Functional Family Facilitators
Providing facilitation and support for families in transition, with an emphasis on the needs and value of each family member, in order for families to meet their unique community living goals.







Pursuing a degree in social work so she can go on to be a caseworker. Her work experience includes being a teacher in a daycare for about three years and she is also a single mom of an amazing 4-year-old boy. Whitney’s strengths are being well organized, good communication skills, and always being ready for any new challenges that may come her way. One thing she loves about working for Independence Rising is helping people meet their goals and seeing happy families.






most recently been in the eldercare field first as a medication aid in an assisted living facility and later in
the home care field inside senior’s homes taking care of household maintenance to the organization of
meals and medications as well as personal care and supportive care with clients on hospice care. This
field required patience and stepping into the shoes of those she cared for to understand their needs.
She is a mother of 3 children ranging in ages between 21 and 17. Susanne has been a single parent for
nearly 18 years after the loss of her husband. She volunteered many hours at school with her children’s
activities and supported their many activities. She feels her years raising children alone as well as
knowing the friends of her children and volunteering at school has given her patience and experience
with children of all backgrounds. When applying for this position she felt like she has much more to give
and help others.




Facilitator with hopes or rising through independence rising to become a leader one day. Jessica has
completed her full CDA (child development associate) training, along with countless hour and
certificates in the child development and behavior field. Jessica is certified In AED, first aid and CPR for
other adult and pediatric. Jessica has no. Children of her own however regularly cares for her nieces and
nephews, she also plans to adopt one day. Before coming to independence Rising Jessica was a director
of curriculum and enrollment specialist for the leading child care in Rapid City South Dakota. While there
Jessica regularly worked with children in a range of ages from 4 weeks to 13 years. Jessica is excited to
continue growing her education looking at the trauma of children and getting social work classes.

Courtnie does not have any children of her own, but her family has fostered children for as long as she can remember, and she has a little brother and plenty of younger cousins whom she has regularly helped care for throughout the years.
Prior to working for Independence Rising, Courtnie worked as a Corrections Corporal and had been promoted to Corrections Caseworker during that time. It was during her time as a Caseworker that she realized that working with children and families was what was right for her.
Courtnie has a bright and energetic personality with a positive outlook on life, and she enjoys sharing that with kids to help them through their journey of growth and personal development. Her strengths include teamwork, communication, and being highly detail-oriented.





working at Independence Rising in February of 2022, to gain more knowledge and experience for her future as a social
worker. Her job here at Independence Rising is family support. For most of her life, she has worked with
children and families as a babysitter and spent many years in daycares as a daycare worker. Serenity loves being able to work one on one with the kids and the families. Helping people and being around kids are two things that make her heart happy.


Bachelor’s in Social Work. She will be graduating in May 2023 and plans to continue her
education possibly at the University of Nebraska Lincoln to obtain her master's degree in Social
Work. Mercedes recently started working at Independence Rising in March of 2022, to gain
more experience for her future as a social worker. Her job here at Independence Rising is family
support. For almost her entire life, she has worked with children and families as a babysitter and
for a few years she worked in daycares. Mercedes absolutely adores children and wants to work
and communicate one on one with children and families. Mercedes has always wanted to work
with children and families and looks forward to may new opportunities in the future.







in childcare for 9 years and in home health with special needs adults for 2 years. I am a single mother of two boys. Started with Independence Rising in November 2021.
I enjoy working with children to give them a positive person in their lives and be a change in children’s lives. I grew up not having the greatest positivity around me and become an adult without that was difficult and I want
to be able to help children and families live more positive lives.
I have over 45000 hours of Early Childhood Training 1200 hours of behavioral training with kids and have always had First Aid and CPR. I feel that these trainings have made me a better parent and always encourage other parents
to give it a go. I feel that I am always willing to learn, and grow regardless of the challenges and that would be my biggest credibility.