About
Our Commitment
The mission of the iowa association for infant and early childhood mental health is to be the voice for infants and children in iowa.
We envision an Iowa in which early relationships are recognized as the foundation of lifelong health, families are empowered, and professionals across disciplines are equipped to support children’s social and emotional well-being and mental health.
Shaping the Future Together
In the summer of 2024, the Association hosted three dynamic collaborative sessions, bringing together community partners to envision and plan for a thriving early childhood workforce in Iowa.
These sessions were designed to:
- Foster meaningful dialogue.
- Gather valuable input on growth and sustainability strategies.
- Lay the foundation for impactful implementation.
Want to see the insights and ideas that emerged? Click here to explore the session highlights.
Staff
Elizabeth Kehret, M.A., IBCLC, IMH-E®
Executive Director
Elizabeth Kehret serves as the Executive Director of the Iowa Association of Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health. She brings more than 15 years of experience supporting children, families, and professionals across Iowa through home visiting, early childhood systems work, maternal and child health, and infant and early childhood mental health initiatives. Throughout her career with Lutheran Services in Iowa, Elizabeth has held a variety of leadership and programmatic roles, including service coordination, program supervision, and management of perinatal support and home visiting programs. In addition to her systems-level work, she has supported families directly during the perinatal period as an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), childbirth educator, doula, and car seat technician. Elizabeth holds a Master's degree in Philanthropy and Nonprofit Development from the University of Northern Iowa and a Graduate Certificate in Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health from Iowa State University. She is endorsed as an Infant Mental Health Mentor in Policy, reflecting her commitment to advancing infant and early childhood mental health through advocacy, systems building, and workforce development. A passionate advocate for young children and their families, Elizabeth represented Iowa at Strolling Thunder in Washington, D.C., where she met with federal legislators to advocate for policies that support infants, toddlers, and their caregivers. She is dedicated to strengthening Iowa's infant and early childhood workforce through reflective practice, professional development, and collaborative leadership. Elizabeth lives in Parkersburg with her husband and children on the fifth-generation family farm where she was raised. Her personal and professional experiences continue to inspire her commitment to ensuring that every infant, young child, and family in Iowa has the opportunity to thrive. ExecutiveDirector@ia-iecmh.org
Kristi Armstrong, MSW, LMSW, IMH-E®
Endorsement Coordinator
With over two decades of experience in the field, Kristi Armstrong creates meaningful connections that establish a space of trust and open, honest reflection. Holding a license as a Master Social Worker and endorsed as an Infant Mental Health Mentor-Clinical, Kristi's extensive background encompasses roles as a clinician, consultant, and trainer in the realm of Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health. Notably, she previously served as the Director of Endorsement and Reflective Practice at the Washington Association for Infant Mental Health. Prior Kristi led a multifaceted initiative involving multiple representatives from four states, culminating in the creation of "Reflective Supervision: A Guide from Region X to Enhance Reflective Practice Among Home Visiting Programs," a globally utilized resource. Presently, she facilitates both individual and group reflective supervision/consultation sessions, conducts a multitude of diverse infant mental health trainings, collaborates with state partners to bring reflective practice services to a variety of professionals, and she provides endorsement coordination for the state of Iowa. Utilizing reflection as a tool for learning, Kristi actively evaluates her own biases, educates herself on diverse perspectives, and engages in meaningful conversations. This ongoing process allows her to adapt and evolve in her anti-bias efforts, contributing to a more inclusive environment. Outside of her professional endeavors, she finds joy in quality time with her family and friends.
Board Members
Billie Jo Claussen, M.S., IMH-E®
Board President
Billie Jo is proud to call herself a babyologist. She has spent the better part of her adult life studying babies and their loved ones so that all can support each other in the best way possible ~with love and affection, healing their ouchies and living their best lives. Billie Jo is endorsed as an Infant Mental Health Specialist. She holds a Master’s Degree in Infant Toddler Mental Health & Early Childhood Special Education from (Portland State University. Currently Billie Jo works for Northwest AEA as a home visitor. Buck (lab) is her sidekick and they can be found on Black Hawk Lake in northwest Iowa. Billie Jo is passionate about healthy attachment & how healthy relationships play a role in providing the best possible start for babies & toddler
Gladys Noll Alvarez MSW, LISW, IECMH-E ®
Treasurer
Gladys Noll Alvarez MSW, LISW, IECMH-E ® is the Trauma Informed Care Project Coordinator at Orchard Place/ Child Guidance Center. 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 2 separate year-long learning collaborative cohorts through the National Child Traumatic Stress Network. She is trained in Trauma Focused-Cognitive Behavior Therapy (TF-CBT) and is rostered nationally in Child Parent Psychotherapy (CPP). In June 2018 she received the Michigan Association for Infant Mental Health Endorsement as an Infant Mental Health Mentor – Clinical. In May 2022, she received her Early Childhood Mental Health Endorsement –as an Early Childhood Family Specialist. She has provided clinical therapeutic services for children and families who have experienced trauma for over 39 years. In her role as the TIC Project Coordinator, she coordinates the networking of the TIC Project Stakeholders group and provides training on trauma informed care throughout the state and nationally. Gladys coordinates the annual Psychological Trauma & Juvenile Justice conference, bringing national speakers on trauma to educate professionals and promote systemic change. Additionally, she co-authored 2 children’s books on trauma: Grandma Mary Says Things Happen: A guide to help children who have experienced trauma and Grandma Mary Says Bullies Hurt.
Melanie Reese, Ed.S., MSW, LISW
Secretary
As a Senior Technical Assistance Specialist at Anlar, Melanie is passionate about building systems to support inclusive opportunities for young children with disabilities. She is a skilled facilitator, trainer, and technical assistance provider. She has expertise in early childhood special education, state early childhood systems, and social-emotional learning. Prior to joining Anlar, Melanie spent 3 years at the Iowa Department of Education, where she led the state's Pyramid Model work, co-led the Comprehensive System of Personnel Development for special education in birth-five, and worked as the 619 Part B coordinator. She also worked at a regional service agency in Iowa providing technical assistance to local school districts and child care programs in early childhood and early childhood special education for 14 years. Melanie earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Northern Iowa, a Master’s Degree in Social Work from St. Ambrose University, and an Education Specialist Degree in Early Childhood Special Education from Kent State University. Her background and expertise in mental health and special education assist her in collaboration and coordination of services for children with disabilities and their families.
Dawn Lero-M.A., CFCS-HDFS, IMH-E®
Dawn is an Early Childhood Specialist for Southeast Iowa's Early Childhood Project with a catchment area of 10 Southeastern Iowa counties. She provides Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health coaching and consulting. Dawn provides coaching and consultation for childcare programs, family childcares, and home visitors. Dawn and her family relocated from Virginia in April 2022. She worked in Virginia as an Early Intervention Provider for seven years. Her last role in Virginia was as an Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant for a pilot program. Dawn has a Bachelor’s Degree in Family Ministry from Concordia University Texas and a Master's in Human Forensic Mental Health from Concordia University St. Paul in 2015. She is currently completing her Ph.D. at Iowa State University. Dawn holds an Infant Mental Health Family Specialist Endorsement. She is also certified by the American Association for Family and Consumer Science as a Certified Family and Consumer Science Human Development and Family Studies 2017. Dawn is a trainer for Zero to Three's the Growing Brain and provides training, coaching, and consulting for the EC-PBIS Pyramid Model. Dawn is also a licensed PLAY Project consultant. Dawn lives in Des Moines County with her family. She enjoys planning road trips, crocheting, and reading in her free time
Denise Stader, M.A., LMHC, CADC, IMH-E®
Past President
Denise Stadter is the Clinical Director of Behavioral Health Services at Children & Families of Iowa (CFI). She is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) and a certified alcohol and drug counselor (CADC). Denise graduated from Augustana College iBachelor’s degree in Pychology and Sociology with an emphasis in Social Welfare. She attended Olivet Nazarene University and graduated with her Master’s Degree in Professional and School Counseling. Following graduation, Denise began working at CFI later that year as a full-time outpatient therapist working with clients zero through the lifespan that have experienced trauma. Denise has experience working with children, adolescents, and families both on the outpatient and residential level. Denise has direct oversight and supervision of the behavioral health teams and substance abuse programming at Children & Families of Iowa. Denise has received extensive specialized training in domestic violence, addiction, trauma, attachment, and infant/early childhood mental health. As a therapist, Denise utilizes evidenced based practices to support her clients and is trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and is nationally rostered as a Child Parent Psychotherapy clinician and supervisor. Denise is endorsed as an Infant Mental Health Specialist(IMH-E®) in the state of Iowa and serves as past president of the board of the Iowa Association for Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health.
Niki Kredit, IMH-E®
Niki is a registered nurse who began her career as a staff nurse but soon transitioned to public health to serve mothers and babies in her community. For 25 years she has worked as a home visitor and community health nurse focusing on maternal child health, attachment parenting and breastfeeding support. Her passion for infant mental health continues to grow as she works to promote mental health and wellness in families with young children, empower caregivers to understand and advocate for children and model the parallel process as she visits families. She has experience working with adoptive and foster families, kinship placement and working with co-parenting homes often using her training as a Circle of Security-Parenting facilitator.
Kaitlyn Danielson
Kaitlyn Danielson is a licensed master of social work (LMSW) and is currently a mental health therapist providing services to children and adults. Kaitlyn graduated from Iowa State in 2019 and received her Bachelor's degrees in Psychology, and Child, Adult, & Family Services. Over the past decade, Kaitlyn has worked with young children in a variety of settings such as childcare, being a home visitor for Early Head Start, and the Department of Health & Human Services. In 2025, Kaitlyn graduated with her Master of Social Work from the University of Iowa and has since provided outpatient therapy to children and adults. Kaitlyn is passionate about helping children and their families be successful through education of child development and attachment, and strong partnerships with caregivers. In her free time, Kaitlyn likes being with her dogs, Peralta and Bessie, watching the Iowa State Cyclones, and being outside in the sunshine.
Jennifer Ryan, IMH-E®
Jennifer is the Bright Foundations IECMHC Supervisor at Tanager, where she leads and supports a team of consultants serving early childhood programs across Eastern Iowa. She has worked as an Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant since 2023 and brings more than two decades of experience in early childhood systems, therapeutic childcare, and reflective practice. Before moving to Iowa, Jennifer spent over 10 years directing a therapeutic childcare program within a homeless shelter in downtown San Diego. That work deepened her commitment to supporting the adults in a child’s ecosystem and strengthening the systems that hold them. Her expertise includes systems-building, early childhood center leadership, reflective practice, and perspective-taking across roles to foster environments where children thrive through stable, attuned, and valued adults. Jennifer holds an MS in Counseling, a BS in Education, and is endorsed as an Infant Family Specialist (IFSIMHE®). Her work is driven by a belief that teachers deserve recognition, advocacy, and spaces that honor their relational courage and capacity to shape children’s earliest experiences. Originally from San Diego, Jennifer now lives in Cedar Rapids, where she delights in exploring the world with her two granddaughters — from BMX races and soccer games to splash pads, baking adventures, and any new place that sparks curiosity and joy.
Interested in joining the Board of Directors?
Want to learn more?
Our goal is to enhance the quality and capacity of Iowa’s early childhood professionals to meet the social, emotional, and behavioral needs of young children and their families. Contact us to learn more about us, our services or how you can get involved.