Leadership Team

Ed Young

Executive Director

Ed has led Heartland Boys Home since the beginning, bringing decades of experience in youth services and group home care. His vision and leadership, alongside Mark Billingsley, have shaped Heartland Boys Home into a place where young men working through trauma, chemical dependency, and behavioral issues can find stability, support, and hope for their futures.

Expertise: Program Leadership, Youth Development, Organizational Management

Mark A. Billingsley

Co-Founder & Leadership Team

Mark has been part of the leadership team alongside Ed since the beginning of Heartland Boys Home. Together, they strive for the best care possible for the boys, ensuring that every aspect of the program meets the highest standards of excellence and compassionate care.

Expertise: Program Leadership, Quality Assurance, Strategic Planning

Ryan Schroetlin

Program Director

Ryan is a former YRTC Geneva staff member with deep expertise in the juvenile justice system. His hands-on experience with system-involved youth brings valuable insight to our programming and helps ensure smooth transitions for our residents.

Expertise: Juvenile Justice, Program Development, Case Management

Direct Care Staff

Kathleen E. Coffman

Direct Care Staff

Kathleen provides compassionate direct care to our residents, ensuring their daily needs are met with professionalism and understanding. Her dedication to youth development helps create a supportive environment for healing and growth.

Expertise: Direct Care, Youth Support, Daily Living Skills

Holly J. Davenport

Direct Care Staff - Night Shift

Holly brings experience and empathy to her night shift role, providing overnight supervision and support to ensure residents feel safe and secure during evening hours. Her calm presence helps maintain stability throughout the night.

Expertise: Night Shift Care, Behavioral Support, Crisis Response

Richard M. Turner

Direct Care Staff - Night Shift

Richard provides dedicated overnight care and supervision, ensuring the safety and well-being of residents during night hours. His reliable presence and professional approach help maintain a secure and supportive environment throughout the evening.

Expertise: Night Shift Care, Overnight Supervision, Safety Management

Matthew R. Frey

Direct Care Staff

Matthew provides consistent and reliable direct care services, helping residents navigate their daily challenges while building positive relationships and life skills.

Expertise: Direct Care, Crisis Intervention, Youth Engagement

Tonia S. Frey

Direct Care Staff

Tonia contributes to our direct care team with dedication and professionalism, ensuring that each resident receives the individual attention and support they need for successful outcomes.

Expertise: Direct Care, Individual Support, Relationship Building

Brandon J. Hinrichs

Direct Care Staff

Brandon brings over two decades of experience in juvenile justice, technology, and probation to his direct care role. He combines traditional youth services with innovative approaches to help residents succeed.

Expertise: Direct Care, Technology Integration, Juvenile Justice

Simone M. Lee

Direct Care Staff

Simone provides compassionate direct care services, working with residents to develop essential life skills and positive coping strategies for their future success.

Expertise: Direct Care, Life Skills Development, Youth Advocacy

Joni Payne

Kitchen Manager & Direct Care Staff

Joni manages the kitchen operations, oversees health and nutrition, and provides all meals for the residents. In addition to her culinary responsibilities, she contributes to our direct care team with experience and dedication, helping residents build confidence and develop the skills they need for successful community reintegration.

Expertise: Kitchen Management, Health & Nutrition, Meal Planning, Direct Care, Youth Development

Allen R. Schumacher

Direct Care Staff

Allen has dedicated 19 years to youth programming, bringing extensive experience in mentoring and supporting young people through challenging times. His long tenure reflects his commitment to making a lasting difference in the lives of youth.

Expertise: Direct Care, Youth Mentoring, Long-term Relationship Building

Care Coordination & Support

Schandra M. Paling

Care Coordinator/Clerical/Direct Care

Schandra serves in multiple capacities, coordinating care plans, managing administrative duties, and providing direct care services. Her versatile role ensures seamless communication and coordination across all aspects of our program.

Expertise: Care Coordination, Administrative Support, Direct Care

Educational Team - Berniklau Education Solutions

Scott Allen

Certified Special Education Teacher

Scott leads our educational programming with specialized training in special education. He ensures that each youth receives individualized instruction that meets their unique learning needs and helps them achieve academic success.

Expertise: Special Education, Individualized Learning, Academic Support

Miko Fairy

Special Education Paraprofessional

Miko supports our educational team by providing direct assistance to students with special needs. His dedication to helping youth overcome learning challenges makes him an invaluable part of our educational program.

Expertise: Educational Support, Special Needs Assistance, Student Advocacy

Professional Services

Licensed Therapy Services

We contract with licensed therapists who specialize in working with adolescents and trauma-informed care. Our therapeutic team provides:

  • Individual therapy sessions
  • Group therapy and psychoeducation
  • Family therapy and involvement
  • Crisis intervention and support
  • Substance use counseling
  • Trauma processing and healing

24/7 Youth Care Workers

Our facility maintains around-the-clock supervision with trained youth care workers who provide:

  • Awake overnight supervision
  • Daily living skills support
  • Behavioral intervention and de-escalation
  • Recreational activities and engagement
  • Transportation and community outings
  • Crisis response and safety management

Our Commitment to Excellence

Training & Certification

All staff members receive comprehensive training in:

  • Trauma-informed care principles
  • De-escalation and crisis intervention
  • Child protection and safety protocols
  • Behavioral management techniques
  • First Aid and CPR certification
  • Mandatory reporting requirements

Background & Screening

Every staff member undergoes thorough screening including:

  • Comprehensive background checks
  • Child Abuse Registry clearance
  • Professional reference verification
  • Drug and alcohol screening
  • Ongoing supervision and evaluation
  • Continuing education requirements

Our Approach

Our staff team is united by a shared commitment to:

  • Treating every youth with dignity and respect
  • Building positive, supportive relationships
  • Maintaining high professional standards
  • Continuous learning and improvement
  • Collaborative teamwork and communication
  • Family-centered practice

Professional Development

Ongoing Training & Support

We invest in our staff through continuous professional development opportunities, ensuring they have the latest knowledge and skills to support our youth effectively.

Regular Training Topics

  • Trauma-informed care updates
  • Mental health awareness
  • Educational best practices
  • Substance abuse prevention
  • Cultural competency
  • Technology in youth services

Team Support

  • Regular supervision and mentoring
  • Team meetings and case consultations
  • Peer support and collaboration
  • Professional development opportunities
  • Work-life balance initiatives
  • Recognition and appreciation programs

Join Our Team

Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of young people? We're always looking for dedicated professionals to join our team.