Directors

Staff PhotoJay A. Van Hunnik

Executive Director

Jay has been employed by Wellspring since January 1994. He was Wellspring's first full-time employee and formerly Director of Family Based Services. Jay has worked in human services in the Rapid City area since 1979. He helped develop the South Dakota Children's Home Society home-based program. From 1988 to 1994 he implemented Behavior Management Systems’ in-home program. He served on the National Association for Family Based Services Board of Directors. Jay received his M.A. in Sociology from the University of South Dakota, and his B.S. in Sociology and Psychology.


Staff PhotoDr. Steven P. Manlove M.D.

Medical Director

Dr Manlove is Board Certified in Psychiatry, Internal Medicine, and Forensic Psychiatry. He enjoys working with adults, adolescents, and children as they strive to overcome their psychiatric problems. A graduate of the University of Minnesota Medical School and the University of Virginia Medical Center, Dr. Manlove has been practicing in South Dakota since 1987 and has been involved in the treatment of over 15,000 patients. Dr. Manlove is a member of the American Psychiatric Association of Psychiatry and the Law.


Administrative

Staff PhotoJim Schweigerdt

Business Manager

Jim is responsible for the business and accounting duties at Wellspring. He handles all banking issues and pays all the bills on time. Jim came to Wellspring with great experience in both government and private sector accounting processes.


Staff PhotoDanita Simons

Development Director

Danita received her BS in Psychology and Sociology through Black Hills State University in 1994 and is a Certified Psychiatric Rehabilitation Practitioner. Danita has worked with youth, adults and families with chemical dependency, psychiatric and developmental disabilities in a human service, case management, vocational and admissions setting for 14 years. As the Development Director, Danita is responsible for working in coordination with the Fundraising Committee and Board of Directors in implementing plans for increased public relations, program development, developing fundraising strategy, fundraising, writing grants and marketing.


Staff PhotoMichelle Veneklasen

Accreditation Specialist

Michelle came to Wellspring with over seven years experience working with youth, families and community and correctional agencies. Michelle has experience and exposure working with state accreditation and licensing entities and standards. Michelle earned her master’s degree through South Dakota State University in Counseling and Human Services Development. She is a National Certified Counselor (NCC) and a Certified School Counselor pursuing her LPC and Level III Chemical Dependency licensure.
As the Accreditation Specialist it is Michelle’s focus to work toward accreditation with Joint Commission as well as maintain licensure and accreditation with state entities. It is also Michelle’s mission to continually work toward improving the safety and quality of care Wellspring provides.


Department Staff
  • Rhonda Hand, Administrative Assistant/Office Manager

Residential

Staff PhotoDon Murray

Director of Residential Services

Don has supervised the Family Reconciliation Center since December 1995. He has over 30 years experience working with troubled youth in, group homes, residential treatment facilities, and psychiatric hospitals. Don earned his BS degree in 1984 from Black Hills State University. His degree is in Psychology and Sociology.


Staff PhotoKim Hitzemann

Team Leader

Kim Hitzemann has been employed by Wellspring since 2001. She earned her Bachelor of Science in the field of Psychology and Alcohol and Drug Abuse Studies from the University of South Dakota. While working at Wellspring she has taken on many different roles including Parenting Specialist, Shift Leader, Residential Treatment Specialist and currently Team Leader. As Team Leader, Kim is responsible for ensuring the implementation of a therapeutic milieu, group setting and individual treatment plans. She trains new staff on the care and supervision of youth in Residential Services programs by providing hands on training of new staff and assists in ongoing training needs. She provides supervision of staff to ensure that daily supervision and care of youth residing in the Family Reconciliation Center (FRC) and Chemical Dependency Treatment Center is in compliance with Wellspring policy and procedures.


Department Staff
  • Don Garcia, Shift Leader / Family Reconciliation Unit
  • Jim Ruddy, Shift Leader / Chemical Dependency Unit
  • Joe Hodgins, Shift Leader / Family Reconciliation Unit
  • Lisa Kindt, Shift Leader / Chemical Dependency Unit
  • NA, Shift Leader / Family Reconciliation Unit
  • na, Shift Leader / Chemical Dependency Unit
  • Shari Herrington, Education Specialist

Clinical - Behavioral Treatment Services

Staff PhotoJanelle Schenstad-Hodgins, LPC

Wellspring FRC Clinical Director

Janelle graduated from South Dakota State University West River Graduate Program with a Masters in Counseling with a LPC and is a National Certified Counselor by the National Board for Certified Counselors. Janelle has over ten years of experience working with youth, adults, and families in need of counseling intervention. As the Clinical Director, Janelle leads and supervises the Residential Treatment Specialists, Nursing staff and the Admissions Specialists. She ensures the quality of services to youth and families served by Wellspring.


Department Staff
  • Alana Kindle, Residential Treatment Specialist
  • Chelsea Sasse, Residential Treatment Specialist
  • Debi McConnell, Nurse
  • Jean-Anne Wells, Administrative Assistant

Clinical - Youth Challenge Services

Staff PhotoAmber Kemp

Youth Challenge Director

Amber Kemp has been employed at Wellspring since 2000. She graduated from the South Dakota State University West River Graduate Program with a Master's Degree in Agency Counseling and Human resource Development. During her employment, Amber has worked in both the residential and outpatient settings. She enjoys working in an environment that is both strength based and family focused. As the Youth Challenge Director, Amber supervises the Group Facilitators and ensures the quality of services to youth and families receiving services through the Youth Challenge After-School Program.


Department Staff
  • Cassie Shaw, Group Facilitator
  • Jennifer Bangle, Shift Leader
  • NA, Group Facilitator

Clinical - Chemical Dependency Treatment Serivces

Staff PhotoMichelle McIntosh

Chemical Dependency Supervisor

Michelle is the Clinical Supervisor of the Chemical Dependency Programs at Wellspring, including the female inpatient unit and the various outpatient services. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from Black Hills State University. She completed her Master’s of Science Degree in Counseling and Human Services from South Dakota State University’s West River Graduate Center in 2004. She is a Certified Chemical Dependency Counselor III and a Licensed Professional Counselor-Mental Health Therapist. She began her journey in the field of counseling at Soaring Eagle Treatment Center, through which she came to Wellspring, Inc. in 2006. She has 9 years experience of working with adolescents providing various chemical dependency and mental health services.


Department Staff
  • Cindi Vallette, Chemical Dependancy Treatment Counselor
  • Deb Francis, Chemical Dependancy Treatment Counselor
  • Garratt Clapp, Soaring Eagle Treatment Counselor
  • JoSee Suess-Carlin, Soaring Eagle Treatment Counselor
  • Michelle Hargis, Soaring Eagle Treatment Counselor

Admissions

Staff PhotoCarl Johnson

Admissions Specialist for Chemical Dependency Center and Soaring Eagle

Carl is the first person to call with questions and to schedule appointments for Chemical Dependency Services at Wellspring. He is always willing to listen and his motto is: “There are no stupid questions.”


Staff PhotoMelissa Lowe

Admissions Specialist for the Family Reconciliation Center and Youth Challenge Program

Melissa received her B.S. in Human Services and Sociology from Black Hills State in 2007. Melissa is the Admission Specialist and is responsible for the intake process for all Family Reconciliation Center and Youth Challenge youth.
As an Admissions Specialist, Melissa’s focus is to assist families and referring agencies in the placement of youth quickly, as well as offering other community resource services as needed.