Montana Prevent Child Abuse and Neglect Conference

Scott Allen

Scott C. Allen is a nationally recognized leader in community safety and well-being with more than 25 years of experience in law enforcement–public health collaboration. A retired Chief of Police from East Bridgewater, Massachusetts, he retired in 2020 to pursue his passion for advancing community health partnerships and now serves as Executive Director of Community Engagement at Cordata Healthcare Innovations. His work focuses on helping communities build coordinated, trauma-informed responses that support children, families, and individuals facing behavioral health, substance use, and social challenges.

As Chief, Scott launched the Handle With Care program in 2017 to support children exposed to trauma, an initiative that continues to operate successfully today. He also co-founded Plymouth County Outreach (PCO) in 2015, a nationally recognized law enforcement–public health partnership that remains active and impactful today.

Scott has helped advance and scale Deflection, Situation Table, and other collaborative models that identify risk early, mobilize multi-disciplinary partners, and prevent deeper system involvement for youth and families. His work emphasizes aligning public safety, public health, community, education, and child-serving systems to strengthen protective factors and improve outcomes. He is a frequent national presenter and advisor to federal, state, and local partners on prevention, community wellbeing, and cross-system collaboration. 

Ivy Anderson, BSW

Ivy Anderson, BSW, is a social worker, leader, and devoted parent known for her steady presence, compassionate leadership, and commitment to strengthening families and communities. With more than a decade at The Parenting Place, Ivy has dedicated her career to building systems of support that empower caregivers, protect children, and promote healthy relationships. Ivy joined The Parenting Place in 2013 as Respite Coordinator, working directly with families during times of stress and transition. Her empathetic leadership and collaborative style led to her role as Program Director, where she oversaw prevention-focused services, guided trauma-informed staff, and supported program growth. In April 2023, Ivy became Executive Director, bringing vision, integrity, and a deep understanding of the systems impacting children and families. At the core of Ivy’s work is a passion for abuse prevention and early intervention. She believes strong, supported families are the foundation of healthy communities and that lasting change begins with trust and connection. Known for creating calm, inclusive spaces, Ivy leads with the belief that healing is possible and that even small moments of support can create lasting impact.

Natalie Bahnmiller, MSW, LCSW

Natalie has worked in the child welfare spectrum in a variety of roles for the past 30 years. She currently works as a Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) Specialist for the Child and Family Services Division (CFSD) in Montana. One of her current roles includes working to ensure the educational success of students placed in foster care. In addition to her work in CQI, she was a child protection worker for 10 years and she also worked in the capacity as a Resource Family Specialist, licensing foster and adoptive homes for Child and Family Services. Natalie earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Carroll College in 1995 and her Master’s degree in Social Work from Walla Walla University in 2002.  She was also employed by the University of Montana, Center for Children, Families and Workforce Development Center as a Workforce Training Consultant for 15 years. During the course of her employment with the University of Montana, she provided training to newly hired staff at CFSD and developed and facilitated training specific to child welfare practice throughout the state. Additionally, she is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and provides mental health services on a part-time basis in her community.

Marisa Britton-Bostwick

Marisa Britton-Bostwick Marisa has spent over 25 years in Education as a teacher and an administrator. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Montana State University-Billings, a Masters in School Administration from Chapman University and a specialized graduate credential in Literacy from University of California-Los Angeles. In her career, she has focused on assisting English language learners, at risk youth and students involved in the justice system to have supports in place to be successful in school and in the community. She also strives to work with all parties associated with children in foster care and how to best support them in Montana schools. It is also important to her, to work with stakeholders, schools and families to help schools and students achieve their educational goals.

Andrew Campbell

Andrew Campbell is an expert on family violence and the associated risks of harm for adults, children, and animals residing in homes where this violence occurs. Andrew has a master’s degree in Public Health and has given over 250 family violence/community violence related presentations for multidisciplinary groups across the United States and around the world. His many publications over the last several years include papers cited by the FBI, CDC, United Nations, and in over 1,600 international academic papers and research studies. Andrew is the author of the book, "Taking Back What Abuse Took: A Public Health Based Approach to Healing from Abuse".

Laurie Carter, MD

Dr. Carter grew up in a Chicago suburb and graduated from Loyola Stritch School of Medicine before moving to Washington, DC, where she completed her pediatric residency and served as chief resident at Children’s National Hospital. She then worked as a pediatric hospitalist at Kaiser Santa Clara Hospital in Northern California. In 2007, she moved to Missoula with her husband, who is from Great Falls, and their young sons. Over the years, Dr. Carter developed a strong interest in child abuse recognition and management while continuing her work as a pediatric hospitalist at Community Medical Center and Providence St. Patrick Hospital, where she also served on both hospitals’ trauma committees. Dr. Carter collaborates with local child welfare investigations through her work with First Step Resource Center, Missoula’s child advocacy center, and by participating in the county’s Just Response multidisciplinary team. She currently serves as the Child Abuse Champion for the Montana Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics and routinely provides education to first responder programs.

Mallori DeSalle

Mallori is a licensed mental health counselor, a member of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT) and MINT certified motivational interviewing trainer, and a certified humor
professional. Mallori's flair for listening and laughter lead her to start her own business teaching others to use  empath and humor at work and play.  Mallori has been faculty within The School of Public Health at Indiana University, Bloomington for nearly 20 years, but has yet to discover the exact meaning of a "Hoosier". In her spare time Mallori enjoys tasting Oreo cookies with her three children. Her credentials don't impress her kids, but occasionally her jokes do make them laugh.

Stacy Dreessen, LMSW

Stacy Dreessen, LMSW, brings more than 30 years of experience working with children, families, and communities, guided by a deep commitment to helping children grow up in safe, stable, and nurturing environments. Her work centers on strengthening parents and caregivers, building resilience, and preventing child abuse and neglect through education, connection and community-based support. Stacy spent 18 years with The Family Tree Center in Billings, Montana, serving as Executive Director for 12 of those years. During that time, she played a key leadership role in shaping prevention-focused services and strengthening systems of care for families. Concurrently, she served as Co-Director of the Child Abuse Prevention Network of Montana (CAP Network) and continues her involvement today as a member of the CAP Network Board of Directors. Stacy also serves on the Yellowstone District Exchange and Intermountain Deaconess Children’s Services Boards.

Currently, Stacy works as a Consultant and Trainer, sharing her expertise statewide and nationally. She has facilitated the Nurturing Parenting Program for over 20 years and is a National Trainer for Darkness to Light: Stewards of Children. Her training expertise includes Parent Aide Home Visiting, Visit Coaching, Adverse Childhood Experiences, Complex Trauma and Trauma-Informed Care.

Stacy knows that child abuse and neglect are preventable through prevention programs and education for parents, caregivers and community members and that We ALL Play a Role in Preventing Child Abuse and Neglect.

Stephanie Fitch, MHA, MS, PCLC, LAC, PMH-C

Stephanie Fitch is a passionate advocate for maternal-child behavioral health, blending clinical expertise with systems-level innovation. A licensed addiction counselor and professional counseling license candidate in Montana, Stephanie holds dual master’s degrees in healthcare administration and clinical mental health counseling, along with specialty certification in perinatal mental health. She is also a certified Improvement Coach through the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, bringing a sharp eye for quality and equity to every initiative she leads. Stephanie’s career spans inpatient, outpatient, and utilization review settings, where she developed a deep understanding of the behavioral health needs of families. Today, she serves as the manager of the Montana Obstetrics and Maternal Support (MOMS) demonstration project at Billings Clinic, a role that has grown to encompass multiple grant-funded programs focused on expanding access to integrated behavioral health and specialty medicine services across southern Montana. Her work centers on building collaborative, trauma-informed systems that support families from pregnancy through early childhood—especially in rural and underserved communities. Stephanie’s leadership is grounded in compassion, clinical insight, and a commitment to transforming maternal and pediatric care through innovation and connection. Holly Demarest, BS, LAC, PMH-C Holly Demarest brings nearly two decades of experience in behavioral health to her role as the Behavioral Health Care Manager for the Empaths Program. Prior to joining Empaths, Holly served at Rimrock Foundation for 19 years, where she provided addiction counseling, facilitated parenting support classes, and led motivational enhancement programming for thousands of patients across the region. Her passion for working with mothers and children was especially evident in her leadership within the Michel’s House and Willow Way residential programs. Now at Empaths, Holly continues to share her deep expertise, warmth, and unwavering positivity with both patients and staff. In her current role, she works within the Collaborative Care Model (CoCM), providing problem-solving treatment and behavioral activation counseling to patients experiencing mild-to-moderate depression, anxiety, and substance use symptoms. Holly partners closely with care coordinators to address behavioral health and social determinants of health within the primary care setting, aiming to prevent escalation and support long-term wellness. Holly’s commitment to compassionate, family-centered care makes her an invaluable asset to the Empaths team and a trusted advocate for women’s health and behavioral well-being.

Brittney Garrett

Brittney Garrett is a nationally recognized subject matter expert in the field of police and public safety deflection/diversion. She is the current Senior Director of Public Safety Engagement & Strategy at the Police Assisted Addiction & Recovery Initiative (PAARI). Previously, as Administrative Commander/Major for Jeffersontown Police, she launched Kentucky's first Angel Program, modeled after Gloucester MA, linking individuals with substance use disorder to treatment via law enforcement. She is currently working with the Montana Department of Health and Human Services on the Montana Angel Initiative project.

Brittney has presented at numerous national conferences and events, including the US Senate Opioid Roundtable, the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) Conference on Responding to the Opioid Epidemic, the Rx and Illicit Drug Summit, the PAARI Law Enforcement Summit, the Cocaine, Meth & Stimulant Summit, Police Treatment and Community Collaborative (PTACC) Summit, the Overdose Response Strategy (ORS), and the IACP DAID Conference.

Brittney holds a Bachelor's in Justice Administration from the University of Louisville, a Master's in Organizational Leadership from Colorado State University-Global Campus, and is a Prosci Certified Change Practitioner.

Heidi Gibson

For the past decade, Heidi Gibson has worked as an organizational development consultant, guiding healthcare organizations, human services, museums, schools and more in advancing their mission. She holds a bachelor's degree from Gonzaga University and a professional certificate in Nonprofit Administration from the University of Montana. Before transitioning to consulting, Gibson was the State Director of the Alzheimer’s Association and the Executive Director of the Center for Mental Health Foundation, where she spearheaded the Beautiful Minds campaign to combat the stigma surrounding serious mental illness. She contributes her expertise at the Montana Empowerment Center (MEC) as the Executive Director. MEC is Montana's Parent Training and Information Center (PTI), primarily funded through the U.S. Department of Education. They were founded in 2018 by parents of children with disabilities, who provide free and confidential support to families and professionals across Montana. Our mission is to empower, encourage, and educate families to navigate special education and advocate for their children from birth through age 26.    

Justine has spent over 15 years in public education as a Teacher, Behavior Specialist and School Principal in all grade levels K-12. She holds a BA from the University of Montana in History- Political Science and Secondary Education, a Master’s of Education in Alternative Education and Graduate Certificate in School Principals. In her career she has been drawn to positions of support and has enjoyed working with at-risk youth. She enjoys supporting school staff to provide quality and engaging learning for all students. At OPI she is excited to serve Montana Schools!

Elizabeth Harper-Schurman, LCPC

Elizabeth is a licensed Clinical Mental Health Professional and the owner of Feel-Good Montana Wellness LLC in Florence, Montana. With more than 15 years of experience providing person-centered interaction, Elizabeth came to be a licensed therapist through many life experiences. She is dedicated to creating a supportive, non-judgmental therapeutic environment where every individual and family can feel heard and valued while learning about themselves, healing from trauma, and gaining skills to deal with many life situations. Her educational career began at the University of Montana and culminated in a Master’s in Clinical Professional Counseling from Liberty University. Elizabeth is currently taking steps to begin a program to earn her doctorate in Counselor Education and Supervision. Beyond her practice, Elizabeth actively volunteers for various organizations that require a multicultural mindset. In her free time, she enjoys spending quality time with her large family and friends, embracing the outdoors, and engaging in creative crafts.

Nina Hernandez

Nina Hernandez is the founding Executive Director of Friends of the Children - Eastern Montana Chapter. Her background is in philanthropy and business and program development in the nonprofit sector. She campaigned for large nonprofits in Texas and Montana, such as the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in Dallas. Her Montana roots brought her back to Billings after she and her husband adopted their first child. In Billings she worked as the Executive Director for the American Heart Association, as the Development Director for Youth Dynamics, a children’s behavioral health organization, and as a consultant primarily working with nonprofit boards and executives. Nina is a strong advocate for equity. She volunteers with organizations and systems serving communities with vulnerabilities. She’s an avid reader (with a degree in English from the University of North Texas), and likes skiing, hiking, and biking with her kids, husband, and dogs.

Kalli Jacquay

Kalli Jacquay is a certified Community Health Worker currently employed as a Maternal Care Coordinator and Clinical Supervisor at Logan Health in Kalispell. Kalli graduated from Montana State University-Bozeman with degrees in Psychology and Family and Consumer Sciences and received her Master’s in Organizational Leadership from the University of Providence. Kalli has spent her career providing home visiting and case management services to children with developmental disabilities and their families and spent some time working as a caseworker for CPS in Washington and a child care coach. Kalli’s role now allows her to be able to educate and connect pregnant women and families with necessary resources and support in the community through the Meadowlark Initiative at Logan Health. She also enjoys the work she gets to do on various community coalitions involving perinatal mental health and early childhood education. In her non-work time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and 3 kids in the beautiful Flathead Valley.

Cory Jewell Jensen

Currently an instructor for CBI Consulting, Cory Jewell Jensen, spent 35 years providing evaluation and treatment services to adult sex offenders in Portland, Oregon. In addition to her clinical work, Ms. Jensen provided training or consultation services to The National Center for the Prosecution of Child Abuse, The Office of Special Investigations-Diplomatic Security Services Agency, U.S. Marshall’s Office, Canadian Security Intelligence Service, American Association of Police Polygraph Examiners, National Child Advocacy Center, National Children’s Alliance, United States Navy,  National Crime Victims Association, National Boy Scouts Foundation, Prevent Child Abuse America, NYPD’s Special Victims Unit and scores of law enforcement, child advocacy and faith based organizations.  Ms. Jensen served on a number of state and national boards has provided training for countless Multi-disciplinary Teams throughout the United States and Europe and been the recipient of Oregon’s "Commercial Crime Prevention Award," the "Champions for Children Award," the OATSA "Significant Achievement Award," the Nunnenkamp "Award of Excellence," and the Jan Hindman Memorial Award.  She has published a number of articles related to sex offender treatment, risk management and child abuse prevention, testified as an expert witness in local and federal courts and been a featured guest on radio talk shows and the Oprah Winfrey Show.  

Justin Matthews

Justin Matthews grew up in a law-enforcement household, where he first witnessed the complex realities affecting individuals, families and communities. He went on to build a diverse career path-first in the culinary world and later as an international touring musician for over a decade. Along the way, his personal experiences navigating life's challenges, including exposure to substance use, have shaped his perspective on people, communities and resilience. Today, these insights drive his work in substance abuse prevention, where he is committed to fostering cultural change and healthier, more resilient communities.

Andrew Monroe, LCSW

Andrew Monroe, LCSW, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker at the University of Oklahoma Health Campus (OUHC), Center on Child Abuse and Neglect where hehas been employed since 2020. He completed his undergraduate studies at Auburn University where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work. He completedhis Master of Social Work at The University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, AL in 2013. Mr. Monroe has experience working with and developing programs for youthwith problematic sexual behaviors as well as trauma survivors in urban and rural communities through telehealth, in home, residential, school, and clinic basedservices. He is certified in several evidence-based treatment models, including Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and Problematic SexualBehavior Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (PSB-CBT). Mr. Monroe is a lead clinician in the Treatment Program for Children with Problematic Sexual Behavior forschool-age children (PSB-S) and Adolescents with Illegal Sexual Behavior Program (PSB-A), and oversees the coordination of all the PSB-S training programs andrural health initiatives for the National Center on the Sexual Behaviors of Youth as the School-Age Training Director. Andrew provides both clinical and senior leadersupport to teams being trained in the University of Oklahoma Problematic Sexual Behavior – Cognitive Behavioral Therapy™ (PSB-CBT™).

Teresa Nygaard, LBSW

Teresa Nygaard, LBSW,  is a trainer, consultant, and advocate with more than 30 years of experience working alongside children, families, and communities across Montana. As the founder and owner of DragonFly406 Training & Consulting, Teresa is known for her trauma-informed, relationship-centered approach and her ability to create learning spaces that are engaging, thoughtful, and grounded in real-world practice. A graduate of the University of Montana, Teresa is a Montana ACE (Adverse Childhood Experiences) Master Trainer and a National Trainer for both the Nurturing Parenting Programs and Darkness to Light: Stewards of Children. Her professional background includes nonprofit leadership, parent education, child abuse prevention, and healthcare fundraising, giving her a broad systems perspective and a deep understanding of the challenges facing families and service providers. Teresa excels at translating complex concepts into accessible, practical tools that build empathy, confidence, and capacity. Her work emphasizes prevention, resilience, and strengthening relationships, with a focus on supporting professionals and organizations to create safer, more responsive environments for children and families. Teresa’s passion for this work is rooted in a belief that informed, compassionate communities are essential to long-term healing and well-being.

Dr. Chris M. Olszewski

Dr. Chris M.Olszewski, Billings Public Schools Chris currently serves as the Assistant Superintendent and Executive Director of Curriculum & Instruction (9-12) for Billings Public Schools. He earned his General Science undergraduate degree from the University of Great Falls and his Broadfield Science teaching endorsement from the University of Texas San Antonio. His teaching experience includes grades five through high school sciences and adjunct professor at the college level. He graduated from the Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio, TX with a master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction. Chris completed the principal and superintendent program, and earned his doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of Montana. Chris has served on numerous state and national level committees, including the 2022 Montana Accreditation (Ch.55) Negotiated Rules Committee. He is a past president of both state affiliates for the Montana ASCD and Montana Learning Forward. Dr. Olszewski is an alumni of the 2024 cohort Cambiar Catalyst Fellowship. In his 29 years of experience in the educational field, Dr, Olszewski strives to find innovative ways to align curriculum, instruction, and assessment and provide the leadership necessary for positive change.

Kirsten H. Pabst

Kimberly Rebich

Kimberly has dedicated over 21 years to the field of education in Montana. Prior to joining the OPI in 2023, she spent more than 18 years teaching within Title I schools across Montana. In her role at the OPI she provides program support and technical assistance to Montana's school districts and administrators with ESEA Federal Education Title Programs, specializing in Title I, Part A programs. Additionally, she coordinates ESEA Consolidated Title Program Monitoring for the OPI. Kimberly holds a Master of Education in Educational Leadership, a Master of Science in Teaching and Learning, and a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. 

Karl Rosston, LCSW

Karl Rosston is the Suicide Prevention Coordinator for the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services.  He provides evidenced-based programs to all Montana secondary schools, implements the State Suicide Prevention Plan, supports the Montana Suicide Prevention Lifeline, implements firearm safety programs and statewide media campaigns, provides suicide prevention trainings, and coordinates suicide prevention efforts around the state. Karl is adjunct faculty at the Montana Law Enforcement Academy and a nationally certified trainer in QPR and Mental Health First Aid. 

Previously, Karl was the Director of Social Services at Shodair Children’s Hospital in Helena.  Before returning to Montana, he was on the faculty of the University of Colorado, School of Medicine, and a clinical consultant with the Colorado Division of Youth Corrections.  

He is a licensed clinical social worker who maintains a small private practice in Helena.  He received his Master’s in Social Work from the University of Denver and his Bachelor’s in Psychology from the University of Montana.

Jean Schroeder

Jean is the Project Coordinator at the Montana Empowerment Center. She has a bachelor's degree in psychology and has over 26 years of experience, both professionally and personally, working with people with disabilities in different capacities. She has extensive experience working with families who have children with disabilities.  She has worked previously as a Family Support Specialist, helping families get connected and navigate through Montana Part C, connecting to Part B (school) and Family Education and Support services.  She has also been a case manager for children being served by the Children's Medicaid Waiver. She is also a parent of an adult son with a disability.  

Julie Sonderegger, MSW, SWLC

Julie is a dedicated therapist and the owner of Bright Horizons Center, providing compassionate, client-centered support for individuals and families. Affiliated with Integrity Counseling Group, she specializes inworking with teens, neurodivergent individuals, and parents managing complex family dynamics. Her family work includes roles as a co-parenting therapist and a Parenting Facilitator/Parenting Coordinator, helping families navigate parenting plans and build healthier, more collaborative relationships. An active member of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), Julie serves on the NASW Montana Policy, Legislation, and Social Action Committee, contributing to statewide advocacy efforts that strengthen social work practice and support community well-being. With more than two decades of experience in Human Services and Social Work, Julie's background is extensive. Her professional history with the State of Montana includes roles as a Medicaid Policy Specialist and Program Manager for the HIFA Mental Health Waiver, as well as a Child and Family Services worker and supervisor in the Kalispell CFSD office. This deep experience informs her commitment to supporting families through major life transitions. Julie earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Ashford University and completed her Master of Social Work at the University of Kentucky College of Social Work, specializing in Clinical Social Work. She lives in Kalispell with her family and, in her free time, enjoys crafting, swimming, kayaking, and taking road trips. Her lifelong focus remains the safety, well-being, and empowerment of children and families.

Tressie White

Tressie White directs all the American Indian health programming at the Montana Healthcare Foundation with calm leadership and tireless dedication to improving health and reducing disparities for American Indian people in Montana. Tressie and her team provide funding, programming support, strategic guidance, and technical assistance for all of our grantees participating in the American Indian Health focus area and initiatives and the Meadowlark Initiative. Before joining our team in 2017, Tressie served as executive director of the Helena Indian Alliance, and the director of the Wakina Sky Multicultural After School Program. Tressie is an enrolled member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians and a descendant of the Rocky Boy Chippewa Cree Tribe. She currently lives in Helena and enjoys spending time with her three children.

D.J. Vanas

D.J. is an enrolled member of the Ottawa Tribe of Michigan, a former U.S. Air Force officer, best-selling author and his expertise is in showing people and organizations how to apply the warrior spirit at work.  He’s delivered over 7,000 programs to clients such as Intel Corporation, the U.S. military, Walt Disney, Amazon, Costco, Subaru, Mayo Clinic, NASA and over 500 tribal nations.  He’s also been twice invited to speak at The White House. His passionate focus is inspiring the use of our traditional warrior spirit principles to stay resilient, fiercely solution-oriented, create clarity from chaos and get better results in all we do as leaders and service providers.  He holds a B.S. from the U.S. Air Force Academy and an M.S. from University of Southern California and has served on the Board of Directors on the National Board of Certified Counselors.  After serving ten years as a decorated Air Force officer, he is now the president of his own company, Native Discovery Inc.  D.J.’s mission is to "build the warriors of tomorrow...today".  He’s also the author of The Tiny Warrior: A Path to Personal Discovery & Achievement (which is printed in six countries), Spirit on the Run and his newest book, The Warrior Within (Penguin Random House) was released in 2022. D.J. is featured on the PBS documentary The Warrior Tradition, exploring warrior traditions across Indian Country and is the host and producer of the PBS special, Discovering Your Warrior Spirit. D.J. is also a regular contributor to Men’s Journal Magazine.