Children engaged in exciting after-school and summer learning programs. Families, schools, and communities partnering for learner success. Experts in special education providing support and training to school districts nationwide. This is the work of BHSSC’s Community, Family, and Special Services division.
South Dakota Statewide Family Engagement Center (SD SFEC)
The South Dakota Statewide Family Engagement Center (SFEC) unites students, families, schools, and communities together by focusing on learner needs from “cradle to career.”
The South Dakota Statewide Family Engagement Center was made possible by Grant #U310A180043 from the U.S. Department of Education.
Special Education-Focused Professional Development
BHSSC Special Education division offers supports and services to districts that focus on improving special education student outcomes. We use engaging, data-driven, and teacher-focused practices that result in effective change built around a district’s specific individual needs. Our services include tools, professional development, and many other supports.
21st Century Grant Programs
The 21st Century Programs are co-curricular programs that enhance a student’s normal learning opportunities everyday after school and during the summer. The program staff take great pride in implementing up-to-date teaching practices. The programs immerse students in Project-based STEM, Reading, Arts, Music, Physical Education, and Social Emotional Learning activities that they can use outside of the school walls. The programs not only provide a safe and secure setting for children after school, but also give students the opportunity to belong to something bigger than just themselves — a stepping stone to becoming upstanding citizens.
Team Structure at a Glance
Dr. Pam Lange (Director)
Special Education Team
SD SFEC Team
21st Century Team
Rapid City Team
Grant-Writing Team
Dr. Pam Lange – Deputy Executive Director of BHSSC/Director of Community, Family & Special Services
Dr. Pam Lange received her Doctorate in Education Administration from the University of South Dakota. She was named Deputy Executive Director of Black Hills Special Services Cooperative (BHSSC) in January 2018 and serves as Director of the Community, Family, and Special Services Division. She works closely with the five BHSSC Division Directors to coordinate efforts, build capacity, develop programs, and identify funding sources for extensive projects that span the state of South Dakota.
Dr. Lange is considered a change agent among South Dakota’s education community and has served on various South Dakota Department of Education work groups. She was one of 41 individuals selected for the inaugural Leadership South Dakota cohort (2015), serves as an AdvancED Lead Evaluator for national and international schools, is a grant reviewer for the U.S. Department of Education, and serves on various community organization boards.
In her free time, Pam enjoys spending time with her husband, also an educator, her three adult children and their partners, and her grandchildren. She also belongs to a book club made up of current and retired educators and enjoys reading and bantering with her friends about the diverse books they read.
Special Education Team
Kyle Laughlin – RDA Project Manager
Anneke Nelson – RDA Asst. Project Coordinator
RDA Learning Specialists:
Jessie Ahlers
Amy Beasley
Wendy Hodson
Tye Johnson
Kylie Steever
Monica Waltman
SD SFEC Team
Morgan VonHaden – SD SFEC Project Manager
Celina Leman – Learning Associate
SD SFEC Learning Specialists:
Lindsay Frankenfeld
Darbi Hunt
Dana Livermont
Jan Kappelman
Rapid City Team
Kellsie Judge – Family and Community Engagement Coordinator
Jeanne McKenna – Whole Child Coordinator
Jeanne McKenna – Whole Child Coordinator
Grant-Writing Team
Kelsey Smith – Director of Development & Grants Management
June Preszler – Associate Grant Writer
June Preszler – Associate Grant Writer
21st Century Team
Discovery Centers
Desmond Keller – RCAS 21st Century Program Director
Malachi Nelson – Discover the Valley Site Coordinator
Erin Hughes – General Beadle Site Coordinator
Relepha Laughlin – Horace Mann Site Coordinator
Kaitlin Brown – Knollwood Site Coordinator
Malachi Nelson – Discover the Valley Site Coordinator
Erin Hughes – General Beadle Site Coordinator
Relepha Laughlin – Horace Mann Site Coordinator
Kaitlin Brown – Knollwood Site Coordinator
Belle Fourche
TBD – Elementary School Program Coordinator
Kristy Messner – Middle School Program Coordinator
Mary Beth Bevier – High School Program Coordinator
Kristy Messner – Middle School Program Coordinator
Mary Beth Bevier – High School Program Coordinator
Contact Us
Director: Dr. Pam Lange
Phone: (605) 347-4467
Have questions, comments, suggestions or concerns for Community, Family & Special Services? Contact us!
