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Helen E. Usera, Ed. D., Project Director
Dr. Usera serves as the Project Director for the FASD Center. Dr. Usera has a doctorate in educational administration from the University of Kansas and is experienced in the areas of quality improvement, program evaluation, educational leadership, educational research and school and program improvement. She has worked in educational settings as an elementary and middle school teacher, elementary principal, and research assistant for the University of Kansas. Her position as a principal evaluator for the IELE has provided experience as a program evaluator for programs such as Girls Incorporated, Head Start, Early Head Start, and Boys Health Program. Dr. Usera has consulted and provided evaluation services for the Rapid City Area School District, Meade School District, Kids Voting South Dakota, Midwest Alliance for Professional Learning and Leadership (MAPLE), Rapid City Weed & Seed Program and the American Center for Credit Education.
Wes Brown, Information Officer
Wes Brown serves as the Information Officer for the FASD Center. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Speech Communications from Black Hills State University. While serving as the student body president 1994, he was one of eleven student leaders chosen nationwide to attend the Project Interchange seminars at Tel-Aviv University and Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He has over 15 years experience as a photographer, videographer and graphic designer, as well as an extensive background in print and media sales. Prior to attending Black Hills State University he proudly served in the United States Marine Corps from 1980 to 1991.
Nancy Sprynczynatyk, L.P.C.-M.H., Education Specialist
Nancy Sprynczynatyk, a licensed Mental Health Counselor, has worked with diverse populations, in a variety of settings: including agency, hospital, prison, and private practice, for more than twenty years. Nancy co-founded Westwind Consulting Center, a clinic providing mental health services and business consultation. Sprynczynatyk was named North Dakota Counselor of the Year and named Teacher of the Year while at Dickinson State University. She wrote a business column for the Bismarck Tribune and trains thousands of business professionals across the region. Sprynczynatyk is an entrepreneurial and creative individual as evidenced by her successful turnaround of a struggling Women in Transition Program in Missoula, Montana and in her development of first-time projects in Maryland, North and South Dakota; (involving group home living for severe-profound DD population, Federal prison sex offender treatment and economic development in impoverished communities, respectively). Currently, Sprynczynatyk is an adjunct faculty member in the Psychology department at Black Hills State University. She serves on both local and national Red Cross Disaster Response Teams. She was deployed to Louisiana during Hurricane Katrina and recently returned from field experiences in Tanzania, Africa, 2007.
Lin Quah, M.A., Education Specialist
Ms. Quah serves as the Education Specialist for the FASD Center. She is a National Certified Counselor and a Licensed Professional Counselor – Mental Health in South Dakota. She has a masters of arts in Counseling Psychology from University of South Dakota. She has experience working with a variety of populations including traumatic brain injury, developmental disabilities and addiction problems.
