PRESIDENT Kay Burtzloff
Kay Burtzloff was one of the founding members of the Liberal Area Coalition for Families in 2001. She retired after serving more than 14 years as the Executive Director of the Seward County United Way in May 2015. Prior to moving to Liberal in 2000, she spent 16 years in higher education public relations at Cottey College, Northern State University and the University of Kansas. She also was a newspaper reporter and editor for five years prior to that. She has served as an adjunct instructor in communications at Cottey College, Northern State University, Butler County Community College, Newman University, and Seward County Community College, teaching journalism, speech, theater and interpersonal communication. In addition to being president of the Coalition, she is also the president of the High Plains Heritage Foundation and the Southwest Symphony Society and is active in several civic organizations. She served as a public relations consultant on political campaigns, capital campaigns, public relations campaigns, crisis communication and strategic planning. She has a master's degree in Communications from the University of Arkansas and is a trained large and small group facilitator.
Kay Burtzloff was one of the founding members of the Liberal Area Coalition for Families in 2001. She retired after serving more than 14 years as the Executive Director of the Seward County United Way in May 2015. Prior to moving to Liberal in 2000, she spent 16 years in higher education public relations at Cottey College, Northern State University and the University of Kansas. She also was a newspaper reporter and editor for five years prior to that. She has served as an adjunct instructor in communications at Cottey College, Northern State University, Butler County Community College, Newman University, and Seward County Community College, teaching journalism, speech, theater and interpersonal communication. In addition to being president of the Coalition, she is also the president of the High Plains Heritage Foundation and the Southwest Symphony Society and is active in several civic organizations. She served as a public relations consultant on political campaigns, capital campaigns, public relations campaigns, crisis communication and strategic planning. She has a master's degree in Communications from the University of Arkansas and is a trained large and small group facilitator.
VICE-PRESIDENT Leslie Bissell
Dr. Leslie Bissell earned both her Masters of Arts degree and Doctor of Psychology degree in Clinical Psychology from Wheaton College, Wheaton IL in 2003. As a clinical psychologist, she has served in a variety of settings including the state psychiatric hospital, college counseling center, private practice sector, and community mental health center system. In 2008 she moved to Liberal, Kansas to join the staff of Southwest Guidance Center as the Clinical Director then in 2012 she assumed her current role as Executive Director. As an advocate for mental illness recovery, Dr. Bissell also has a desire to use her clinical skills to empower faith based organizations and other community partners to meet the needs of the underserved. Her current passion also involves the education of others to the importance of good mental health, decreasing the barrier of mental health stigma, and ensuring adequate professional behavioral health resources are available to the rural/frontier residents of Seward, Stevens, Meade, and Haskell Counties. Dr. Bissell has been a member of the LACF since 2008 and has served as its vice president since 2015.
Dr. Leslie Bissell earned both her Masters of Arts degree and Doctor of Psychology degree in Clinical Psychology from Wheaton College, Wheaton IL in 2003. As a clinical psychologist, she has served in a variety of settings including the state psychiatric hospital, college counseling center, private practice sector, and community mental health center system. In 2008 she moved to Liberal, Kansas to join the staff of Southwest Guidance Center as the Clinical Director then in 2012 she assumed her current role as Executive Director. As an advocate for mental illness recovery, Dr. Bissell also has a desire to use her clinical skills to empower faith based organizations and other community partners to meet the needs of the underserved. Her current passion also involves the education of others to the importance of good mental health, decreasing the barrier of mental health stigma, and ensuring adequate professional behavioral health resources are available to the rural/frontier residents of Seward, Stevens, Meade, and Haskell Counties. Dr. Bissell has been a member of the LACF since 2008 and has served as its vice president since 2015.
SECRETARY Kathy Bloom
Kathy Bloom has been a member of the Coalition since 2007. She recently retired as Family Consumer Science Agent with K-State Research and Extension. She has a bachelors degree in Family Relations and Human Development from Kansas State University. She is co-owner of Bloom Family Farms.
As a member of the community since 1983, Kathy has served on various boards and committees including: USD 480 school board, Seward County and Kansas Farm Bureau, Citizens for a Healthy Environment, Leadership Liberal, 4-H Club Leader, First Presbyterian Church, and Community Concerts.
Kathy Bloom has been a member of the Coalition since 2007. She recently retired as Family Consumer Science Agent with K-State Research and Extension. She has a bachelors degree in Family Relations and Human Development from Kansas State University. She is co-owner of Bloom Family Farms.
As a member of the community since 1983, Kathy has served on various boards and committees including: USD 480 school board, Seward County and Kansas Farm Bureau, Citizens for a Healthy Environment, Leadership Liberal, 4-H Club Leader, First Presbyterian Church, and Community Concerts.
TREASURER Diane Hensley
Diane has been a member of the Liberal Area Coalition of Families since 2007. She retired from USD #480 in 2016 after 39 years in the positions of Speech/Language Pathologist, Evenstart Director, and District Parent and Family Liasion.
Diane earned her Bachelor of Arts in Education and a Masters in Communication Disorders and Sciences from Wichita State University. Early childhood education, family engagement, and community involvement opportunities have been an important focus for her.
Diane has served on various community boards including; Kids Inc, Lincoln Parent/Teacher Association, Parents and Children Together Inc., Liberal Latchkey, Kansas Children's Service League Community Development Council, and USD #480 Early Childhood Advisory Board.
Diane and her husband, Bryan, are the parents of 5 sons and proud grandparents of 10.
Diane has been a member of the Liberal Area Coalition of Families since 2007. She retired from USD #480 in 2016 after 39 years in the positions of Speech/Language Pathologist, Evenstart Director, and District Parent and Family Liasion.
Diane earned her Bachelor of Arts in Education and a Masters in Communication Disorders and Sciences from Wichita State University. Early childhood education, family engagement, and community involvement opportunities have been an important focus for her.
Diane has served on various community boards including; Kids Inc, Lincoln Parent/Teacher Association, Parents and Children Together Inc., Liberal Latchkey, Kansas Children's Service League Community Development Council, and USD #480 Early Childhood Advisory Board.
Diane and her husband, Bryan, are the parents of 5 sons and proud grandparents of 10.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Sarah M. Foreman
Sarah Foreman has been Executive Director of LACF since 2011. Sarah graduated from Friends University with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Christian Studies. She then obtained her Masters of Social Work from Washburn University. She has been approved by the BSRB to sit for the clinical LSCSW exam. Sarah has been in the Liberal community since 2006. Prior to leading LACF, she served at Southwest Guidance Center as a therapist. She loves to see other families thrive and connect community resources. Sarah has locally served on the Early Childhood Advisory Board for USD 480, Baker Arts Center, and Community Council for KCSL and is active in her church.
Sarah Foreman has been Executive Director of LACF since 2011. Sarah graduated from Friends University with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Christian Studies. She then obtained her Masters of Social Work from Washburn University. She has been approved by the BSRB to sit for the clinical LSCSW exam. Sarah has been in the Liberal community since 2006. Prior to leading LACF, she served at Southwest Guidance Center as a therapist. She loves to see other families thrive and connect community resources. Sarah has locally served on the Early Childhood Advisory Board for USD 480, Baker Arts Center, and Community Council for KCSL and is active in her church.
COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR Adriane Hatcher
Adriane has been part-time with the Coalition since 2016. Her most frequent full-time work experience was as Executive Director of Liberal’s Baker Arts Center. Adriane has a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from Fort Hays State University and a Certificate of Portrait Photography from the Art Institute of Pittsburg and also maintains a part-time photography business. Adriane volunteers for the Satanta Area Arts Council in Satanta as Vice-President and grant writer, Seward County 4-H as Photography project leader and former extension board member, and the First Southern Baptist Church of Liberal where her family attends. Adriane is primarily a stay-at-home mom. She also assists her husband in his career as salesman for Pioneer Seed, and drag racing across the nation as a hobby.
Adriane has been part-time with the Coalition since 2016. Her most frequent full-time work experience was as Executive Director of Liberal’s Baker Arts Center. Adriane has a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from Fort Hays State University and a Certificate of Portrait Photography from the Art Institute of Pittsburg and also maintains a part-time photography business. Adriane volunteers for the Satanta Area Arts Council in Satanta as Vice-President and grant writer, Seward County 4-H as Photography project leader and former extension board member, and the First Southern Baptist Church of Liberal where her family attends. Adriane is primarily a stay-at-home mom. She also assists her husband in his career as salesman for Pioneer Seed, and drag racing across the nation as a hobby.
SPF PROJECT COORDINATOR Charity Horinek
Charity Horinek is the Project Coordinator for the SPF alcohol prevention grant. She is the Executive Director of Alumni Engagement and Grant Development at Seward County Community College, and has a Master’s degree in Liberal Studies as well as a Bachelor’s degree in Communications/Journalism with a minor in Political Science from Fort Hays State University. She also holds a Bachelor’s in Theology/Pastoral Ministry from Newman University and certifications in grant writing and program evaluation. Prior to coming to SCCC, she was a grant writer for Southwest Plains Regional Service Center for nearly 14 years, designing programs and procuring funding for school districts in Western Kansas and beyond. Charity lives in Sublette, where she serves as Haskell Township Trustee overseeing the public library and fire departments, is a club leader for Cloverleaf 4-H in Satanta, is a countywide leader for the rabbit, cat, horticulture, and leadership 4-H projects, and serves on the Haskell County Extension PDC, the Sublette Elementary PTO Executive Board, the Sublette Afterschool Program Advisory Board, and the High Plains Heritage Foundation Board. She and her husband Mark have six children ranging in age from 21-7, and are passionate about their church and family activities.
Charity Horinek is the Project Coordinator for the SPF alcohol prevention grant. She is the Executive Director of Alumni Engagement and Grant Development at Seward County Community College, and has a Master’s degree in Liberal Studies as well as a Bachelor’s degree in Communications/Journalism with a minor in Political Science from Fort Hays State University. She also holds a Bachelor’s in Theology/Pastoral Ministry from Newman University and certifications in grant writing and program evaluation. Prior to coming to SCCC, she was a grant writer for Southwest Plains Regional Service Center for nearly 14 years, designing programs and procuring funding for school districts in Western Kansas and beyond. Charity lives in Sublette, where she serves as Haskell Township Trustee overseeing the public library and fire departments, is a club leader for Cloverleaf 4-H in Satanta, is a countywide leader for the rabbit, cat, horticulture, and leadership 4-H projects, and serves on the Haskell County Extension PDC, the Sublette Elementary PTO Executive Board, the Sublette Afterschool Program Advisory Board, and the High Plains Heritage Foundation Board. She and her husband Mark have six children ranging in age from 21-7, and are passionate about their church and family activities.
IVEG Outreach Coordinator Debra Huddleston
Debra Huddleston is an Outreach Coordinator with the Kansas Health Foundation Integrated Voter Engagement Grant, funded by the Kansas Health Foundation for the purpose of building a concentrated, multi-generational effort to increase voter registration and turnout in Seward County.
Debra has been a proud resident of Liberal since 1970. While working as Job/Business Developer for the Southeast Asian Refugee program, and later as Assistant to the Dean of Continuing Education and Community Services, she attended Seward County Community College and the Friends University outreach program. She recently retired from Cimarron Pathology/District 6 Coroner's Office after 13 ½ years as office manager, purchasing agent, HIPPA Officer, and Safety Officer. Debra has always been active in her community, serving on the Boards of Liberal Area Network for Adolescent Psychology and Parental Involvement, Mother-to-Mother Ministry, the Southwest Kansas Humane Society, and Great Plains Angels for Animals. She volunteered as an AARP Tax Aide volunteer for the IRS for six years (preparing and e-filing income taxes for low-income and elderly taxpayers), as a counselor for the Senior Health Insurance Counseling for Kansans program (counseling seniors about Medicare, media policies, long-term care insurance, and prescription drug programs), and as an advocate for the Liberal Area Rape Crisis and Domestic Violence Services.
Debra Huddleston is an Outreach Coordinator with the Kansas Health Foundation Integrated Voter Engagement Grant, funded by the Kansas Health Foundation for the purpose of building a concentrated, multi-generational effort to increase voter registration and turnout in Seward County.
Debra has been a proud resident of Liberal since 1970. While working as Job/Business Developer for the Southeast Asian Refugee program, and later as Assistant to the Dean of Continuing Education and Community Services, she attended Seward County Community College and the Friends University outreach program. She recently retired from Cimarron Pathology/District 6 Coroner's Office after 13 ½ years as office manager, purchasing agent, HIPPA Officer, and Safety Officer. Debra has always been active in her community, serving on the Boards of Liberal Area Network for Adolescent Psychology and Parental Involvement, Mother-to-Mother Ministry, the Southwest Kansas Humane Society, and Great Plains Angels for Animals. She volunteered as an AARP Tax Aide volunteer for the IRS for six years (preparing and e-filing income taxes for low-income and elderly taxpayers), as a counselor for the Senior Health Insurance Counseling for Kansans program (counseling seniors about Medicare, media policies, long-term care insurance, and prescription drug programs), and as an advocate for the Liberal Area Rape Crisis and Domestic Violence Services.
HEALTHY COMMUNITIES INITIATIVE COORDINATOR Susan Lukwago
Susan Lukwago, PhD, RD has been a member of the Liberal Area Coalition for Families (LACF) for 10 years. During that time she has served as Coordinator of the Chronic Disease Risk Reduction Grant (funded by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment), Co-Coordinator of the Healthy Communities Initiative (funded by Kansas Health Foundation) and Coordinator of an Impact Grant to promote breastfeeding support among early childcare and education providers (funded by the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund). She has also assisted with grant writing for the LACF and served as Secretary for the LACF.
Susan is also a contracted employee of Seward County Health Department as well as 11 other health departments in Southwest Kansas. She was a founding co-owner of Spencer Browne’s Coffee House here in Liberal until February 2017. Along with serving on the Board of United Way, Susan served on the Board of Stepping Stone Shelter and is a member of First United Methodist Church of Liberal. Susan is a vegetarian who loves to exercise, to do jigsaw puzzles and to support public radio.
Susan Lukwago, PhD, RD has been a member of the Liberal Area Coalition for Families (LACF) for 10 years. During that time she has served as Coordinator of the Chronic Disease Risk Reduction Grant (funded by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment), Co-Coordinator of the Healthy Communities Initiative (funded by Kansas Health Foundation) and Coordinator of an Impact Grant to promote breastfeeding support among early childcare and education providers (funded by the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund). She has also assisted with grant writing for the LACF and served as Secretary for the LACF.
Susan is also a contracted employee of Seward County Health Department as well as 11 other health departments in Southwest Kansas. She was a founding co-owner of Spencer Browne’s Coffee House here in Liberal until February 2017. Along with serving on the Board of United Way, Susan served on the Board of Stepping Stone Shelter and is a member of First United Methodist Church of Liberal. Susan is a vegetarian who loves to exercise, to do jigsaw puzzles and to support public radio.
BOOKKEEPER/LEARN & PLAY FACILITATOR Marilyn Svaty
Originally from Managua, Nicaragua, Marilyn moved to the United States with her family when she was two years old. Raised and educated in Liberal, Kansas, she graduated from Liberal High School in 2006 before attending Seward County Community College. Both during and after her years in school, Marilyn worked as an insurance salesman. Although she still works in the insurance industry part-time, children and early education have always been her passion, which is why she was excited to accept the role of Learn and Play Coordinator in the spring of 2016. Within the year, Marilyn expanded her involvement with the coalition taking the responsibility of bookkeeper as well. Aside from her work with the coalition, Marilyn’s days are filled with her husband and four wonderful children: Caleb, Cairo, Zoe and Atticus. She also volunteers at her church, First Baptist, leading the Cubbies group at AWANA and singing in the worship band.
Originally from Managua, Nicaragua, Marilyn moved to the United States with her family when she was two years old. Raised and educated in Liberal, Kansas, she graduated from Liberal High School in 2006 before attending Seward County Community College. Both during and after her years in school, Marilyn worked as an insurance salesman. Although she still works in the insurance industry part-time, children and early education have always been her passion, which is why she was excited to accept the role of Learn and Play Coordinator in the spring of 2016. Within the year, Marilyn expanded her involvement with the coalition taking the responsibility of bookkeeper as well. Aside from her work with the coalition, Marilyn’s days are filled with her husband and four wonderful children: Caleb, Cairo, Zoe and Atticus. She also volunteers at her church, First Baptist, leading the Cubbies group at AWANA and singing in the worship band.