About PCYS

A little bit about who we are



Payne County Youth Services was established in 1972 to provide programming for youth and families struggling with issues of adolescence. From a humble but important beginning of 2 dedicated and professional staff, PCYS has grown to be a respected and well-known resource for youth and families in the Payne and Pawnee County areas, employing approximately 22 people. PCYS is a Designated Youth Services Agency, and Member in Good Standing of the Oklahoma Association of Youth Services. PCYS is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitative Facilities (CARF), and is certified by the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. PCYS enjoys a robust relationship with social service providers and the educational community throughout the area. We are the only agency in the area that provides services with no restriction to services based on the service recipient's inability or refusal to pay for such services.

Program services include individual, family, crisis intervention, and group counseling for both mental health and substance abuse issues. Intervention, prevention, and diversion services include anger management, the First Offender/Skills for Success program, parenting education for parents of adolescents, substance abuse group psychoeducational program, Jumpstart WIA program, Victims of Crime (VOCA) counseling and advocacy services, Safe Place program, Community At-Risk (CARS) home-based counseling, outreach counseling provided in the public schools, and emergency sheltering for youth. Please click here for more about information our programs and services.

Payne County ranks in the top 20 counties in Oklahoma for child abuse and neglect confirmations. PCYS operates the only emergency youth shelter in Payne County. Each year, we provide for approximately 250 young people.

Many families with adolescents need counseling but cannot afford the cost. PCYS is the only agency in Payne County that has no restriction of access to services based on the services recipient's inability or refusal to pay for such services.

A survey indicated that 37% of high school seniors admitted to getting drunk in the last 30 days. 21% of high school seniors have used marijuana in the last thirty days. PCYS provides free outpatient substance abuse counseling for youth in Payne County.


Staff

Janet Fultz, NCC, MS, LPC
Job Title: Executive Director
Ms. Fultz is a Stillwater native, and earned her degrees at Oklahoma State University. Janet holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology and a Masters of Science in Community Counseling. Janet has been employed at PCYS since 2000 in various capacities as a Nationally Board Certified, Licensed Professional Counselor, most recently serving as the Clinical Director before stepping into her present position. She is the proud mother of four daughters and grandmother of four grandchildren.

Wesley Horne, BS
Job Title: Business Manager
Mr. Horne is a 2000 Stillwater H.S. graduate. In 2005, Wes received his Bachelors of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis in Finance from Oklahoma State University. He joined PCYS staff in 2007. He and his wife have been married for 6 years and have one son. Leisurely activities he enjoys are spending time with his family, reading, athletics and watching movies.

Kimberly Simmons Coates, MS
Job Title: Shelter Director
Mrs. Simmons-Coates is a native of Wewoka and a graduate of Oklahoma State University where she received her BA in Family Relations & Child Development and a MA in Child Development. In the past, Kimberly worked with the First Offender Program, WIA and TLP programs at PCYS. She has recently returned to be the Shelter Director. She and her husband enjoy OSU athletic events and are avid supporters.

Melissa Utley, NCC, MS, LPC, LADC
Job Title: Clinical Director
After graduating from Oklahoma State University in December 2003 with a Bachelor of Science Degree, Mrs. Utley went on to acquire a Masters Degree in Community Counseling from OSU in July 2006. Melissa joined the clinical staff at PCYS following her internship there. She received her LPC in March 2008. Melissa has lived in Stillwater since 2000, and continues to reside in the community, where she and her husband, Jason, have recently welcomed their first child.

Jorge Blanco
Job Title: Youth Guidance Specialist

Brittney Bradley
Job Title: Youth Guidance Specialist

Michael Capshaw
Job Title: Youth Guidance Specialist

Ivy Collier
Job Title: Youth Guidance Specialist

Tiffani Dilworth
Job Title: Youth Guidance Specialist

Andrea Drain-Langston
Job Title: Administrative Assistant
Mrs. Drain-Langston attended Oklahoma State University and received a BFA in Graphic Design. Raised in Stillwater for most of her childhood, Andrea returned from the East Coast in 2004. She enjoys the small hometown pace, being with her family, traveling, reading and anything technological.

Deborah Eck, MS, LMFT Candidate
Job Title: Youth & Family Counselor
After graduating from Oklahoma State University in May 2006 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology, Ms. Eck went on to acquire a Masters Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from OSU in December 2008. Deborah was a therapy intern for PCYS from January 2008 until being hired as a clinical staff member in January 2009. Deborah is the Youth and Family Counselor at PCYS and also leads the Parenting Group.

Brad Epperson, MS, LPC
Job Title: VOCA Counselor
Mr. Epperson is a native of Southwestern Oklahoma. In 2003 Brad earned his Bachelors of Science in Psychology followed by his Masters of Counseling in 2006, both from Oklahoma State University. He was hired in February 2008 at PCYS. Brad brings 3 years pervious experience working with children age 12 -18. Aside from working with adolescents, Brad enjoys movies, reading, fishing, and spending time with his wife and two dogs.

Angie Freeny, BA, MS
Job Title: Skills for Success Coordinator, Safe Place Coordinator, SWAT Coordinator
Mrs. Freeny is a native to Stillwater and a graduate of Oklahoma State University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology and a Master of Science Degree in Education. Angie has been with Payne County Youth Services since September of 2005. Angie has been married to Duane for 10 years and they have one son.

Jeremy Frutchey, BA
Job Title: WIA Coordinator
Mr. Frutchey is a graduate of OSU with a Bachelors of Arts Degree in Psychology. Jeremy has been with PCYS since February 2007, working in the WIA program. He has been in Stillwater since 2001, after leaving his hometown of Choctaw, OK. Jeremy enjoys spending leisure time at the lake, playing Frisbee, golfing, or passionately watching OSU sports. Go Pokes!

Loretta Hendrix
Job Title: Youth Guidance Specialist

Linda Parks
Job Title: Administrative Assistant/Personnel
Mrs. Parks graduated from Drumright HS and NEO A&M College in Miami. Linda was employed by Cities Services Oil Company in Tulsa for 18 years before moving to Atlanta, GA in 1988. In 1998 she and her husband, Robert of 26 years, returned to Oklahoma and settled in Stillwater. She came to PCYS after working three years in HR at Stillwater Medical Center. Some of her personal enjoyments are organizing a music association for church and civic events and being a loving "mama" to 3 cats.

Rene Toles
Job Title: YGS Supervisor
Ms. Toles has been with the agency for 15 years and is a tireless and dedicated advocate for the youth and families we serve. Rene is the mother of 3 and grandmother of 5 and enjoys spending time with her family and grandchildren.

Board of Directors

Anne Greenwood (Chairperson)
Anne is an avid OSU supporter and is active in many philanthropic activities. As Chair of the Women for Oklahoma State University Leadership and Philanthropy Council, Anne is very familiar with the needs of the community and how one person can make a difference. Anne and her husband, Mike, moved to Stillwater in 2007 happily settling into her retirement after 30 years of being a corporate accountant.While in Tulsa, she served for 7 years on the Tulsa Area United Way Fund Distribution Committee, on the board of Tulsa Speech and Hearing Association including learning sign language and chairing a Christmas party for the children with a Santa who could sign and communicate with the deaf kids.Mike and Anne are life members of the OSU Alumni Association and members of OSU-Tulsa President's Council. Anne serves as a Board member for Friends of the OSU Library and Executive Committee member for Coaches vs. Cancer here in Stillwater We are grateful that Anne has decided to make PCYS a part of her giving spirit by serving on our Board of Directors. Welcome Anne!

Don Sosbee (Vice Chair)
Mr. Sosbee has been a board member since November 2006. Don was previously employed by PCYS as the coordinator of the Power of One Mentoring program. He spent 25 years in the juvenile justice field with the State of Oklahoma, retiring in January 2001 from the Office of Juvenile Affairs. At the time of his retirement he was the District C Supervisor for seven counties in north central Oklahoma. Don and his wife have made their home in Stillwater since 1985.

Dustin Shanks (Treasurer)
Dustin attended Oklahoma State University where he received a BS in Agri-Business in 2005. He has been with ONB Bank since November 2007. He is also a member of the Morning Breakfast Kiwanis. He enjoys helping the citizens of Stillwater, but most off all enjoys spending time with his wife and daughter.

Bob Burk (Board Member)
Reared in Denver, Colorado, Mr. Burk attended and graduated from the University of Arizona, where he met his wife, Norma. He has two children, and four grandchildren. Bob worked for Phillips Petroleum Company in Bartsville for 8 years and was self-employed with Burk Oil Co. for 35 years. Currently, Bob is a management consultant. He is a dedicated member of the PCYS board serving for 20 years.

Craig Carter (Board Member)

Lee Denney (Board Member)
Mrs. Denny attended Oklahoma State University and received a BS in Agricultural Economics and a DVM in Veterinary Medicine. She currently serves in the House of Representatives for District 33 (Rep). She has served in many positions including serving as Assistant Majority Floor Leader, on committees for Arts & Culture, Education & Energy, and others. She has been married for 28 years and has two children.

Norman McNickle (Board Member)
Mr. McNickle is currently Chief of Police for the Stillwater, Oklahoma Police Department. Norman started his career with the department in 1976 and was promoted to Chief in 1987. He graduated from Oklahoma State University and attended the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia. Norman is active in numerous civic and law enforcement organizations, and has resided in Stillwater for 35 years.

John Mills (Board Member)
Mr. Mills has been a part of PCYS since 1978. A retired public school educator and principal of the Stillwater Middle School, John has taught at various locations including OKC, Liberia (W. Africa), Ripley and Stillwater. He is a graduate of Oklahoma State University. John enjoys being active in community affairs and is active with a number of boards and memberships including Stillwater Sister Cities.

Jamie Payne (Board Member)
Mrs. Payne is a life-long Oklahoman who has dedicated her life to serving others. Jamie has many years of human Resources experience and is currently employed as a Human Resources Director for the OSU Foundation. Jamie is a graduate of Oklahoma State University with a degree in Business Administration and is certified as a Professional in Human Resources Management. She is a long-term member and past president of Stillwater Area Human Resources Association and has served on the Payne County Board of Directors since 2000. Jamie is married to Tony and they have three beautiful children. Jamie enjoys traveling, gardening and OSU sports.

RuthAnn Sirbaugh (Board Member)
RuthAnn McCarthy Sirbaugh is the Director of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at OSU, College of Education. Prior to joining the College of Education, Sirbaugh owned and operated a tutorial center in Stillwater, serving a diverse population of clientele. She administered grant programs through the Workforce Development initiative that offered school sessions for those teenagers adjudicated delinquent or deprived; and worked with area school children. Sirbaugh also volunteered with Juvenile Services for 3 years.

Sirbaugh also worked as an academic advisor at OSU for Athletic Services for eight years. She hired and trained the tutorial staff, assessed reading and math levels of at-risk student-athletes and developed prescriptive remediation services for over 350 student-athletes per semester.

Sirbaugh holds a Master's Degree in Educational Psychology from Oklahoma State University.

David Spivey (Board Member)
Owner, Texas Roadhouse

Advisory Board for Sustainability and Public Awareness

Larry Brown
Larry Brown is the President/Chief Executive Office of the Stillwater Chamber of Commerce. Brown came to the Stillwater Chamber following retirement from AT&T. Brown had almost 30 years of service with the phone company, starting in Tulsa with the former Southwestern Bell Telephone Company. Browns career included stints in Tulsa, McAlester and Stillwater.

As the President/ CEO of the Stillwater Chamber, Brown manages a staff of nine. He has responsibility for the day to day operations of the chamber. Additionally, Brown is responsible for managing the economic development program for the City of Stillwater, managing the Convention and Visitors Bureau, serves as secretary of the Stillwater Industrial Foundation, and secretary of the Stillwater Foundation for Progress.

Brown has a distinguished civic record. He has served as President of the Oklahoma 4-H Foundation, President of Stillwater Area United Way, served on the Salvation Army Board of Directors, the Stillwater Community Center Advisory Board, Main Street Ponca City and The Pleasant Valley School Board of Directors, to name a few.

Brown was elected Mayor of Stillwater in 1999 after serving as Stillwater City Commissioner and Vice Mayor from 1988 to 1995. Brown is a 1991 graduate of Oklahoma State University and a graduate of Leadership Oklahoma Class XX. Brown and his wife Sue have 4 children and 2 grandchildren. He is an avid motorcyclist, golfer and musician.

Kelly Burley
Kelly Burley serves as Executive Director of KOSU, the NPR station serving central Oklahoma at 91.7 and northeastern Oklahoma at 107.5. Burley received his BS in Broadcast Journalism, News and Public Affairs, from Oklahoma State University in 1990, and an MS in Mass Communications from OSU in 1998. Kelly first joined KOSU in 1990, first as a reporter, then news director and program director. During that time, he won three national Edward R. Murrow awards from the Radio Television News Directors Association, the National Journalism Award from the Scripps Howard Foundation and two national awards from Public Radio News Directors Inc., a national organization that supports public radio news professionals. Kelly also taught broadcast news writing and radio production at Oklahoma State University in 1998-99. He also served as Associate State Director for AARP Oklahoma from 2003-2007. Kelly lives in Stillwater with his wife, Lisa. They have two children, Clint and Kara

Ann Caine, Ph.D.
The Stillwater Board of Education approved the selection of Dr. Ann Caine as Superintendent of Stillwater Public Schools on February 25, 2008. Dr. Caine earned bachelor and master degrees from Kansas State University and her doctorate in Educational Administration from Oklahoma State University. She has been an educator for 31 years as a teacher, principal and administrator with Putnam City and Moore, Oklahoma school districts. She began her teaching career in Junction City, KS.

Dr. Caine has been married to her husband, Tracy for 30 years. They have two children: daughter, Laura, a 2005 graduate of OSU who currently works in the oil and gas field, and son, Chris, who graduated in sports management from OSU last December.

Tawny Dotson
Tawny Dotson is the Director, Strategic Communications at Meridian Technology Center where she is responsible for community outreach and public relations for the school. She is married to US Air Force Captain Trace Dotson and is the mother of two boys, Hayden, 4, and Max, 22 months. Tawny began her career in communications in the US Air Force as a Public Affairs Officer. She was honorably discharged after 6 years of service. During her time on active duty she served as a media relations officer for the internment of President Ronald Reagan, deployed for Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom and completed a press advance tour for President George W. Bush. Her bachelors degree comes from Washington State University.

Shyla Eggers
Shyla Eggers is the Director of Public Relations for Stillwater Medical Center. Shyla grew up in Enid, OK and moved to Stillwater in 1986 to attend OSU, where she graduated with a degree in journalism in December 1990. She has been the Director of Public Relations for Stillwater Medical Center since October 1999.

Shyla has served on the United Way Board of Directors, the Richmond Parent Teacher Organization and the Leadership Tomorrow Planning Committee. She is a graduate of Leadership Stillwater Class 14.

In her spare time, Shyla enjoys going to the lake with her family. She has been married to her husband, Rick, for 20 years and they have two children, Alexandra, age 16 and Emily, age 10.

Ann Halligan
Ann received her BS in Business Education at Texas Tech University. Her work experience includes being a legal secretary, a high school business teacher and a licensed real estate agent. She has served on the Boards of Stillwater Medical Center, Stillwater Area United Way, Tulsa Ballet, Girls Scouts, Stillwater Medical Center Foundation, OSU Friends of Library, and OSU Friends of Music. She has also been a sorority financial advisor and on the KOSU advisory board.

Ann is married and has 3 married sons and 8 grandchildren. Her hobbies include walking, gardening, music and travel.

Ann Hargis
Ann Hargis became the "First Lady", or "First Cowgirl", of Oklahoma State University when her husband, Burns, took office as the 18th President of the OSU System on March 10, 2008.

Mrs. Hargis is an active and successful ambassador for OSU. In addition to partnering with President Hargis on many activities, she is active across the campus and community. On the OSU campus, Ann is involved with Friends of the Library, Friends of Music, Lahoma Club and she is sharing her love for physical fitness by teaching a yoga class to OSU faculty and staff.

In the Stillwater community, Mrs. Hargis is active with the Stillwater Public Education Foundation, Make-a-Wish Foundation State Board, the Stillwater Children's Museum and Payne County Youth Services.

A native of Dallas, Mrs. Hargis earned her bachelor's degree in math and Latin from the University of Texas. She worked a number of years in the information technology industry and advertising and marketing.

Prior to coming to Stillwater, Ann was actively involved in various community and volunteer work in Oklahoma City in an assortment of areas, including health and children's issues and the arts. She was a member of Leadership Oklahoma Class V.

Mrs. Hargis and her husband have two married children - son Matt and his wife Michelle, and daughter Kate Haas and her husband Richard; and three grandchildren - Peighton, Preston and Oliver.

Kent Houck
Owner, Houck Agency

Carrie Winterowd, Ph.D.
OSU Associate Professor, School of Applied Health and Educational Psychology

Jarrod Marcum Noftsger
A resident of Payne County since 1988, Jarrod Marcum-Noftsger is Assistant Director of Human Development and Family Science within the College of Human Environmental Sciences at Oklahoma State University. Jarrod studied at Oklahoma State earning a Bachelors degree in History and a Masters degree in Counseling and Student Development. He specializes in undergraduate education with an emphasis in the education of college freshmen. His wife Wendy is an 18 year veteran teacher with Stillwater Public Schools and they have two children, Aaron 12 and Alec 10. Jarrod and Wendy are Life members of the OSU Alumni Association.

Pam Nelson
Pam Nelson joined the Stillwater NewsPress as publisher in Feb. 2008 after nine years as publisher of the Woodward News in Northwest Oklahoma.

Prior to becoming a publisher, Nelson was advertising manager at the Woodward News and she also has extensive experience in retail business.

Pam's husband Terry retired in November 2008 from the OSU Extension service after 31 years as a director in several western Oklahoma communities. The Nelsons have two children, daughter Corley Snow, an OSU graduate who is married and teaching in Walters Oklahoma, and son Brock Nelson, who is in his second year at OSU.

John Romans, Ph.D.
John S. C. Romans, Ph.D. is the Head of the School of Applied Health and Educational Psychology in the College of Education at Oklahoma State University, and is a licensed HSP Psychologist in the state of Oklahoma. He holds a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Kansas, a Masters degree in Counseling from the University of Iowa, and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Iowa State University. He moved to Stillwater with his wife Connie in 1990 to join OSU faculty in the Counseling Psychology program. He has served in a variety of administrative roles at OSU including Counseling Area Coordinator, Associate School Head, and Associate Dean. Dr. Romans' research interests include stalking and interpersonal violence, counseling with adolescents, and clinical supervision. He has enjoyed working with the PCYS staff over the years, and has supervised many of the student interns at the agency. He lives in Stillwater with Connie, and teen children Andrew and Sarah.

Dustin Russell
Dustin Russell is an active senior at Oklahoma State University. Currently, he is President of Psychology Club, a founding member of OSSO, and an undergraduate research assistant in the self-regulation laboratory at OSU. Dustin will be graduating in May 2010 with a B.S. in Psychology. After graduation, he plans on going into the Peace Corps for two years, after which he will attend a Ph.D. program in Psychology.

Glade Topham, Ph.D., LMFT
Glade L. Topham, Ph.D. is the Program Coordinator for the Marriage and Family Therapy Program in the department of Human Development and Family Science at Oklahoma State University, and is a licensed Marital and Family Therapist in the state of Oklahoma. He received his Ph.D. from Texas Tech University in Marriage and Family Therapy and his Bachelor of Science degree in Family Science and his Master of Science degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Brigham Young University. Dr. Topham's clinical and research interests are focused on the parent-child relationship. Specifically, he is interested in the influence of parenting in the development of child obesity, barriers to engaging and retaining parents and children in parent-child treatment, and predictors of treatment success in parent-child treatment. He and his wife Becky live in Stillwater with their five children.

Cory Williams

Carla Evans Wilsey, M.D.
Carla is a pediatrician at Warren Clinic in Stillwater. She graduated from high school in Helena Oklahoma and received her BS at Oklahoma State University. She received her MD from Oklahoma University and completed her pediatric residency at Oklahoma University, Tulsa. Carla is married to Doug Wilsey, M.D. They have 3 children: Clay, Leah and Amy who is married to Mark and have a daughter Chloe.

Carla is active as a member of Gamma Phi Beta House Corporation Board and is a former board member of Stillwater Domestic Violence. She enjoys marine aquarium, pugs, llamas, sewing, gardening, crochet, and stained glass.

Alane Zannotti
Director, Extension Education and Community Development.

Alane is a Stillwater native and happily returned to Stillwater 4 years ago to fund raise for her alma mater, Oklahoma State University. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Family Relations and Child Development. She started working for Meridian Technology Center in May 2009 as their Director of Extension Education and Community Development. She is a graduate of Leadership Stillwater XI and served on the Stillwater Community Health Center Board for the past 2 years. She passionately believes in a helping those in need and believes Stillwater is one of the most giving communities she has lived in

Alane and her husband Gary opened Zannotti's Wine Bar in Downtown Stillwater and have been thrilled of its success over the past year that it has been open. They have no children but do have a great dog named Annie who is the most important family member of the Zannotti clan!

Image of a young man studying

Who Are We?

Payne County Youth Services, Inc. (PCYS) is a private, non-profit (501(c)3) agency designed to aid youth, ages 12-18, and their families, who are in crisis and request the assistance of counselors, our shelter, mentors/tutors, psycho-educators or support groups. There is no charge for our services.

Our Mission

"Payne County Youth Services, Inc., is dedicated to providing free quality services for the positive development and recovery of youth and families."