Jana began her career as the Executive Director of Child Abuse Prevention Services in 1990. She is a graduate of Maxwell High School and attended Ellsworth Community College. Prior to Jana’s employment with CAPS she was in a management position at JC Penney.
I work at CAPS because: “I have a passion for children and helping families succeed.”
The best part of my job is: “Being able to work collaboratively with so many dedicated people who also care deeply about children.”
Contact Jana: jana@capsonline.us
Linda began her career at Child Abuse Prevention Services in 1992. She has served as the Associate Director during this time. Linda has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Northern Iowa.
I work at CAPS because: “I love working with a group of people who have such a passion for helping others.”
The best part of my job is: “Meeting new families and having the opportunity to make a difference in their life.”
Contact Linda:linda@capsonline.us
Nikki began her career at Child Abuse Prevention Services in 2008. She is the program director for Crisis Child Care, Crisis Intervention, and is the coordinator for the Marshall County DEC Alliance. She graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work in 2001. Prior to working at CAPS Nikki was employed by the Marshall County Dept. of Human Services for 7 years.
I work at CAPS because:“I enjoy working with children and families, and seeing how families can benefit from positive and supportive services.”
The best part of my job is:“Making a difference in someone’s life!”
Contact Nikki: nikki@capsonline.us
Esi began her career at Child Abuse Prevention Services in 2010. She currently serves as the program manager for Building Healthy Families, Refugee Health Connections, and Migrant Family services. She was previously a Child Development Specialist, certified through Parents As Teachers, and was employed as the Sexual Abuse Education Director for one year prior. Esi graduated Suma Cum Laude from Buena Vista University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Human Services and Criminal Justice. Esi speaks English and Spanish.
I work at CAPS because: “I enjoy helping families reach their fullest potential and helping parents realize the important role they play in their child’s life.”
The best part of my job is: “Feeling like I have made a difference in someone’s life.”
Contact Esi: esmeralda@capsonline.us
Kati began her career at Child Abuse Prevention Services in 2007. She is a Child Development Specialist, certified through Parents As Teachers and she graduated from Marshalltown Community College with an AA degree and from the University of Northern Iowa with a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work. Kati’s prior work experience includes 6 years of employment with the Iowa Veteran’s home as a resident aid and hospice helper.
I work at CAPS because: “I love that it is so flexible and family friendly. I work here because I want to make a difference in children’s lives.”
The best part of my job is: “Meeting new parents and teaching them how to be the best parent they can possibly be.”
Contact Kati:kati@capsonline.us
Elizabeth began working at Child Abuse Prevention Services in 2014. She is a Child Development Specialist, working with the Building Healthy Families and school readiness programs. Prior to coming to CAPS, she worked at a local bank and was a bilingual tutor at an elementary school. Elizabeth speaks English and Spanish.
I work at CAPS because: “I want to make a positive impact in our community.”
The best part of my job is: “Putting a smile on someone’s face!”
Contact Elizabeth: elizabeth@capsonline.us
Janet began working for Child Abuse Prevention Services in 2016. She is a Child Development Specialist for the Building Healthy Families program. Janet graduated from Marshalltown High School in 2011 and then obtained her CNA. Prior to her employment with CAPS, Janet worked for the Iowa Veteran’s Home as a CNA/CMA for 4 years. Janet speaks English and Spanish.
I work at CAPS because: “I like helping families out and making a difference in their lives. I like the variety, every day is different and I get to interact with so many different people in this community. ”
The best part of my job is: “Visiting the families and getting treated like I am part of their family. It is such a rewarding job, seeing the smiles on their face and seeing the growth in the development of the kids.”
Contact Janet: janet@capsonline.us
Mandi began her employment with Child Abuse Prevention Services in 2016. She is a Registered Nurse with a strong background in Women’s Care. A graduate of Marshalltown Community College, Mandi went on to work as a labor and delivery nurse and then as a director of a family planning clinic before coming to CAPS.
I work at CAPS because: “I feel very strongly that every parent should have access to the resources they need to be successful. We need to provide them with the tools and knowledge to be the very best that they can be for their children.”
The best part of my job is: “The smiles. And knowing that what we work for everyday truly does make a difference in someone’s life.”
Contact Mandi: mandi@capsonline.us
Plu Meh began working at Child Abuse Prevention Services in 2014. She is a refugee from Thailand and arrived in the United States in 2010. Her family settled in Marshalltown in 2011 and Plu graduated from Marshalltown High School in 2013. She is currently a Community Health Worker with the Refugee Health Connections program. She served as a Child Development Specialist for one year prior to serving in her current role with CAPS. Plu Meh was previously employed as a CNA at an area care facility. Plu speaks English, Karenni, and Burmese.
I work at CAPS because: “I love to work with people, especially children. I want to share my knowledge with the parents and help the community.”
The best part of my job is: “When I see kids doing what they should be doing, and when I help a family that needs it.”
Contact Plu Meh: plumeh@capsonline.us
Lydia began her career at Child Abuse Prevention Services in 2015. Lydia is a refugee from Myanmar and arrived in the United States in 2009, settling in Marshalltown in 2011. She is a 2013 graduate of Marshalltown High School. She is a Community Health Worker with the Refugee Health Connections program. Lydia speaks English, Chin, and Burmese.
I work at CAPS because: “I love working with people, and especially children.”
The best part of my job is: “Helping families to be the best parents they can be, and assisting them in becoming self–sufficient.”
Contact Lydia: lydia@capsonline.us
Hser is from a Thailand Refugee camp, and came to the U.S. in 2007. In 2009, her family resettled in Marshalltown and have been here ever since. Hser graduated from Marshalltown High School in 2015 and started to work with EMBARC through the AmeriCorps Program during the summer before beginning classes at Marshalltown Community College. Hser graduated from MCC in 2017 with Liberal Art degree. She speaks Karen and English.
I work at CAPS because: “I enjoy working with people who care about their community and being able to serve in my community, especially the southeast Asian families.”
The best part about my job is: “visiting families and seeing that they are getting the help and resources they need.”
Maria began her career at Child Abuse Prevention Services in 2016. She is a Child Development Specialist for the Migrant Family Services Program. Maria graudated from Marshalltown Community College in 2011 with her AA degree. Maria speaks English and Spanish.
I work at CAPS because: “I want to help families be informed about their Child’s development and to make a difference in the families’ lives.”
The best part of my job is: “Giving families information about all of the resources available in the community that can better their lives.”
Contact Maria: maria@capsonline.us
Jasmin began her career at Child Abuse Prevention Services in 2017 as a Family Support Worker for the Strong Foundations Program. She graduated from Buena Vista University in 2016 with a degree in Social Work. Jasmin was previously employed at Lutheran Services in Iowa as a Behavioral Health Social worker as well as a social worker for the Unaccompanied Minor Program.
I work at CAPS because: “I love working with a group of people who share the same passion for helping and serving others.”
The best part of my job is: “Seeing families and children thrive and helping them reach their goals.”
Contact Jasmin: jasmin@capsonline.us
Lori began her career at Child Abuse Prevention Services in 2011 and was promoted to Sexual Abuse Prevention Program Director in 2012. She received Accounting 1 & 2 certifications from DMACC and was the CAPS business manager during her first year of employment. Prior to Lori’s employment with CAPS she worked for 25 years in various positions at a financial institution.
I work at CAPS because: “It’s like getting the best of both worlds – you get paid, but you’re also playing your part, helping members of the community.”
The best part of my job is: “Working with and getting to know a lot very caring people in the community.”
Contact Lori: lori@capsonline.us
Taylor began her career at Child Abuse Prevention Services in 2017 as the Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Educator. She graduated from Buena Vista University in 2016 with a degree in Human Services and Psychology. Taylor’s prior work entails being a lead teacher and coordinator for the summer program for school age kids at the YMCA Childcare in Newton for three years and a nanny throughout college. Taylor enjoys playing volleyball and spending time with her family.
I work at CAPS because: “I love working with families and adolescents and helping members of the community. I love how CAPS shows a lot of support for members of the community!”
The best part of my job is: “Walking into work or a school with a smile on my face every day because I know I am making an impact on someone’s life somehow, some way”
Contact Taylor: taylor@capsonline.us
Emma began her career at CAPS in 2014. She is a family support worker for Crisis Child Care and the Crisis Intervention Program. Received a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Psychology and Family Studies from Barclay College in Haviland, Kansas. Emma’s prior work experience includes working as the Resident Assistant at the Quakerdale Van Orman House, a transitional living home for women and children, in Marshalltown.
I work at CAPS because: “I love working with young mom’s and families, helping them utilize their individual strengths to accomplish their goals. My goal for each family I work with is for them to accomplish their goals and feel secure, and that they would see the good things in themselves and be able to use those qualities to stand on their own, eventually helping others in return. ”
The best part of my job is: “knowing i can make a difference for a family even with the smallest things. ”
Contact Emma M: emma@capsonline.us
Emma started working at CAPS in 2016 as the Community Engagement Coordinator. She graduated from the University of Northern Iowa in 2014 with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies. Emma’s prior work experience includes retail and sales along with a stint at a community bank as a Customer Service Representative. Emma enjoys painting and crocheting when she’s not spending time with her family.
I work at CAPS because: “I love the family focused nature of CAPS, both for clients and employees. It is a place where people can find support and encouragement when they need it.
The best part of my job is: “Getting to use my God–given talents and hard earned degree for the betterment of the community.”
Contact Emma C: emmac@capsonline.us
If you are interested in becoming a part of the CAPS Team, fill out our Employment Application and return it to Linda at linda@capsonline.us