Staff
Berneeta Criss Wagoner, LISW (Licensed Independent Social Worker), ACSW (Academy of Certified Social Workers), QCSW (Qualified Clinical Social Worker), DCSW (Diplomate in Clinical Social Worker
“Bernie” is the agency director. She has lived and worked in Southwest Iowa over 30 years. She is a clinical social worker with advanced credentials as a diplomat in clinical social work. Her experience includes work in substance abuse, child welfare, mental health services, as well as the schools. A farm wife who was raised on a farm in Nebraska, Bernie is sensitive to changing rural problems and issues. Practice in a rural area allows a professional and unique opportunity to serve individuals and the communities they live in. Bernie has been active in the local Human Service Council, the Child Abuse Council and Iowa NASW for many years. “A rural community is a great place to live and work. I would encourage other professionals to move away from urban areas to experience the opportunities of rural practice.” Bernie has a particular interest in serving children and families. “We believe that every family wants to do the very best they can for their children and that with adequate resources and supports they will achieve a goal of helping their children achieve more or have better lives than they did.” “It’s a universal dream of parenthood.” There is no better time than when a child is first born to intervene with young parents. This is why the Bright & Beautiful Beginnings project was begun five years ago.
Bernie serves an ongoing caseload of outpatient clients as well as serving as the agency director. In 1985, Bernie was recognized by Iowa as “Social Worker of the Year”, being recognized for her work with families impacted by child abuse and domestic violence in rural Southwest Iowa. This priority for services continues as the Southwest Iowa Families hosts the Domestic Violence Task Force and is the provider for the Batterer’s Education Program serving nine counties in Southwest Iowa.
Angie Lutt, Stork’s Nest CoordinatorAngie visits newborns, coordinates the Stork’s Nest program. Angie brings a strong commitment to working with children and families of her home community.
Angie plans and schedules classes, volunteers, and tries to informally meet the needs of the families through referral and community outreach. The needs are many. Being creative and responsive to a changing rural community is a daily challenge.
She is also a certified car seat technician and provides instruction and education to families throughout Page and Fremont Counties.
Linda Orme, Family Support Worker
Linda worked as a Parents As Teachers Educator with the Growing Strong Families program. She also worked at the Turnbull Center in Shenandoah and had previously worked as a Family Support Worker for the agency.
Linda loves her part-time work as a Family Support Worker as she enjoys families and very young children.
Reasa Sturm Family Support Worker
Reasa Sturm is an educator with roots in southwest Iowa. She joined the staff as a family support worker in 2008. Reasa has a heart for the families she works with. Watching the small ones grow and change is one of the joys of being a Family Support Worker.
Kathleen Keefer
Kathleen is originally from New Jersey where she received her B.A. in Communications/Art and her M.A. in Counseling Psychology. She resides with her husband, Bob in Clarinda.
Kathleen is the program manager for the Positive Family Program. Kathleen has over 20 years experience working with families, especially families at risk of abuse or neglect.
Rob Hickman, LMHC (Licensed Mental Health Counselor)
Rob has had a broad range of experiences. Over fifteen years of working with children and youth, both as a Boy’s and Girl’s Town family teacher and a foster parent, as well as having two children of his own.
Rob does outpatient counseling and is a member of the American Counseling Association and has completed mediation training.
Rob uses a broad range of counseling techniques including solution focused, client-centered, cognitive and behavioral therapies and has received recognition for his ability to integrate theology with the counseling experience. Rob especially enjoys working with couples and family relationships.
Robin Sunderman, LISW (Licensed Independent Social Worker), MSW (Masters in Social Work), ACSW 
(Academy of Certified Social Work)
Robin has over 25 years of professional experience. She has experience with individual, marriage, and family counseling in a variety of settings. She also has
experience with inpatient and outpatient mental health, domestic violence, and crisis counseling. Robin can also provide Christian counseling.
Angela Blair Wallick , LMSW (Licensed Master Social Worker) 
Angela has been with Southwest Iowa Families since December 2009. Angela grew up on a farm in southwest Iowa and has lived in this area since 2003, currently living on an acreage with her husband. Angela has worked with children, adults, and families as an adventure facilitator through a mental health center, as a respite provider for individuals with disabilities, and as site director for a camp and retreat center. Angela enjoys the diversity of families and services she is able to work with as a social worker and therapist in rural southwest Iowa.
Angela’s primary responsibility is coordinating the Batterer’s Education Program (BEP) for the Fourth Judicial District, including facilitating the Clarinda Women’s BEP class. In addition to her work with intimate partner (domestic) violence, Angela works as a remedial services provider, self-sufficiency advocate (SSA), and a counselor. Each of the programs offers a different perspective on helping children and families be successful in their homes and communities. Remedial services offer a chance to work with children and their families in developing skills to manage their mental health diagnosis and the symptoms they were experiencing. as a SSA, Angela assists youth aging out of foster care to develop plans to achieve and maintain self-sufficiency. Angela enjoys working with counseling clients to develop and implement realistic and long-lasting solutions to issues negatively affecting their daily lives.
Lucia Beckendorf, LMSW (Licensed Master Social Worker)
Lucia has recently joined the agency and has three years post masters experience. Lucia was born in Mexico and grew up in rural southwest Minnesota and is a fluent Spanish speaker. She is a wife and mother of two children. Lucia works as a counselor and a remedial service provider. She enjoys working with individuals and families to assist them in improving their quality of life.
Sandy Geer, Office Manager
Sandy Geer is likely to be the first person encountered when a client contacts the agency. Sandy is knowledgeable about services and programs of the agency and will take preliminary information for services and as needed refer questions and problems to the appropriate staff for response. If she can’t answer your question, she’ll put you in touch with the person who can!
Sandy also handles accounts receivable and the general ledger. In addition, she assists with grant planning and management. She is committed to the essential and life changing services the agency offers.
Jolene Cabbage, Secretary
Jolene Cabbage is also an up-front support person. Multi tasking is Jolene’s specialty. She supports staff in all programs, answers telephone contacts, assists clients and consumers with paperwork and problems.
Carol Bellairs, MA
Carol is the coordinator of the Incredible Years Dinosaur School. Carol has been in Clarinda since 1992. She has a variety of experiences with programs that serve children. She is an active volunteer in Community Theatre and a gifted vocalist. Carol’s dramatic experience brings a special depth to the characteristics for Dina and Wally, who are key players in the Dinosaur school program. Carol is a wife and a mother – she’s recently returned from a visit to Japan. She has been a host parent for Japanese students. She brings a rich array of experience to agency staff together with her dedication to the children of the community.