Meet Our Founder
Rick Hollering
Rick is a certified Human Behavioral Consultant and the founder of RLH & Associates, established in 1988. Through RLH & Associates, Rick has dedicated his career to empowering individuals and organizations by specializing in human development programs, including goal setting, leadership, communication, relationships, time management, conflict resolution, and group dynamics.Â
In 1999, Rick founded Youth Services Alliance (YSA), a nonprofit organization aimed at collaborating with schools, churches, and other youth-serving entities to maximize resources and positively impact youth and families. Under his leadership, YSA has received two Governor’s Awards and numerous local accolades for its work with young people.Â
Rick is also the creator of the W.A.I.T. (What Am I Thinking?) Support System, a multidisciplinary approach that integrates research from neuroscience, psychology, and education to address the effects of trauma on children’s development and behavior. This system provides tools such as discussion books, journals, videos, and facilitation items designed to complement existing curricula, particularly in substance use and mental health programs.
Beyond his organizational roles, Rick is committed to training other youth workers and staff to better connect with young people. He became a certified Human Behavior Consultant in 2006 and achieved advanced certification in 2007.Â
His passion lies in helping others realize their potential and effecting positive change in their lives and communities.
Meet Our Dedicated Team Members
Kate Pattee
Kate Pattee is a lifelong educator, parent, and advocate for brain-based learning. She began her career teaching elementary school in Florida after earning her first degree from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College. After returning to her hometown of Logansport, Indiana, Kate continued teaching while expanding her knowledge in trauma-informed practices, Minds in Motion, and neuroscience—eventually earning a Neuroscience in Education Certificate from Butler University.
Kate now works part-time for Youth Services Alliance where she teaches the W.A.I.T. framework. She also runs her own business, The Deepest Well, where she guides others through Tension & Trauma Releasing Exercises (TRE) to help reset and relax the nervous system. Kate supports families by educating them on the power of brain development through movement, and in 2023, she became a Certified Community Health Worker to better connect individuals with the services and support they need.
Venetia Zinsmaster
Venetia is a seasoned educator and retired Assistant Principal with over 45 years of experience serving diverse school communities across Indiana. Throughout her career, she has held numerous leadership roles, including Literacy Coach, ELL Specialist, and Special Programs Administrator. Venetia is known for her commitment to inclusive education, having developed programs supporting English learners, high-ability students, and students requiring special accommodations.
She played a pivotal role in advancing literacy initiatives through the LETRS and Orton-Gillingham frameworks and has successfully written and managed grants that funded impactful programs like summer literacy camps and new teacher mentoring. Venetia is also passionate about trauma-informed practices, restorative justice, and family engagement, organizing events such as the EL Newcomer Family Resource Night.
Though recently retired from Logansport Intermediate School and Columbia Middle School, Venetia remains dedicated to empowering students, educators, and families through her continued work in education and recovery support
Christine Hess
A retired educator, Chris spent 38 wonderful years as a teacher and principal. She graduated from Indiana University with her Bachelor’s degree in Special Education, got her Master’s in Special Education from IU South Bend, and her Principal’s Licensure Program at Indiana Wesleyan University. Her first 9 years were spent teaching in Warsaw, then in Logansport at Fairview West and Landis Elementary. She spent 10 years at Lincoln Middle School as a Behavioral Advisor, 1 year at the Administration Office as Title I Director, then was Principal at Fairview Elementary for 18 years.
Throughout her career, she was very involved with helping create the award winning after- school R.O.P.E.S. program at Lincoln Middle School, starting the Logansport Backpack Food initiative, and helped Fairview become a No Excuses University School for 10 years. In Sept. 2023, she was awarded Indiana Outstanding Educator Award from the Indiana School Board Association. She was retired for approx. 9 weeks, then came back to work part time for Logansport Community School Corporation as the Workplace Coordinator. She was also President of PEAK Community Services Board for several years, served on the United Way Speakers Bureau, serves on the Cass County Community Foundation’s Grant Committee, and plays in her church’s Bell Choir and Choir. She is married to Milt and has 2 children, Hayley (Rob), and Tanner (Calle) and her first grandson, Griffin, who was born in July 2024.