Meet Our TrainersBehind every training is a dedicated expert who understands the realities of working with children and families. Our trainers bring a mix of professional expertise and lived experience, creating learning environments that are practical, engaging, and grounded in real-world application. We’re proud to partner with trainers who are passionate about supporting Iowa’s child welfare workforce. TrainersBilly W. Claywell, LMSWClinical Director, Corinthian House Billy Claywell brings over 30 years of experience in the human services field, with a career spanning roles such as in-home service provider, foster and adoptive care caseworker, family preservation supervisor, program administrator, and grant writer. He currently serves as Clinical Director at Corinthian House, providing clinical oversight and therapy for residents. Billy is an experienced trainer in trauma-informed care, client engagement, mental health, and supervision. He combines evidence-based practices with real-world application, using personal and professional experiences to create engaging, practical trainings. Billy and his wife were also foster parents for several years, and their family includes both biological and adopted children—bringing valuable lived experience to his work. Courses Taught:
David “Dave” Zidar, MSSA, BSWTrainer & Therapist Dave Zidar brings more than 40 years of experience in child welfare, having served as an administrator, trainer, and therapist across both public and private systems. His career includes leadership roles such as Vice President of Residential Services in Kentucky and executive-level positions within public agencies. Dave has extensive experience in clinical practice and program operations, with a focus on supporting children and families with complex needs. He currently works as an independent trainer and therapist nationwide and serves as an Area Director within a foster care and mental health agency. He holds a BSW from Capital University, an MSSA from Case Western Reserve University, and a certification in Juvenile Sex Offender Treatment from the University of Louisville. Courses Taught:
Emma Harding, LMFTDirector of Learning, Meraki Institute of Learning Emma Harding is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Director of Learning at the Meraki Institute of Learning. She has extensive experience providing school-based therapeutic services to children and families from early childhood through college, adapting her approach to meet developmental needs at each stage. Emma specializes in advanced play therapy techniques and is particularly dedicated to supporting families and children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. As a committed educator and lifelong learner, she emphasizes collaboration and practical strategies to help professionals create trauma-sensitive, supportive environments. Courses Taught:
Katie HennigesFamilies First Katie Henniges has over 23 years of experience in the human service field and has been employed with Families First since June 2005. Katie provides support and direction to supervisors and direct care staff through group and individual supervision to ensure quality services are being delivered to those families served by Families First. Katie is a Trainer for Child Safety Conferences and is an approved statewide Trainer for Solution Focused Meetings and Youth Transition Decision Making Meetings. Katie has also facilitated trainings in partnership with the Iowa Department of Human Services for supervisors and direct care staff across Iowa on topics including Family Interactions, Engaging Non-Custodial Parents, Placement Stability, and Quality Case Visits. Courses Taught:
Kirsten FaisalDirector of Training & Technical Assistance, Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence Kirsten Faisal has served as Director of Training and Technical Assistance at the Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence since 1995. Prior to this role, she spent ten years as a direct service provider supporting survivors of domestic violence. Kirsten works across Iowa to develop public policy, programming, and training for professionals whose work impacts survivors. She has contributed to statewide initiatives in healthcare, child welfare, and the court system, and has provided training to multidisciplinary audiences, including the Attorney General’s Office. She has also coauthored one of the first curricula in the nation for women convicted of domestic abuse and has received national recognition for her work, including presenting at a White House event commemorating the Violence Against Women Act. Courses Taught:
National Resource Center for Family Centered PracticeUniversity of Iowa Training Partner The National Resource Center for Family Centered Practice (NRC), a project of the University of Iowa School of Social Work, works to promote family-centered, community-based, and culturally responsive practices across systems. Through research and evaluation, training and technical assistance, and information dissemination, the NRC supports organizations in translating research into effective practice. The Center partners with federal, state, and local agencies, as well as nonprofit and private organizations to improve outcomes for children and families nationwide. Courses Taught:
Presidential ConsultantsTraining Partner Presidential Consultants is a nationally recognized training and development firm dedicated to strengthening individuals and organizations across human services, government, healthcare, and education sectors. Their highly interactive, evidence-based programs are designed to create measurable cultural and behavioral change. Featured TrainersAnthony President Anthony President brings over 13 years of experience in field and office safety training for human service agencies. His background includes leadership roles in office safety compliance, workforce training, and direct service work in child welfare. He has trained both public and private sector organizations on safety policies, emergency procedures, and conflict resolution, combining real-world experience with practical strategies to support staff working in high-risk environments. Jake Ross Jake Ross is a licensed independent social worker with over 15 years of experience in child welfare, trauma-informed care, and clinical leadership. As a Senior Consultant and Trainer, he supports organizations in strengthening clinical operations, program development, and staff training. Jake has extensive experience designing residential treatment programs and building systems that improve care for children, adolescents, and individuals with mental health needs. Val Larkin Val Larkin is a Senior Trainer with more than 30 years of experience as a clinical practitioner and human services leader. She specializes in trauma-informed care, crisis response, workplace safety, and ethical practice. Val has trained and supervised frontline professionals across multiple disciplines and provides coaching to organizations on policies and procedures that align with regulatory standards. Her work focuses on strengthening staff performance while improving outcomes for those they serve. Courses Taught:
Project Harmony Training InstituteTraining Partner The Project Harmony Training Institute was established in 2007 with a mission to end the cycle of child abuse and neglect through education and professional development. The institute provides training to professionals across child welfare, education, healthcare, law enforcement, and mental health. Each year, Project Harmony delivers hundreds of trainings designed to increase awareness, strengthen professional skills, and improve outcomes for children and families. Courses Taught:
Samantha CermakDirector of Autism Services, ChildServe Samantha Cermak is the Director of Autism Services at ChildServe, where she oversees the clinical development of the organization’s Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) program. She has been a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA) in Iowa for over 13 years. Samantha has experience providing services across home, clinical, residential, and school settings, with a primary focus on supporting children with autism and their families. Her clinical interests include early intervention for toddlers and young children, staff training systems, and family-centered care. Courses Taught:
Savanah StrahanLead Specialized Prevention Services Coordinator, YSS Savanah Strahan is a Lead Specialized Prevention Services Coordinator with YSS, where she delivers substance use prevention programming to youth in Story County. She implements evidence-based curricula and works closely with community partners to support youth education and prevention efforts. Savanah earned her Bachelor of Science in Public Health Education from Central Michigan University. During her undergraduate studies, she interned with her university’s collegiate recovery program, where she conducted assessments, developed educational materials, and collaborated with community coalitions. After relocating to Iowa in 2021, Savanah gained experience as a Behavior Technician in ABA therapy before transitioning into prevention work. She is also actively involved in statewide prevention efforts as a member of the Iowa Alliance of Coalitions for Change (AC4C), where she serves as Youth Coordinator. Courses Taught:
Teresa DavidsonCo-Founder & CEO, Chains Interrupted Teresa Davidson is a Nurse Practitioner, pastor, and anti-human trafficking advocate dedicated to ending the exploitation of youth. She is the Co-Founder and CEO of Chains Interrupted, a nonprofit organization working to prevent human trafficking and support survivors. Her work in the anti-trafficking field includes leading international mission efforts, developing and serving in the first Anti-Human Trafficking Coordinator role within an Iowa hospital, and being appointed by the President of the United States to the federal Public-Private Partnership Advisory Council to End Human Trafficking—one of only 11 leaders selected nationwide. Teresa serves on the boards of Fresh Start Ministry and the Iowa Network Against Human Trafficking (INAHT) and has worked with more than 350 survivors. She has received numerous honors for her work, including two Governor’s Service Awards, Iowa’s 100 Great Nurses Award, and recognition as a Woman of Influence in the Corridor region. Courses Taught:
Tim CartSr. Training Manager, Four Oaks Tim Cart is the Senior Training Manager at Four Oaks, where he has worked for over 24 years across a variety of programs, including foster group care (QRTP), shelter services, and community-based programming. He brings extensive experience supporting staff and families in child welfare settings. Tim is a certified trainer in multiple disciplines, including Mandt, Ukeru, EPICS-I, Active Threat Awareness, and AHA CPR/First Aid. He is also a certified Trauma-Informed Coach and trained in Psychological First Aid. His work focuses on equipping professionals with practical skills to improve safety, supervision, and outcomes for children and families. Courses Taught:
Zach MundyMid-Iowa Family Therapy Clinic Zach Mundy works at Mid-Iowa Family Therapy Clinic and has been with the organization since 2008. He has extensive experience providing in-home and safety services to families and previously served in a supervisory role within the agency. Zach holds a bachelor’s degree in Community Sociology from Wartburg College and a master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Mount Mercy University. He helped develop the Family Focused Meeting curriculum and is a statewide trainer supporting professionals in implementing this approach. Courses Taught:
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Upcoming Events
Mon May 11, 202605.11.26 Autism & Successfully Navigating Challenging Behavior (Virtual) Category: Training |
Mon May 18, 202605.18.26 Calm Down: Understanding Basics to De-escalate Situations (Virtual) Category: Training |
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