HOME ON THE RANGE PERSONNEL AND JOB DESCRIPTIONS
Leadership Team
Laura Feldmann, Executive Director
Email: lauraf@hotrnd.com
Phone 701-872-3745 ext: 7103
Education: L.C.S.W., M.S.W.
Date of Employment: December 2005
Oversee planning, implementation and administration of all policies that regulate Home On The Range. Manage and supervise all employees, directly and indirectly. Administer and interpret Home On The Range personnel policies and procedures. Clinical Social Worker; LCSW (licensed clinical social worker), Certified Facilitator with EAGALA (Equine Growth And Learning Association), and Certified in Animal Assisted Social Work through the University of Denver. Laura is part of a three member equine therapeutic team that also includes an equine specialist and horses. The group uses a team approach with the kids at HOTR in a coed group setting, as well as individual and family settings. This team works with the kids to increase their relationship building skills, problem solving skills, independent thinking and communication skills in addition to a plethora of other area of development. The program is very client driven and uses a three prong approach; education, on ground activities, and skill development.
Kala Wirtzfeld, Fahnlander Hall Residential Director
Email: kalaw@hotrnd.com
Phone 701-872-3745 ext: 7143
Date of Employment: June 2007
Education: A.A of Arts
Oversee staff and residents of girls’ dorms; assist in recruiting, interviewing and hiring staff; assist with documentation, safety check sheets, quality of life surveys, and log entries; review incident reports; review staff to resident interactions and observations of staff; enforce compliance of behavior modification program, perform evaluations; enforce residential living manual policies; review daily logs and provide feedback. She is also a Risking Connections Trainer.
Greg LaBelle, Facility Ranch & Plant Director; Eagle Hall Residential Director
Email: gregl@hotrnd.com
Phone: 701-872-3745 ext: 7182 or 701-218-0209
Date of Employment: February 1991
Oversee farming and ranching operation; oversee plant and facility operations, maintain buildings and campus equipment; advise on needed repairs or replacement of equipment; supervise maintenance of vehicles; and oversee any new construction projects including developing budget, drawing floor plans, hiring sub-contractors, managing the ordering of materials and supplies.
Jolene Obrigewitch, Development Director
Email: joleneo@hotrnd.com
Phone 701-872-3745 ext: 7104
Education: B. S. Business
Date of Employment: February 1999
Seek donations, coordinate fund raising events, materials or campaigns, promote Home On The Range through public appearances and speaking engagements, oversee production of Champions Ride Rodeo.
Michelle Swanson, Admissions Director
Email: michelles@hotrnd.com
Phone 701-872-3745 ext: 7141
Education: B.S.W., L.S.W.
Date of Employment: January 1991
Recruit and review referral files, oversee admission paperwork and intakes. Liaison between referring workers, other agencies and Home On The Range staff.
Diane Szudera, Business Administration Director
Email: dianes@hotrnd.com
Phone 701-872-3745 ext: 7102
Education: A.S. Business
Date of Employment: August 1983
Oversee business transactions, prepare payroll, monitor personnel files, work with departments to hire new staff, work with insurance companies, accountants and attorneys to remain in compliance, and prepare monthly financial statements, quarterly tax returns and annual reports.
Jeff Bertelsen, Trauma Informed Educational Director
Email: jeffb@hotrnd.com
Phone 701-872-3745 ext: 7122
Education: B.A. Univ. Studies
Date of Employment: May 1997
Monitor residents in all school settings, apply Trauma Informed principles and practices, work collaboratively with students, teachers and HOTR staff, serve as connection between the school, students legal guardians and HOTR staff.
John Orluck, Quality Services Director
Email: johno@hotrnd.com
Phone 701-872-3745 ext: 7114
Education: B.S.W, L.S.W.
Date of Employment: January 1991
Coordinate and generate CQI reports for agency as needed, oversee accreditation process, distribute and assess questionnaires and surveys to residents and staff, ensure Home On The Range is in compliance with accreditation and licensing agencies.
Support Staff
Viki VanHorn, Auxiliary Services Director
Email: vikiv@hotrnd.com
Phone 701-872-3745 ext: 7137
Education: A.S. Accounting
Date of Employment: June 2000
Work with dietician and plan all menus and ensure safe and clean environment in dining room, kitchen and laundry areas. Supervise clothing needs and inventory of all residents. Supervise dietary and laundry staff and any residents working in these areas. Supervise housekeeping staff and ensure facility is clean and safe for all staff and residents. Work with staff and residents to ensure dorm and facilities have a home-like environment and atmosphere.
Nancy Wirrenga, Registered Nurse
Email: nancyw@hotrnd.com
Phone 701-872-3745 ext: 7136
Education: B.S. Nursing
Date of Employment: June 2004
Monitor and coordinate residents’ health care needs, make nurse assessments as needed, conduct health tracks on new residents and keep MARS, train and monitor staff for administration of medication to residents, inform residents and staff of concerns or issues of medical needs, immunizations, and epidemics.
Vanessa Ueckert, Development Assistant
Email: vanessau@hotrnd.com
Phone 701-872-3745 ext. 7123
Date of Employment: May 2015
Assist Development Director with fundraising and special events; Oversee advertising, meetings, and documentation of Champions Ride Match, and work with rodeo committee and volunteers.
Cindy Meek, Administrative Secretary
Email: cindym@hotrnd.com
Phone 701-872-3745 ext: 7100
Date of Employment: June 2003
Perform general office receptionist duties, e.g. directing phone calls and visitors. Type and distribute internal memos, and internal/ external reports and correspondence. Work with social services department to schedule and coordinate strengthening family workshops.
Wanda Olson, Bookkeeper
Email: wandao@hotrnd.com
Phone 701-872-3745 ext: 7101
Education: A.S. Business
Date of Employment: September 1981
Maintain residents’ billing information, financially responsible party fee-for-service billing, and reimbursements. Prepare accounts receivable and payable; input statements and vendors, print checks, file receipts and update vendor files.
Bev Bouldin, Administrative Assistant
Email: bevb@hotrnd.com
Phone 701-872-3745 ext: 7138
Date of Employment: May 1991
Maintain all information, logs, savings and restitution accounts for residents’ files. Assist office receptionist and her duties, direct calls and/or visitors. Maintain current and past resident files’ documentation.
Connie Fulton, Registered Nurse
Email: connief@hotrnd.com
Phone: 701-872-3745 ext. 7136
Education: B.S. Nursing
Date of Employment: September 2021
Monitor and coordinate residents’ health care needs, make nurse assessments as needed, conduct health tracks on new residents and keep MARS, train and monitor staff for administration of medication to residents, inform residents and staff of concerns or issues of medical needs, immunizations, and epidemics.
Erin Schneider, Business Assistant
Email: erins@hotrnd.com
Phone: 701-872-3745 ext. 7124
B.B.A. Business Administration and Human Resource Management
Date of Employment: August 2022
Erin is the Business Assistant to the Business Administration Director at Home On The Range. In this role, Erin coordinates various duties throughout the business office, including payroll, safety compliance, human resource issues, and many more.
Clinical Staff
Jodi Ebel, Clinical Director
Email: jodie@hotrnd.com
Phone 701-872-3745 ext: 7135
Education: M.S. Human Services with specialization in criminal justice, L.C.A.C.
Date of Employment: May 1999
Provides direction, oversight, evaluation, and supervision to the various therapeutic programs at Home On The Range. Supervise and maintain a quality therapeutic program for the residents. Complete drug and alcohol assessments for every resident. Provide drug and alcohol education, low intensity treatment and aftercare for residents who have a need. L.A.C. since April 2008.
Tara Losinski, Licensed Addiction Counselor
Email: taral@hotrnd.com
Phone 701-872-3745 ext: 7121
Education: Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Master of Science in Addiction Counseling
Date of Employment: January 2002
Provide drug and alcohol education, low intensity treatment and aftercare for residents who have a need.
Velvet Craigo, Assessment Coordinator
Email: velvetc@hotrnd.com
Phone: 701-872-3745 ext: 7111
Education: Masters of Science in Psychology
Date of Employment: October 2013
Responsible for the planning, administration and scoring of psychological assessments for each resident of Home On The Range. Provides case management and on call services as well.
Robin Ferren, Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Email: robinf@hotrnd.com
Education: MSW, LCSW
Phone: 701-872-3745 ext. 7109
Date of Employment: September 2016
Robin has a Master of Social Work and a bachelor of science in counseling psychology. She has worked for Child and Family Services in Montana as a child protection specialist for the past twelve years. Prior to that, she worked for therapeutic foster care agencies in Montana and Alabama, providing case management and treatment management services.
Teresa Steele, Licensed Social Worker
Email: teresas@hotrnd.com
Education: LBSW
Phone: 701-872-3745 ext. 7139
Date of Employment: July 2017
My name is Teresa Steele and I’m so excited to join the HOTR crew as a new case manager. A little bit about me: I was raised in our very own Beach, ND and wouldn’t have it any other way. After high school, I attended the University of Mary in Bismarck, ND where I earned my Bachelor of Science in Social Work. After college, I married another Beach native. We settled down in the town we both grew up in, and are excited to meet our first child at the end of August 2017. I have a strong desire to serve my local community and people in general. I truly believe each of us is called to a more selfless way of life and I strive to do that each day in my job and in my home life. A big thank you to everyone here who has helped me get started and I’m excited to work with each of you!
Brittany Williams, Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Email: brittanyw@hotrnd.com
Education: MSW, LCSW
Phone: 701-872-3745 ext. 7120
Date of Employment: October 2017
Brittany has a Master of Social Work from St. Louis University in St. Louis, Missouri, with a family concentration and trauma specialization. While in graduate school, she worked at the St. Louis Crisis Nursery serving as an advocate for children and families in crisis while involved with the family-empowerment program. Brittany also worked at Great Circle Edgewood Children’s Center, a residential and day treatment program. She worked as a therapist at Great Circle conducting both individual and group therapy for children ages 9-12 years old and was trained in trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy. At the end of completing her Master of Social Work Graduate Program, she obtained a certificate in animal-assisted therapy, activities and learning through the University of Denver Graduate School of Social Work, completing a capstone project on integrating incarcerated youth with shelter animals. Following this, she worked as a Juvenile Justice Specialist for the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice for almost two years serving incarcerated youth.
Morgan Williams, Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Email: morganw@hotrnd.com
Education: MSW, LCSW
Phone: 701-872-3745 ext. 7129
Date of Employment: October 2017
Morgan is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and has a Master of Social Work from St. Louis University in St. Louis, MO, with a mental health concentration and trauma specialization. During the course of her graduate program, she was trained in trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy and worked at the county jail in a drug treatment program providing individual counseling and group therapy. Furthermore, she worked as a social worker in a psychiatric unit providing assessments and resources for individuals. Upon completion of graduate school, Morgan was employed as a Juvenile Justice Specialist for the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice serving incarcerated youth. She is thrilled to be a part of this organization and social work team.
Justus Garneau, Licensed Associate Professional Counselor
Email: justusg@hotrnd.com
Education: Master’s in Counseling, LAPC
Phone: 701-872-3745 ext. 7144
Date of Employment: June 2020
Justus is a Licensed Associate Professional Counselor and has a Master’s degree in Clinical Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling from Montana State University Billings. He has experience as a residential specialist, Family Engagement Specialist, and has been working with at-risk youth in a residential setting for the past 8 years. He is excited to be part of this amazing program and to help the youth here achieve their maximum potential.
Amber Schwartz, Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker
Email: ambers@hotrnd.com
Education: L.B.S.W
Phone: 701-872-3745 ext. 7183
Date of Employment: June 2021
Amber is a Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker and has a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Indiana Wesleyan University. She has lived in several states, but now calls North Dakota her home. She has a passion for helping people overcome their trauma. She has worked with various populations, including inner city youth and the elderly. She is grateful for the opportunity to connect with the youth at HOTR and loves being part of this team.”
Aftercare Specialists
Heather Miller, Aftercare Specialist
Email: heatherm@hotrnd.com
Education: B.A. Criminal Justice
Date of Employment: January 2020
My name is Heather and I have a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Bemidji State University. My passion has always been to work with children. I spent the last 10 years in youth ministry building relationships with young people. I am excited for the opportunity to work with youth and families at Home On The Range. She is responsible for aftercare services and follow up with youth and families upon discharge from Home On The Range.
Katelyn Antonsen, Aftercare Specialist
Email: katelyna@hotrnd.com
Education: B.S. in Psychology
Phone: 701-872-3745 ext. 7142
Date of Employment: May 2021
Katelyn is an Aftercare Specialist and obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Dickinson State University in 2021. For the past 3 years, she has been working at ABLE, Inc., as an assistant manager and a DSP in a residential group home for men with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She is responsible for aftercare services and follows up with youth and their families after discharge from Home On The Range.
Jordan Bloomgren, Aftercare Specialist
Email: jordanb@hotrnd.com
Education: B.A. in University Studies
Phone: 701-872-3745 ext. 7148
Date of Employment: January 2021
Jordan knew he wanted to work with youth once he graduated high school. He started at Dickinson State University as an education major, but it was never a good fit for him. Thus, he looked to real world experience. Jordan worked as a camp counselor at Badlands Ministries and an Afterschool Specialist with the Dickinson Public Schools. When he moved to Beach, he started working as a dorm staff at Home On The Range and has been here for over a year now.