Gladys Alvarez
Gladys Noll Alvarez MSW, LISW, IMH-E ® retired in October 2025 as the Trauma Informed Care (TIC) Project Coordinator at Orchard Place/Child Guidance Center. She is currently doing some training and consultation, in between travel and time with grandkids. She has worked with children and families since 1976 when she was a counselor with the Upward Bound program at Coe College. She earned her BA at Luther College in Social Work and Psychology, her Masters in Social Work at the University of Iowa and has been engaged in two separate year-long learning collaborative activities through the National Child Traumatic Stress Network. She is trained in Trauma Focused-Cognitive Behavior Therapy (TF-CBT) and Child Parent Psychotherapy (CPP). In June 2018 she received the Michigan Association for Infant Mental Health Endorsement as an Infant Mental Health Mentor-Clinical and is the first Level IV IMH-E ® in Iowa.
Ms. Alvarez was a member of the C.A.N. Prevention Council, chairs the Steering Committee for the Regional Child Protection Center, is a member of the Model Court Team in Polk County, was part of the Court Improvement Task Force in 2005/2006, is a member of the Zero to Three Safe Babies Court Team in Polk County, Charter Board Member of Shalom Zone Ministries from 1997-2005, a member of the Iowa Association of Infant & Young Children’s Mental Health, and an active member of her church focusing on children’s issues.
She has provided clinical therapeutic services for children and families who have experience trauma for over 30 years. In her role as the TIC Project Coordinator, she coordinates the networking of the TIC Project Stakeholder’s group and provides trainings on trauma informed care throughout the state and nationally. Ms. Alvarez coordinates the annual Psychological Trauma & Juvenile Justice conference, bringing national speakers on trauma to educate professionals and promote systemic change.
Ms. Alvarez is the recipient of many awards: the AL Schulte Award in 2000 for professionalism, dedication and personal commitment to providing services for children and their families; the “Voice of the Children” award in 2008, presented by Orchard Place in recognition of exceptional commitment and service to the children of receiving services from that agency; and in 2011 she received the Michele A. Moore Award of Distinction for work in child advocacy.
Her passion is providing education and trainings which promote a trauma-informed care approach to interactions with children, families and in the work environment.
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 Tina Anderson
Christina “Tina” is an experienced and dedicated student whose life journey fuels her passion for service and advocacy. She began her education at DMACC, earning her Certified Medical Assistant Diploma, followed by Associate degrees in Human Services and Criminal Justice. After joining Grand View University in 2022, she completed her Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and Human Services with minors in Psychology and Sociology. She is now a senior in the Master of Social Work (MSW) program and serves as the MSW Student Representative on the Social Advisory Council.
Tina spent more than 12 years as a foster parent in Des Moines, adopting four children and raising eight in total. She also served as a CASA advocate before relocating to Texas to pursue new opportunities aligned with her commitment to helping others.
Outside of academics, she enjoys music, girls’ trips with close friends, walking her dog Thor, staying active in her church community, and spending time with loved ones. She encourages others to embrace determination, grit, and perseverance—taking each day one step at a time.
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 Derly Beacom
Derly Beacom, LMSW, holds the position of Clinical BHIS Supervisor at Orchard Place, where she has dedicated over four years to supporting youth and their families. She began her career at Orchard Place as a Behavioral Specialist and assumed her current role in 2023. Derly earned both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Social Work from Grandview University. She is trained in various therapeutic approaches, including Trauma-Informed Care, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI), Healing Center Engagement, and Gender-Affirming Care. In her role, Derly provides clinical therapy services to youth and offers clinical support to the BHIS team. In recognition of her dedication and professional contributions, Derly received the Emerging Social Worker Award in September 2024. She is deeply committed to serving underrepresented communities and is focused on bridging the gap between mental health services and the Latinx community.
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 Madelyn Colby
Madelyn Colby, LMSW, graduated with her Bachelor of Social Work degree in 2021 from Grand View University and her Master of Social Work degree from the University of Iowa in 2023. During her Graduate program, she worked at Easterseals Iowa as a job coach for adults with disabilities. During her practicum in 2022, she joined Polk County Crisis and Advocacy Services as a PRN counselor supporting survivors of sexual assault, a role she continues to hold. After graduating in 2023, she transitioned to Grapevine Clinical LLC, where she works as a therapist with teens and adults navigating life transitions, trauma, interpersonal relationship challenges, and school/ work stress. Her professional education and areas of interest include trauma-informed care, crisis intervention, sexual assault advocacy, cognitive behavioral therapy, women’s issues, LGBTQ+ affirming care, and practice grounded in equity, social justice, and cultural humility.
Madelyn is passionate about lifelong learning, empowering individuals to achieve their goals, and helping them build the confidence to overcome life’s challenges. As a proud Grand View alum, she is honored to serve on the Grand View Social Work Advisory Council to support the next generation of social workers.
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 Julie Fugenschuh
Julie Fugenschuh, LMSW, is the Executive Director for Project IOWA and has served in this capacity since March 2011. Her educational background and experience is in guiding the work and research around employment and systematic barriers for marginalized populations. She has experience and knowledge about community-driven initiatives and collaborations. Julie has worked in the educational system and managed large community initiatives in the Des Moines area. She was also a primary founder of the Urbandale Food Pantry. Julie is the mother of seven children and has experience as a foster/adoptive mother. She holds a Master of Social Work from the University of Iowa and is licensed in the State of Iowa.
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 Jaime McClure
Jaime McClure is Executive Director and a therapist at LifeWorks, Inc., with offices in Ankeny and Des Moines. She is a Licensed Independent Social Worker working primarily with adolescents and adults, specializing in divorce, co-parenting, substance abuse, adult ADHD, anxiety and mood disorders. Jaime is a proud Grand View alum, class of 1999.
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 Denise Rathman
Denise Rathman, MSW, has been the executive director of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), Iowa Chapter since December 2013. This position allows her to utilize the variety of skills she has obtained during her career such as workforce development; public policy, including lobbying and government relations; community and political organizing; and campaign and election compliance. Prior to working for NASW Iowa, she facilitated the Advanced Manufacturing Workforce Partnership for Central Iowa Works, served as the Executive Director of the Iowa Innovation Gateway and was the project manager for the Siouxland Tri-State Regional Innovation Grant. Her campaign experience includes working on US Senator Tom Harkin’s 1990 re-election campaign, his 1992 presidential campaign and during the 1994 cycle for the national fundraising office of the Committee to Re-Elect Senator Edward M. Kennedy.
In 2000 Denise earned her Masters in Social Work from the National Catholic School of Social Service. Her undergraduate degree is from Drake University, where she majored in international relations. When considering a response to the question, Why social work? she explains, “I made a very conscious decision to earn an MSW because I wanted to do graduate level studies that somehow combined what I then described as ‘psychology and politics,’ now known as ‘human behavior in the social environment.’ My goal was to help create public and social policies that actually take into account the way that people behave. As a macro social worker, I can call upon all of my peers, colleagues, and NASW members to help inform social policy at the state and federal level.”
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 Laurie Raymond
Laurie Raymond, LISW, CADC, is the Substance Use Disorder Continuum of Care Coordinator at the VA Central Iowa Health Care System. She has extensive experience in both community-based and Veterans Health Administration settings, with expertise spanning clinical practice, program development, systems coordination, and leadership.
Throughout her career, Laurie has helped develop and expand substance use disorder services, including within programs serving Veterans experiencing homelessness. She previously served as Director of a 60-bed residential rehabilitation program providing comprehensive treatment for Veterans with substance use disorders, PTSD, co-occurring mental health conditions, housing instability, and employment challenges. Laurie is experienced in providing individual and group therapy and is committed to recovery-oriented, whole-person care. Her professional interests include behavioral health program development, interdisciplinary collaboration, and mentoring social workers to strengthen clinical practice and improve systems of care.
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 Jenn Stalder
Jenn Stalder supervises the SUCCESS Program for Des Moines Public Schools. SUCCESS provides intensive case management support to high risk elementary and middle school students and their families and reengages high school students who have disengaged from school back into the appropriate educational pathway. The program’s goal is to have ALL students experience school success and graduate from high school. Jenn also oversees the student attendance policy and supports all schools with implementation of the attendance policy in addition to serving on the district safety team.
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 Sarah Van Gorp
Sarah is a therapist, Licensure Supervisor, and clinical advocate working at Lutheran Services in Iowa, Des Moines. Sarah is passionate about creating better access for mental health and wellbeing within our community and exploring ways to overcome service barriers. Sarah primarily works with immigrant and refugee clients, also connecting with trained mental health interpreters and other support services, according to each person’s needs to improve their wellbeing. She focuses on building strengths, confidence, and strong relationships.
In the time at LSI, Sarah has significantly expanded clinical and mental health support for newcomers, and dreams of continued access for therapy across language and cultural bridges. Sarah is a graduate of the University of Iowa College of Social Work and the Harvard Certificate Program in Global Mental Health, Trauma and Recovery. She works at Lutheran Services in Iowa, within Clinical Services in Des Moines. When she’s not at work, she’s usually spending time with family, reading, crafting, baking, or spending time in nature.
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