Lori Rodriquez-Fletcher, LICSW Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker

07/30/2026

Congratulations to Katherine “Kate” Batt, PCMSW, PLMHP on taking and passing the ASWB exam today. This is the clinical exam for clinical social workers. Kate will be wrapping up her required 3,000 provisional hours and applying for full licensure soon. As her supervisor, I am incredibly proud of her and have enjoyed watching her learn and grow. We are so thankful she is a part of our team. Congratulations Kate 🎉

07/28/2026

Sidney~National Night Out

📣 𝗛𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝗱 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿 𝗬𝗲𝘁?📣

One of Sidney's favorite summer events is happening NEXT WEEK! ☀️💦

National Night Out is an evening packed with free swimming, a free hot dog meal, games, activities, first responders, and plenty of family fun.

🗓️ Do you have it on your calendar yet?

📅 Tuesday, August 4
⏰ 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
📍 Sidney Aquatic Center

Drop a 👍 in the comments if we'll see you there! 🎉

07/25/2026

🚨🚔🚓Alliance Police Department and Alliance Fire Department Invite Community to National Night Out🚒🚑🚨

ALLIANCE, Neb. — The Alliance Police Department and Alliance Fire Department invite residents of all ages to join them for National Night Out on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Alliance Fire Department.

National Night Out is an annual community-building event that brings neighbors and first responders together to strengthen relationships, promote public safety, and celebrate the partnership that helps keep Alliance a safe place to live, work, and raise a family.

The event will be co-hosted by Fire Chief Troy Shoemaker and Police Chief David Leavitt, along with members of the Alliance Fire Department and Alliance Police Department.

Families are encouraged to stop by and enjoy an evening filled with fun, including:

Meet your local firefighters, police officers, dispatchers, and other first responders
Tour fire trucks, police vehicles, and other emergency equipment
Face painting
Kids' temporary tattoos
Games and activities
Prizes and giveaways
And plenty of additional surprises throughout the evening

"This is one of our favorite events of the year because it gives us the opportunity to spend time with the people we serve in a relaxed, family-friendly setting," said Chief David Leavitt. "Strong communities are built on relationships, and National Night Out is a great opportunity to get to know your local first responders, ask questions, and simply enjoy an evening together."

Fire Chief Troy Shoemaker added, "Whether you've lived in Alliance your entire life or have just recently joined our community, we hope you'll come out and spend the evening with us. We're looking forward to meeting families, visiting with neighbors, and making this year's National Night Out our best yet."

There is no cost to attend, and everyone is welcome.

The Alliance Police Department and Alliance Fire Department look forward to seeing the community on Tuesday, August 4, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Alliance Fire Department, 315 Cheyenne Avenue, for an evening of fun, friendship, and community spirit.

07/22/2026

The ACE Study followed over seventeen thousand people and found something the medical world could no longer ignore. Childhood trauma is not just a mental health issue. It is a public health crisis hiding in plain sight inside every doctor’s office, emergency room, classroom, and prison in the country.

The study measured ten categories of adverse childhood experiences including abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction. What researchers found was staggering. The more adverse experiences a child had, the higher their risk for heart disease, cancer, diabetes, depression, addiction, su***de, and early death. Not slightly higher. Dramatically higher.

Two thirds of participants reported at least one adverse childhood experience. One in five reported three or more. These are not rare edge cases. This is the quiet background of millions of ordinary lives.

And yet childhood trauma remains one of the least funded, least discussed, and least addressed areas in mainstream healthcare. People are treated for the symptoms while the root cause goes unnamed, unacknowledged, and unhealed.

Every statistic in that study is a person. Possibly someone you know. Possibly you.

The first step toward changing a crisis is naming it. This community exists because naming it matters. 💙

READ AT PMID: 9635069

07/20/2026

Tomorrow is National BE SOMEONE DAY! This day was created with a simple but powerful purpose: encourage every adult to take action if they suspect a child is being abused or neglected. 

It only takes one person to change a child’s life. Be Someone.

On Be Someone Day, take action by joining us on Zoom for a free Child Abuse and Neglect 101 training. Learn to Be Someone who keeps kids safe.

07/19/2026

What we see on the surface is often only part of the story. When youth experience trauma, their visible behaviors may be just the “tip of the iceberg.” Underneath, there can be invisible wounds that shape how they respond to the world around them.

The trauma iceberg reminds us to look beyond what is immediately visible:
•Behavior is communication
•Symptoms are often survival strategies
•What may look like someone “being difficult” often someone doing their best to feel safe

Healing begins when we pause before only seeing the top of the surface and instead ask, “What might be happening underneath?” With compassion and trauma-informed support, youth can feel seen and safe enough to heal.

07/12/2026

07/10/2026

I first want to congratulate Nancy Bradford, LMHP at Destiny Counseling on her well-deserved retirement. Nancy has done so much for many clients in Sidney and the surrounding areas over her long career. She also allowed me to use office space in Sidney which I have greatly appreciated. With that said, I am happy to say that I will take over the office space. Look for some changes to the office over the next few months. I have also added another day per week to be in the Sidney office. Cheyenne Co has openly welcomed me and my practice. I am grateful and honored to have developed positive relationships with clients, the community, and professional partners. The phone number for the Sidney office will remain the same which is the number for all three office locations: Alliance, Scottsbluff, & Sidney 308-763-9261. My clinical interests include trauma and PTSD, abuse & neglect, child welfare, infant and early childhood mental health, child-parent psychotherapy, IoWA-PCIT, attachment and family therapy, adoption, and co-occurring disorders; however, I see clients of all ages and needs. Thank you for allowing me to serve you and your behavioral health needs.

06/28/2026

Today, June 27, is PTSD Awareness Day. Bring awareness, reduce the stigma, and know that mental health is just as important as physical health 🩵