Breakout Sessions

Sonja will cover the protected class and give insight on how the workplace can be affected.  We will give insight to some overlooked issues that can be problematic. 

Presenters

Sonja Lee Bock
Executive and Advocacy Committee and former Chair, Human Rights Commission and Drake University Adjunct

Sonja Lee Bock was born and raised in South Dakota, and is a registered member of the Rosebud Sioux tribe. She moved to Iowa about 35 years ago and lived in Fort Dodge for about 19 years, then moved to Cedar Falls to attain her Master's degree at UNI. Sonja has three daughters and a grandson. She is passionate about diversity and equality. Her background includes working with behavioral students as well as working with educators to create more inclusion and understanding in the classroom. For several years she has been a professor of Sociology. 

T.W. Ingham
Chair of the Cedar Falls Human Rights Commission

TW is the current Chair of the Cedar Falls Human Rights Commission. TW received his bachelor’s degree in Psychology from UNI and a Certificate of Leadership and Communication from Harvard University.

Learning Objectives

1. How to embrace a more diverse workplace.  

2. To have a solid understanding of protected classes.  

3. Learn to create an environment where everyone can succeed. 

Overview of agency services for youth and adults and the population we serve. Overview of the process for referral, intakes, eligibility, and employment plan. 

Presenters

Carrie Snell
Rehabilitation Counselor, Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services

Carrie Snell is a Rehabilitation Counselor out of the Waterloo area office. She has been with IVRS since October 2021. Carrie earned her undergraduate degree in General Studies with 3 minors (Education, Social Science and Business) in 2012 and her Master’s degree in Higher Education from Kaplan University in 2015. Prior to IVRS, she worked for Job Corps as an Admission Counselor covering 26 counties in NE Iowa and in higher education with Kaplan University and Upper Iowa University as an admissions counselor, transfer and external credit specialist and financial aid.

Diana Mount
Rehabilitation Counselor, LISW, Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services

Diana Mount is an accomplished Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW) with six years of impactful experience at Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services (IVRS). In her role she provides customized support to individuals with disabilities, focusing on helping them achieve their vocational goals. Her role includes evaluating and screening clients for eligibility, coordinating with community agencies, schools, and families, and creating individualized employment plans. She also serves as the area office assistive technology liaison, further enhancing her ability to provide comprehensive support. Before her tenure at IVRS, Diana built a robust career as a therapist, working extensively in community mental health and substance abuse counseling.

Diana earned her Master of Social Work with a clinical concentration in at-risk populations from the University of Denver and holds a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Northern Iowa. Her expertise in case management and her passion for empowering others drive her commitment to both sharing knowledge and learning from fellow professionals. Diana is dedicated to improving the lives of those she serves through her ongoing professional development and collaborative approach.

Learning Objectives

1. To learn how IVRS supports employers and employees within the Cedar Valley and across the state. 

This session will provide a detailed overview of the resources we offer at Iowa Child Care Resource and Referral for communities and employers when it comes to finding childcare. We will also review the status of the community and an overview of Child Care Connections (C3) the new Iowa Dashboard.  Participants will walk away with resources to educate employees and their community.

Presenters

Mary Janssen
Children and Family Services Director, Child Care Resource and Referral of NE Iowa

Mary Janssen is the Regional Director of Child Care Resource and Referral of Northeast Iowa. Mary has been in the Child Care field for over 25 years. Her career started as a classroom teacher and move her way to a Center Director until she landed at Child Care Resource and Referral of Northeast Iowa in 2006 as the Iowa’s Quality Rating System Specialist for the Northeast corner of the state. In 2012, she became the Regional Director. Throughout her career she has served on many committees, helped form Child Care workgroups in communities and in 2021 was selected to serve on Governor Reynolds Child Care Task Force. In the last five years Mary has also served as a Consultant for an Architecture firm in Cedar Falls, Iowa, Levi Architecture. In this role she supports communities by completing business plans, proformas and playground design.

Mary holds a BA in Elementary Education and a MS in Early Childhood Leadership and Administration. 

Learning Objectives

1. Provide an overview of services offered to families, employers and community partners. (CCR&R Parent Referral Services, Child Care Connection (C3) Dashboards, additional handouts about childcare)

2. Review and explain the different types of childcare in Iowa. (Care Care Center, Child Development Home and DE programs)

Presenter

Leann Corwin
FaDSS Coordinator

Presenter

Sarah Rosol
Instructional Faculty, UNI Wilson School of Business, University of Northern Iowa