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Sandi Marisdotter, the Executive Director of Family Outreach, has worked at Family Outreach since 1977. Sandi received a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education, 12 graduate hours in education, and a Masters Degree in Psychology from the University of Missouri at Kansas City . During her educational training, Sandi completed many practicums with children and adolescents diagnosed with autism. She has been a teacher in several programs including a self-contained classroom for a Title II school district, an experimental private school for non-graded primary level normal and exceptional children, and for a Homebound Program for children who were not able to attend a classroom situation due to mental or physical disabilities. Sandi also worked at the Boulder River School and Hospital in Boulder Mt as an Habilitation Aide I and as a Training Officer I. She worked as a Family Support Specialist for over ten years for Family Outreach before become the Executive Director in May 1988.

Billie Miller, the Program Manager of the Helena office, has worked at Family Outreach since 1982, first as a Family Support Specialist and then as a Program Manager. She received a BA in Psychology from the University of Montana in 1976 and has since worked in the field of developmental disabilities: at Boulder River School and Hospital (now called the Montana Developmental Center ), for the Developmental Disabilities Program and for the Shodair Group Home for Children with Autism. In 1997 she received the Montana Council for Exceptional Children Teacher of the Year Award, the first Family Support Specialist to receive the honor. Billie holds her Comprehensive Certification as a Family Support Specialist.

Bob Ballard, the Program Manager of the Bozeman office, has worked at Family Outreach since 1988. Previously, he worked as a Family Support Specialist for 8 years at the Family Outreach office in Butte . Bob has 2 degrees, one in Human Services from Metropolitan State College in Denver , and one in Psychology from the University of Montana , Missoula . He has had 13 years experience in adult services to the developmentally disabled. These activities include the management of several group homes, and work in day services as a Senior Applied Behavioral Analyst Specialist at Progress, Inc. in Helena . He has also held positions at The Montana Developmental Center as a Habilitation Training Specialist, and Director of AWARE, Inc. in Anaconda.

Pat Grimm, the Program Manager of the Butte office, has worked at Family Outreach since 1984. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in speech and language therapy from the University of Wisconsin . Pat worked as a speech therapist for a hospital program for one year and worked for a school district program for two years. After receiving her Master’s degree in Education/Early Childhood emphasis from Northern Montana State University Pat worked in early childhood education programs in Havre Mt, Portland Or, and Auburn Wa. She also was a parent and daycare trainer for the Renton Vocational School of Technology in Washington . Recently she has taught a Child Development course for Western Montana University . Pat holds her Comprehensive Certification as a Family Support Specialist, having worked in that capacity for 10 years before becoming the Program Manager.

David Bristow, the Supported Living Manager for Family Outreach, has worked for the agency since 1998. Most of his early education occurred in Iowa , graduating from the University of Iowa in 1977. David moved to Montana in 1979 and was employed with the State of Montana for about 18 years; 11 years at the Montana Developmental Center and 7 years with the Developmental Disabilities Program. He has been a Mandt Instructor since 1986 and has used his experience with the Institute for Applied Behavioral Analysis to assist in troubleshooting behavior support strategies for people in services with Family Outreach.

John Patrick , the Business Manager for Family Outreach is a recent addition to Family Outreach.  As a licensed CPA, he comes with years of accounting experience. 


Phyllis Astheimer, the Direct Staff Employment Manager for Family Outreach, has worked for the agency in a variety of positions, since 1994. She began as a Respite Coordinator and has since held the positions of Family Support Specialist, Family Support Coordinator, Local Employment Coordinator and currently serves the agency as the Direct Staff Employment Manager.  Phyllis has a degree in Speech Communication, with an emphasis in Communication Disorders. She has worked in the field of developmental disabilities, serving both children and adults, since 1970. She has 15 years experience working as an Adult DD Case Manager, Vocational Day Services Specialist, Supported Employment Specialist and Group Home Manager. She worked with Easter Seal Society for 5 years as Program Staff and Summer Camp Activities Director and has volunteered with Special Olympics since 1974.

 

 

 
   

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