men in the Fargo-Moorhead area; Cheri has been a Board member since 2004.
Kris Haycraft, LCSW, 701-232-8558, khaycraft@ideaone.net
Kris Haycraft is a Licensed Certified Social Worker with her Masters Degree from the University of Minnesota. Kris is the Transitional Living (TLP) and Parenting Pathways Program Coordinator in the Fargo-Moorhead Office. Kris has been employed at Youthworks since 2000. Prior to her role as the TLP/Parenting Pathways Coordinator, Kris has worked with a wide array of both court involved and transitional age youth through the diversion program at Youthworks, foster parenting and work with the Juvenile Court. In her role as the TLP and Parenting Pathways Coordinator, Kris provides case management, counseling, crisis intervention, aftercare, advocacy and outreach to homeless clients in Fargo.
Allison Rehling, LSW, 701-232-8558, arehling@ideaon.net
Allison Rehling is a Licensed Social Worker. She has a Bachelor’s Degree from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN and has been working at Youthworks since August 2009.
Kathy Faeth, Administrative Assistant, 701-232-8558, youthworks@ideaone.net
Kathy Faeth has a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Secondary Education. She taught Business and English classes for six years in rural North Dakota. Returning to Fargo, she continues to teach computer classes for Adults and Senior Citizens. Kathy received her Associate Degree in Developmental Disabilities and worked in the field for 20 years. She currently works part time for Moorhead’s Park and Recreation Department and started working at Fargo Youthworks in October of 2009.
Rhonda VanNorman, MS, LMFT, 701-232-8558, rvannorman@ideaone.net
Rhonda VanNorman has a Master’s Degree in Child Development and Family Science with a focus in Marriage and Family Therapy from North Dakota State University, and is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in both Minnesota and North Dakota. Rhonda is currently the Youthworks Diversion Program Coordinator working with youth and their families who have been involved with the Juvenile Court System. Prior to her employment at Youthworks, Rhonda worked for Christian Family Life Services, was an Intensive-in-home Therapist for the Village Family Service Center and Lutheran Social Services of MN, and spent one year as the on-site Professional for the Pelican Rapids School System. She now provides individual and family therapy, crisis intervention and outreach services for Fargo, Jamestown, Valley City, and Wahpeton.
Danelle Klaman, LCSW, 701-232-8558, dklaman@ideaone.net
Danelle Klaman is the Runaway Program Coordinator in the Fargo office and provides services to runaway and homeless youth and families, including case management, advocacy, referrals, and individual and family counseling. She is a Licensed Certified Social Worker in North Dakota and completed her undergraduate degree in social work at Minnesota State University Moorhead and received her Master’s degree in social work from the University of Minnesota in 2001. Prior to her position at Youthworks, Danelle worked as a Program Supervisor and Adoption Social Worker for the Adults Adopting Special Kids program with Catholic Charities North Dakota, providing adoption services to children from the public welfare system. She also serves on the Executive Board of the North Dakota Conference on Social Welfare.
Jessica Fleck, LCSW, 701-232-8558, jfleck@ideaone.net
Jessica Fleck is a Licensed Certified Social Worker with her Master’s Degree from the University of North Dakota. Jessica works in the Transitional Living, Parenting Pathways, and Runaway Programs in the Fargo-Moorhead office. Jessica has been employed with Youthworks since 2009. In her role at Youthworks, Jessica provides case management, individual and family counseling, crisis intervention, aftercare, advocacy, and outreach services. Prior to her role at Youthworks, Jessica worked as a Foster Care Case Manager for Grand Forks County Social Service Center.
Rebecca Schneider, VISTA Volunteer, 701-232-8558, rebeccas@youthworksweb.org
Rebecca Schneider joined the agency December 8, 2008, as an AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers In Service To America). She helped establish the fundraising event, “No Vacancy: A Day of Hunger and Homelessess”, as well as helped plan many other events and fundraisers. She renewed her commitment to VISTA and to Youthworks for a second one-year term and will remain with the agency through December 6, 2010. She has since relocated to the Fargo office where she spends three weeks a month working on fundraising, event planning, media/marketing, community development, and a forthcoming agency e-newsletter. Rebecca also returns to Bismarck monthly to continue work on No Vacancy 2010 (May 8-9). She is excited and challenged by the lofty mission of VISTA: “eradicating poverty.”
Rebecca was born and raised in Bismarck, graduating from Bismarck High School in 2005 and University of Mary 2008 with a BA in English. At U-Mary she was Editor in Chief of the campus newspaper. She also spent two and a half years working at the Bismarck Tribune. She aspires to earn a MFA in creative writing after her two years of AmeriCorps VISTA. Life after VISTA will most likely see Rebecca moving to the Pacific Northwest, an area of the country she has always been infatuated with because of its picturesque landscapes and its prevalence of social activism, not to mention 12 months out of the year for Rebecca to pursue one of her other loves – long distance running.