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Social Work Summit:

 Melissa Ahrens is the Director of Care Coordination Services at Community Support Advocates (CSA). She obtained her degree in Psychology from Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa. She received additional graduate study in Counseling at Drake University as well as additional online graduate coursework. She is licensed in the State of Iowa as a Bachelors level Social Worker. Melissa has over 35 years of experience working primarily in coordination of care services. Prior experience includes work in residential and community-based services. She has worked on many Statewide committees and initiatives throughout her career. She is passionate about disability services as well as substance abuse services.  

 Michael Berger is a Community Impact Officer at United Way of Central Iowa where his work is focused on addressing the essential needs & health and well-being of central Iowans. His educational background is grounded in public health where he attended the University of Iowa and received a Bachelor of Science in Public Health, minor in business administration and later his Master of Public Health in Community and Behavioral Health. Prior to joining United Way of Central Iowa, he worked at the Harkin Institute for Public Policy and Citizen Engagement where he helped develop and implement Iowa's first basic income demonstration called UpLift - The Central Iowa Basic Income Pilot to explore how an unrestricted $500 monthly income payment impacted 110 families living in central Iowa over a 24-month period. While working on UpLift he got the privilege to support hard working families and saw first-hand what's possible when struggling families are trusted to make their own financial decisions and treated with dignity. Changed by his experience, he now strives to bring attention to the programmatic and systemic barriers that many community members encounter when they attempt to break away from the cycle of poverty. 

Stevi has worked in EMS for 20 years, including 14 years with MercyOne. Eight years ago, she developed the program to help reduce hospital readmissions and provide support for individuals who were relying on the emergency department for care. The program helps bridge gaps between the emergency room, primary care providers, and in-home services.

My name is Shelby Burt. I am the Program Relations Manager with Immanuel Pathways PACE. I have worked in healthcare in many different rolls since I was 16 years old; most recently being the Social Services Supervisor for PACE and stepping into the Relations Manger role. I am a strong advocate for my special needs daughter which translated to supporting and advocating for the participants that PACE serve. My passion is caring for others and honoring their wishes. Outside of PACE, you will find me outside with my chickens or listening to music.  

Christy Casey is one of the Long Term Supports and Services Policy Managers she is responsible for Health and Disability Waiver, AIDS/HIV Waiver, Physical Disability Waiver, Intellectual Disability Waiver and Consumer Choices Options program.  Christy will be managing the Child and Youth Waiver once HOME is released.

Christy was a Case Manager for 17 years prior to joining the LTSS policy team at the state, she has been working with and advocating for members since she was in high school working various roles from domestic violence shelters, abuse and neglect, and juvenile delinquents.

Christy is known for her organization and leadership and has coordinated and ran many workgroups for state programs to help develop new policies and programs with in the HCBS program.

 Crystal brings over 30 years of experience empowering individuals in her professional domain. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work from the University of Montana and possesses a certification in Aging and Geriatrics from Boston University. Additionally, she is a certified Aging and Disability Information and Referral Specialist and an Options Counselor. With a two-decade commitment to Aging Resources, Crystal has fulfilled various roles that reflect the organization’s comprehensive range of services. She is dedicated to supporting the community's most vulnerable populations and actively collaborates with colleagues to advance the mission of assisting those in need.  

 Shannon Draayer serves as Executive Director of Community Nutrition for WesleyLife. In her role with WesleyLife, Shannon leads the Non Profit’s focus on nutrition and combatting food insecurity, including the meal program serving nearly 2,000 meals each day. She earned a bachelor's degree from Iowa State University in Journalism and Political Science and a Masters of Communications Leadership from Drake University. In 2024 Shannon was recognized as one of the Des Moines Business Record’s 40 Under 40 Business Leaders. She lives in Des Moines, Iowa, with her husband, Adam, and two boys. 

Kim Grasty serves as Iowa’s HCBS Quality Manager and is a dedicated champion of the state’s current waiver redesign HOME (Hope and Opportunity in Many Environments) Project, where she leads efforts to enhance the quality and person-centeredness of Home and Community-Based Services. With a strong focus on equity, inclusion, and outcomes that matter to individuals receiving services, Kim brings both strategic vision and practical expertise to system transformation.

With over 24 years of experience in the field, Kim has been instrumental in implementing quality improvement initiatives that align policy with lived experience, ensuring that the voices of individuals, families, and communities drive sustainable change. Her work bridges eligibility, data, advocacy, and innovation to promote better lives for people with disabilities and older adults.

Kim is known for her collaborative leadership and deep commitment to building systems that support dignity, independence, and community connection.

Mobile Integrated Healthcare began in January 2024 to address the high-volume of medical responses.

The Mobile Integrated Healthcare program aims to provide a proactive approach for the residents of Des Moines and help them take care of their medical needs, prescriptions and transportation needs and connect them with appropriate levels of medical care.

John Jensen, has served as a firefighter and medic with the Des Moines Fire Department for 28 years. 

Cynthia’s goal for 2026 was to become a certified elder law attorney.  The National Elder Law Foundation offers the certification in elder law, which requires active practice in 13 areas of elder law, substantial history of specialized continuing legal education, the support of at least 6 other certified elder law attorneys, and a full day of proctored testing over those 13 areas of law.  There are approximately 500 certified elder law attorneys in the county, concentrated primarily on the east and west coasts, with only about 25 practicing in the entire Midwest.   Her five years of diligent pursuit of this certification paid off earlier in 2026 when she became the only Iowa attorney to become a certified elder law attorney.  Cynthia is also the only Iowa attorney invited to join the Special Needs Alliance, a national non-profit organization providing resources and advocacy for persons with disabilities.  There are approximately 200 attorneys admitted to this organization.

She is admitted to practice in Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri, the Federal Southern District of Iowa and the Federal District of Nebraska, and she  is a VA accredited attorney. She is a member of many bar associations, the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys; the National Elder Law Foundation, the Special Needs Alliance, and the Iowa Healthcare Association. 

For fun, she loves horses, playing dress up at the renaissance festival, and natural fiber textiles.   She invites you all to follow her Facebook page titled Fun with Scarves.

 Sherri McLerran is a Nationally Certified Guardian (NCG) and the sole proprietor of Decisions for Life, LLC. With more than 30 years of experience in probate law and an extensive background as both a legal assistant and program coordinator for Iowa's Office of Substitute Decision Maker, (now known as the Office of Public Guardian) Sherri is uniquely qualified to understand substitute decision making from multiple perspectives. A current member of the National Guardianship Association and President of the Guardianship Association of Iowa Network (GAIN), Sherri is a dedicated professional who is proud to abide by the ethical principles and standards of best practices when it comes to substitute decision making. At Decisions for Life, we provide quality guardianship, fiduciary and educational services to support the rights of the clients we serve. We understand that each client's situation is unique, and we strive to inform and empower each individual by working with them and for them to ensure a healthy and safe quality of life. Located in central Iowa, we serve individuals across the state and are accepting new clients.  

 Michael Mortensen is the Deputy Director of Polk County Veteran Affairs, bringing over a decade of local, state, and national advocacy experience to the role. A retired U.S. Army Non-Commissioned Officer, Michael deployed to 23 countries throughout his military career, including two combat tours in Iraq and assignments overseeing detainee operations in Iraq and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Since 2014, he has championed Veteran resources as a County Veteran Service Officer. He is a past President of the Iowa Association of County Commissioners and Veteran Service Officers (2018–2023) and currently serves as the Legislative Liaison to the State of Iowa and an Executive Board Member for the National Association of County Veteran Service Officers.  

Blair A. Overton has been a licensed funeral director since 1992. Raised in Traer, Iowa, Blair was a 1986 graduate of North Tama High School and continued his education at the University of Iowa, where he graduated with a degree in economics in 1990.

Blair received his education in mortuary sciences at the New England Institute in Newton Centre, Massachusetts, a suburb of Boston. Upon graduation in 1991, he received the Fredrick J. Walker Award for highest academic average and the Founders Award for the most promise of outstanding contribution to funeral service. While in Boston, Blair worked full time for the J. S. Waterman & Sons Funeral Home.

Returning to Iowa, Blair joined the family business as the fourth generation representing Overton Funeral Homes. He, along with two partners, purchased the family funeral homes and expanded the operations to the Des Moines area in 2008. In 2020 Blair, along with his business partner Sara Bering, purchased the Des Moines operations.

Blair has served families for thirty years. He has owned and operated funeral homes in small towns and the greater Des Moines metroplex, as well as a cremation society and two cemeteries. He has witnessed many changes in the end-of-life arena, and now has operated through a pandemic.

Blair and his wife, Whitney, live in Johnston. Their eldest son, Alex, works for the family business. Tyler, the middle son, is going to be a submariner with the US Navy and is finishing up his chemical engineering degree at Iowa State with the Navy ROTC. Ryan, the youngest son, is a freshman at the University of Utah studying pre-med. 

Stephanie Schmidt is serves District 5 through her work with Polk County Behavioral Health and Disability Services, where she oversees Disability Access Point operations. Her work is grounded in delivering quality, person‑centered care, ensuring individuals and families receive guidance that honors their goals, preferences, and lived experiences.

With more than twenty years of experience in disability services, Medicaid program administration, and cross‑system coordination, Stephanie leads efforts to expand DAP access, improve workflow consistency, and strengthen service pathways. Her leadership emphasizes accessible communication, trauma‑informed practices, and practical tools that elevate care quality across Iowa.

Stephanie holds a Master of Healthcare Administration from Walden University and a Bachelor of Social Work from Wartburg College.

Wendy has been a clinical palliative care social worker with Mercy One Des Moines’ Palliative Care team for 12 years. She earned her Master's in Social Work from the University of Kansas School of Social Welfare. Wendy has advanced training with the Palliative Care Leadership Center through the Center for Advancement of Palliative Care (CAPC) and is a member of the Social Workers in Hospice and Palliative Care Network (SWHPN) through which she is certified as an Advanced Palliative Hospice Social Worker (APHSW-C). She has over 30 years of experience assisting individuals and families in coping with serious illness, caregiver stress, end-of-life decision making, and grief and loss, and has spoken at the local, state and national levels on a variety of topics related to palliative care, including compassion fatigue, caregiver stress, and helping children of parents with terminal illness.

 Tricia Tentinger is a Licensed Independent Social Worker with over 23 years of experience in providing therapeutic, Palliative, End of Life, and bereavement services in the Des Moines area.  She is currently working with the UnityPoint Palliative Clinic located in Waukee serving Palliative patients who are living in the community.  She facilitates discussions with patients and families to assist with making informed complex medical decisions that allow them to live their best quality of life.  She is able to provide short term therapeutic intervention related to coping with disease processes and prognosis.  Also offering assistance in planning for current and future needs related to changes in physical functioning related to living with chronic and terminal illnesses.   With the goal of assisting patients and families to achieve their best quality of life as they live with chronic and terminal illnesses.