Choices For Life – Oklahoma

 

Meet Our Staff

Administration

Doug Fellrath

Doug Fellrath

CEO - President - Executive Director - Choices For Life Foster Care

My staff and I are proud to play a much needed role in helping children in the Therapeutic Foster Care system reach their goal of adoption or reunification. The growing need in this area of specialized care cannot be ignored and it is our goal to find a healthy home for each and every one of these children under our care. I have a great team of trainers and counselors, and I trust in their ability to serve our dedicated Treatment Parent Specialists and children.

Sara Riley, LPC, CPCS, RPT-S, NCC, MAC

Sara Riley, LPC, CPCS, RPT-S, NCC, MAC

President of Choices for Life Foster Care Inc.

Sara has been with Choices For Life of Georgia since 2009. Sara attended Alaska Pacific University in Anchorage, Alaska, where she received her Master of Science in Counseling Psychology. Sara is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Georgia, a Nationally Certified Counselor, a Registered Play Therapist Supervisor, Masters’s Addiction Counselor, Board Certified TeleMental Health Provider, and a Certified Professional Counselor Supervisor (CPCS). She has obtained extensive clinical, assessment, and forensic experience while serving a multitude of culturally diverse populations for over 20 years. Sara has a passion for focusing on the needs of the community and working together to provide needed services through systemic collaborations.

Dustin Newman

Dustin Newman

Controller

After growing up in rural Oklahoma, Dustin moved to Weatherford to attend Southwestern Oklahoma State University. He graduated from SWOSU in December 2004 with a Bachelor’s of Business Administration in Accounting. After college, Dustin began his career working in public accounting and internal auditing. Dustin came to work as the Controller for Choices For Life in March 2011.

Deanna Deleon

Deanna Deleon

Statewide Recruiter/Trainer

Born and raised in Oklahoma City, Deanna went slightly up North to attend the University of Central Oklahoma. There she received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. While in school, Deanna worked in a behavioral therapy clinic as a Registered Behavioral Technician then at a High School as a special education paraprofessional. Deanna joined Choices For Life in 2022. She is a strong advocate for mental health awareness.

John Spangler-Day

John Spangler-Day

Statewide Recruiter/Trainer

John attended the University of Oklahoma in Norman, Okla., and graduated with a Master’s in Social Work in 2018. While there, John began to work toward social causes whose goals were to help people and better lives. During his Master’s program, John interned at the Homeless Alliance of Oklahoma and the Diversity Center of Oklahoma, where he was a case manager and therapist. For a year after graduating, he worked with a consulting firm that provides information, including client voices, to communities fighting to resolve homelessness. John conducted research, staffed client focus groups and organized presentations. John joined Choices For Life in 2020 and enjoys working to help people, raise awareness on LGBTQ+ rights and work to help children have better futures.

Crystal Money

Crystal Money

Director of Training and Recruiting

Crystal has been working with Choices For Life since December 2013. She handles all of the training, recruiting and certifications for the state of Oklahoma. Crystal graduated in 2002 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Communications from Southwest Baptist University. Prior to coming to Choices for Life she worked as a high school teacher and in sales. She loves working with families to get them through the training and certification process and loves that her job involves doing a lot of different things and that every day looks a little different. Crystal is a newlywed and lives in Norman, Okla., with her husband and two puppies, JB and Molly May.

Linda White

Linda White

Accounting Assistant

Linda has been with Choices For Life since November 2011. She graduated from Southeast High School in Oklahoma City and went to Oklahoma City Community College where she has the equivalent of an Associates in Mathematics.

Brittany Williamson

Brittany Williamson

Office Manager

Brittany graduated from the University of Central Oklahoma with a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology-Human Services in 2012. Through her internship she found a passion for the counseling field and helping others. She has worked as an administrator in this field for seven years and is always striving to learn more. She credits her skills to those who have mentored her and guided her along this journey. Brittany is married with a small farm of dogs and cats as part of their family.

Foster Care Staff

Samantha Pleets

Samantha Pleets

Case Manager Supervisor

I have lived in Oklahoma all of my life. I am he eldest of eight children, so it feels like I have been working with children the majority of my life. My first job was in child care. I graduated from St. Gregory’s University in Shawnee in 2008 with Bachelor’s in Social Science. I have worked in Human Resources, Child Care Licensing, Gaming Commission Licensing and Child Welfare as a Permanency Planning Specialist. I love working with children and ensuring they are safe and healthy.

Billie Thompson, MS, LPC-S, RPT

Billie Thompson, MS, LPC-S, RPT

Therapist

Billie G. Thompson is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Board Approved Supervisor, as well as a Registered Play Therapist. Billie graduated from Oklahoma City Community College with her Associate of Arts in Psychology in 1999. She then graduated from the University of Phoenix with her Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration in 2005. From there, she went on to earn her Master of Science in Professional Counseling from Mid-America Christian University in 2012. Billie studied Play Therapy at the Oklahoma Play Therapy Training Institute and received her certification as a Registered Play Therapist from the Association for Play Therapy in September 2018. She has also been a Board-approved Supervisor since 2018. Billie has been married for 27 years. She and her husband have 3 boys, 2 daughters-in-law, and 1 granddaughter.

Laura Dryden

Laura Dryden

Case Manager

Laura graduated from East Central University in 2006 with a Bachelor of Arts in Human Services Counseling. Working on a Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling through South University in Georgia. I worked for Georgia DHS in the Foster Care Child Welfare Specialist before moving back home to Oklahoma. I was an Independent Living Program Coordinator helping teenagers in foster care learn life skills and self- sufficiency and also have worked years in the mental health field. ‎ ‎ I spent 14 years in Oklahoma foster care and aged out at 18. It has driven my passion to ensure children, in foster care, have safety, love, health, permanency, and be successful in life. ‎ I enjoy spending time with my children and fiancé. I enjoy my husky, fishing, gaming, walking trails, and relaxing.

Brandi Heavrin

Brandi Heavrin

Case Manager

I grew up in Moore, OK. I received my associate degree in healthcare administration management then obtained my Bachelor of Management, I am currently working on my master’s to become an LPC, I am an advocate for mental health awareness and want to do all I can for children of trauma. After graduating I worked as a Child Welfare Specialist in Child Protective Services for nearly 6 years. Working with foster children and families is such a rewarding feeling.

Outpatient

Allison Randels MHR, LPC

Allison Randels MHR, LPC

Outpatient Therapist

Allison (Ally) Randels is a licensed professional counselor in Oklahoma City. Ally received her Bachelor of Arts and Master of Human Relations: Clinical Mental Health Counseling at The University of Oklahoma, so she is an OU fan through and through! Boomer! Ally works with children and families ages 3-18+, and enjoys all the fun and excitement that kiddos and teens bring to our world. Her favorite way to play and involve kiddos in session is by getting messy and letting the creative ideas and interactions flow! This can include anything from getting their hands messy with paint and glitter to singing and dancing to their favorite songs! Ally is currently training at the Oklahoma Play Therapy Training Institute in hopes of becoming a Registered Play Therapist. In her time outside of therapy, Ally enjoys traveling the world with her husband and volunteering on the Leadership Council of the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma.

Derielle Howard, LPC

Derielle Howard, LPC

Outpatient Therapist

Derielle is a Licensed Professional Counselor who graduated from the University of Oklahoma with her Bachelors in Psychology and Oklahoma City University with her Masters in Professional Counseling. Derielle is trained in Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) and completes development evaluations. In therapy, Derielle encourages kids (and caregivers) to explore emotions, build healthy communication skills and become their most authentic self. She enjoys working with families and children ages 0-18. In her free time, Derielle loves spending time with her corgi, trying new restaurants with friends, going to OU football games and reading.

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Oklahoma Corporate Office

Visit Us

4911 N. Portland Ave.
Oklahoma City, OK 73112

Call Us

405-751-0800

Fax Us

405-751-6488

Choices For Life Foster Care – Oklahoma

Choices For Life of Georgia