Carol is the Coordinator of the Incredible Years Dinosaur School, implemented for Southwest Iowa Families in 2006. Carol is very active within the community, involved in her church choir and Junior Choir Director. She is an active volunteer in Community Theatre. Carol's dramatic experience brings a special depth to the puppet characters of Dina, Wally, and Molly who are key players in the Dinosaur School program. Carol performs dual roles in her duties at Southwest Iowa Families. In spring 2011 she stepped into the position of Family Support Specialist with Positive Family programming. She makes home visits to young families to encourage and assist them with prenatal, parenting, life-skills and problem solving lessons. She brings a rich array of experience to agency staff, together with her dedication to the children of the community.

Heather Burson, Family Support Specialist, grew up in southwest Iowa and has a degree in education. She has spent the last 21 years working with children and families in the early childhood field in a variety of capacities. She has two daughters and enjoys spending time going to their activities, gardening, and reading in her free time.

Amber Butt is originally from Blue Springs, MO. She met her husband while completing an undergraduate internship at Clarinda Academy. They have two boys ages 10 and 8 and have lived in the Clarinda area for the past 15 years. She completed her undergraduate and graduate work at Northwest Missouri State University and earned her license as a Mental Health Counselor in 2008. Amber is also dually credentialed as a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor and has had training in EMDR which she has found very interesting and helpful to many of her clients. She has always enjoyed working with adolescents and young adults and currently works full time at Clarinda Academy providing therapy to the students who reside there. She chose to resume her community work on a part-time basis and began seeing clients in the evenings at the Clarinda office of Southwest Iowa Families in December, 2015.

Jolene Cabbage is likely to be the first person encountered when a client contacts the agency.  Jolene handles many behind the scene tasks, supports staff in all programs, answers telephone contacts, assists clients and consumers with paperwork and problems.

Brittney has been with Southwest Iowa Families since 2013 after graduating from the University of Northern Iowa with a Master's of Social Work.  She has a range of experience working with people of all ages, families, couples, and mental health disorders, and she specializes in treating trauma.  She is a Certified EMDR therapist, a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, and Certified Victim Counselor for survivors of domestic violence.  Brittney sees clients in Clarinda and Atlantic, Iowa.

Brittany has lived in Southwest Iowa most of her life. Fall of 2016 has been a time of changes, she will be marrying her best friend and she has started working at Southwest Iowa Families, Inc. Brittany attended Northwest Missouri State University where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Early Childhood. Brittany previously worked as a home visitor and will continue that role at Southwest Iowa Families, providing Behavioral Health Intervention Services. She will also be offering parenting classes.

Brittany has a passion for working with children and their families. She is willing to assist in any way that she sees fit. Brittany enjoys spending time with her family, going for walks, watching football, and spending time with her two beagle fur babies.

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, as Administrative Director, handles financial duties for the agency, grant writing, human resources, strategic planning and oversees all programs and services. She is committed to the essential and life changing services the agency offers.

Erica Hash is the Bright & Beautiful Beginnings Nest Coordinator, she has been with Southwest Iowa Families since August 2011. She started her college education at Southeast Community College earning an Associate's Degree. Erica then continued her education at Northwest Missouri State University earning a Bachelor's Degree in Child and Family Studies with a minor in Criminal Justice. Recently, Erica obtained her Master's Certification in Infant Mental Health. Erica "wears several hats" within the agency, she is also a Self Sufficiency Advocate for the Foster After Care Program, working with young adults aging out of the foster care system. Erica is also a Family Support Specialist, going into the homes of young families to offer them support and education from prenatal to age 5.

Lynn is an LMSW therapist and ACE certified Fitness Professional who has spent her professional career promoting well-being in her communities of service. She is the mother of four adult sons and married to Bob Irr, her best friend and partner in life. Her experiences include being Southern Prairie YMCA Wellness lead for over 10 years building her new start up program 3x growth in her tenure there providing a diversity of fitness and wellness programming in her rural community. Lynn has also served in corporate wellness as Lead for Barker Implement and took her group from above highest risk to lower risk in the nation during her six years there. Lynn worked as a Crisis Counselor for Project Flood Recovery/FEMA helping families deal with the stress and trauma of tornado damage while supporting paperwork tangles. Lynn has enjoyed also been a School Social Work/Success Coordinator/Diversity and Migrant Education Lead in Creston School District helping ethnically diverse and struggling students and families. Her passion is watching and supporting her family in their life visions and activities. Her hobbies include wellness coaching, teaching fitness classes of all genres, reading and lifelong learning and growing, exercising and trying to keep up with her grandchildren.

Linda Jenkins, Family Support Specialist with Positive Family, has worked in the field of Family Support for many years.  She is currently working on her B.A. degree from Buena Vista University in Human Services and Psychology.  She is active in many community service groups including: Page County Human Service Council, Zero to Five, Fremont/Page Prevent Child Abuse Council. Linda is a mother and a grandmother and loves working with young children and their families.

Iowa 4th Judicial District Iowa Domestic Abuse Program Coordinator Behavioral Health Intervention Service Provider

Teresa Kanning is originally from the panhandle of Nebraska. She met her husband while attending College in Kearney, Nebraska. After college, her husband, Rich’s military career took them to Oklahoma and Germany, after which they decided to raise their family in southwest Iowa, which brought them to Southwest Iowa where Rich grew up. Teresa’s career has included working for the US Army as a DOD civilian, nursing home social work and working in the Iowa mental health system as a County Coordinator for Mental Health Services. She has been involved in her community as the Co-Chair of Salvation Army program for 20+ years and a member of the Child Abuse Prevention Council for 20+ years. She has been on many community advisory boards and state-wide committees during her career in Iowa. She served on the Emergency Management Crisis team for her county for 18 years. Lobbying for clients and families with mental health needs has been a passion throughout her career. Teresa has her BA in Social Work with a minor in Criminal Justice, from University of Nebraska at Kearney (originally Kearney State College) in Nebraska. She has her License as a Bachelor’s level Social Worker in Iowa. Teresa joined the Southwest Iowa Families team as a Behavioral Health Intervention Service (BHIS) in October 2014 and in November 2015 became the coordinator of the Iowa Domestic Abuse Program (IDAP) for the 4th Judicial District contract that the Agency oversees. Teresa and her husband Rich have two adult children and 3 grandchildren. She enjoys spending time with family and friends. She enjoys her pets and working on their almost 100 year old home. The couple enjoy spending time in nature.

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.

Dr. Keller serves as Medical Director for Southwest Iowa Families, Inc. He consults and reviews complicated cases with staff. He is not seeing clients for medication management; however providers who have referred clients for evaluation or therapy may direct questions or concerns about their referral for Dr. Keller’s review.

Brandy has lived her entire life in southwest Iowa and has been practicing in the area since receiving her Master's Degree in Social Work from the University of Iowa in 2009. She has primarily provided therapy   services to children with severe behavioral and mental health issues, couples, families, end of life and trauma. Brandy lives in the country with her husband and together they have 7 children. She enjoys riding horses, playing guitar and all other outdoor activities with her family and friends.

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.

Bernie was the agency director until spring 2013 when she retired from her role as administrator. She continues in a part-time role as therapist seeing clients in the Clarinda location. 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 rural community is a great place to live and work", Bernie says "I would encourage other professionals to move away from the urban areas to experience the opportunities of rural practice.” Bernie has a particular interest in serving children and families. 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.

Angela has been with Southwest Iowa Families since December 2009 and transitioned to the Clinical Director position in March 2013. Each of the programs at Southwest Iowa Families offers a different perspective on helping children, adults, and families be successful in their homes and communities, and Angela feels fortunate to be able to work with all of the programs.  Angela enjoys working with her own clients in helping them develop and implement realistic, long-lasting solutions.

Cortney has always lived and worked in Iowa - she currently resides in Shenandoah with her husband, two daughters, and three dogs. She joined Southwest Iowa Families in 2015 and hasn't looked back. Currently, Cortney is working as a Family Support Worker for the Positive Family program, and she also provides behavior health services through BHIS. Cortney's Master's degree is in early childhood education, and she has a strong desire for helping children and families reach their full potential. Cortney loves to read nonfiction and watch documentaries, exercise, and play games with her family. She is an active member in the community, often attending events and promoting the local libraries. Through both Positive Family and BHIS, Cortney is able to pursue a passion of helping young children develop and grow to be socially and emotionally strong, and healthy, caring, young people. Her enthusiasm and optimism help make her position effortless and enjoyable.