Families, Inc.

01/19/2026

Introducing Brooke Reynolds as our staff spotlight this month! Brooke works for Families, Inc. providing services for both Behavioral Health Intervention Services and our Nurturing Parent Program (NPP) services. This program is supported by Johnson County DECAT, so there is no cost to the parents who participate in the program. The Nurturing Parenting curriculum was developed by Dr. Stephen J. Bavolek, which has a proven record of positive results. Lessons are provided once a week for 10 weeks, where each week has a different topic that they focus on. Brooke had the following to say about her favorite thing about providing this service to families;

"One thing I enjoy about NPP services is helping parents who need it. Parenting doesn’t necessarily come with a manual, so helping them understand basic knowledge and growth of their children, can be a huge stress relief for them. Sometimes we as parents just need to be heard and know they are doing a good job! There’s no way to be a perfect parent, but there are a million ways to be a really good one!!"

She also had the following to share about herself;

What is the most challenging part of your job with Families, Inc. and why? The most challenging part of my job is just dealing with the different family structures, remembering how everyone operates within their own home, and being able to adjust to each of those individually.

What’s one habit you’ve developed that has positively impacted your life? One good habit that has helped me develop is flexibility. This trait needs to be used in all areas of life, so it’s a good one to have!

What is a character trait you have that is helpful for others? Being kind to others. Uplifting others in their time of need, or just simply being there for them. Being kind can be shown in so many ways and if everyone took the time to just remember to be kind, the world would be a much better place!

Do you have any DIY projects you’re working on? DIY projects in my house are always flowing. We do a lot of our in-home projects when it comes to updating our house. I make and create shirts, cups, and lots more right out of my kitchen! DIY Is always encouraged in our house!

What’s the most challenging hobby you’ve ever taken up? The most challenging hobby we have is stock car racing. We eat, sleep, and breath racing 365 days a year. We spend every weekend at the dirt track come summer. Winter is spent in the garage preparing for the next year. However, there is nothing I would change about it. It's tough, hard, and sometimes feels like it's all for nothing. However, the dedication, hard work, sportsmanship, and amount of amazing people you meet along the way, is worth every minute of it!

If you could meet your past self, what would you share? If I could go back and meet my past self, I would remind myself to never stop loving yourself!! We only have one life to live. Live it to the fullest and take the chances! You get once to live this life!

We want to thank you for taking time to learn about our programs and staff here at Families, Inc. Come back next month where we will feature another member of our amazing team providing mental health services around the state of Iowa!

11/10/2025

We are excited to introduce our staff spotlight, Pam Hayes! Pam is one of our Respite Providers at Families, Inc. She has worked with Families, Inc. since 2021, providing exceptional care to our clients. Respite providers' main responsibility is to give parents or guardians of their special needs children a short-term break by providing care for their children. This gives the parents or guardians the opportunity to recharge and attend to personal matters. Allowing caregivers this necessary reprieve provides so much comfort to families, preventing burnout and enhancing the emotional well-being of the family as a whole. We are truly grateful for our respite providers and all they do. Read on to learn a little about Pam.

What is your favorite part of your job with Families, Inc. and why? I have the chance to positively influence young people, helping them build the skills they need to succeed in their adult lives.
What is a fun fact about you that may surprise people? I sing and play piano with my church worship team.
What is the best piece of advice someone has given you? Mistakes are universal. What sets people apart is their ability to learn from them and improve.
What are you most passionate about, outside of work? My favorite times are spent with my family—my husband, our two dogs, and our three daughters whenever they're able to join us.

We hope you enjoyed learning a little more about Pam! Make sure to follow our page for more staff spotlights and upcoming awareness articles.

08/26/2025

The purpose of this Families, Inc. staff spotlight is so you may learn more about our amazing staff! This post highlights one of our Licensed Counselors, Alyssa Dlouhy.

Alyssa recently attained licensure as an Independent Social Worker, after working hard towards this goal under supervision. She has been with Families, Inc. since 2017, providing valuable services to our children and families throughout Eastern Iowa. Read on to learn more about Alyssa. She is such an asset to our company!

Alyssa, can you describe one of your favorite work memories?
This is a tough one—there are so many! One that I will never forget is when I was an intern, just starting with Families, Inc. I was helping my supervisor set up her office at a school. We were unpacking boxes and discovered a family of wolf spiders. We thought we got them all out; however, in the middle of my very first counseling session with a client, several more, very large spiders crawled out of a box. I am pretty sure I was more terrified than the client. It was at that point, I realized I was the therapist, and I needed to get it together! I definitely questioned my career choice! However, I am happy to say, I made it through, and the client even helped us remove the spiders. I am so glad I did not give up on that first day, otherwise, I would not have had the opportunity to experience so many great memories working for Families, Inc.!

What did you want to be when you grew up?
When I was little, I was obsessed with princesses and wanted to be one myself!

What energizes you and drains you when you're at work?
I love that my job currently consists of working with children and families in their homes. This allows me to move around and not have to stay in one spot. I find it very energizing to be in a new environment each hour. I love to incorporate creativity, movement, and nature into my sessions. I can see that these are big energy boosters not only for myself, but my clients as well. It can be draining to be stuck behind a desk or computer all day!

Name a role model who has inspired you in your current work roles:
When I was in middle school, my mom made me go to therapy. Of course, as a teenager, I did not think I needed therapy and was pretty resistant. I went through several therapists whom I did not click with. However, I eventually met Becky. In my very first session, Becky offered me a choice to go back into her office or leave without seeing her. Up to this point, no other therapist asked me what I wanted. She allowed me the power to choose. I finally felt heard. From this point on, I continued to see Becky up until I left for college. Through my own personal therapy, I learned that a positive, therapeutic relationship can truly change someone's life. Becky inspired me to want to create a welcoming, safe environment for children and families to discover their own power and capabilities to grow and heal.

If you could have one superpower, what would it be and why?
As a therapist, I think it only makes sense to want to be able to read minds. Having the power to read minds would help me further understand and be able to support the individuals that I work with.

We hope you enjoyed learning a little more about Alyssa! Make sure to follow our page for more staff spotlights in the future!

02/26/2025

We want to express our appreciation to some very important companies for donating the opportunity for our clients to enjoy some amazing activities for free. The Iowa Children’s Museum continues to donate free entry to our clients and their families so they can learn through play in their exhibits. The Rink at Coral Ridge has kindly donated the opportunity for some of our clients to go ice skating, along with free rental skates while they do, providing them with a fun activity to do while burning off some energy. Pizza Ranch of North Liberty has kindly donated some game cards so our clients can play in the Fun zone arcade while working on appropriate behaviors in social environments. Bowldogs kindly donated the opportunity for some of our clients to go bowling and enjoy some refreshing non-alcoholic beverages while they are there, allowing our clients an amazing time while helping Bowldogs with their mission to give back to the community with their new business. Our clients and our company appreciate the generous donations of these local businesses. Due to their kindness, we have a lot of happy clients, who are able to work on social skills out in the community which they otherwise may not be able to afford. THANK YOU ALL!!!!

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07/22/2024

Families, Inc. is thrilled to celebrate our 50th Anniversary, and we warmly invite you to join us for an Open House in honor of this special milestone. Come meet some of our administrative team, share in our reflection and celebration, and help bring our community together!

Date: July 26th
Time: 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Location: 233 S. 2nd Street, West Branch

Refreshments will be provided as we commemorate five decades of service and support.

We look forward to sharing this joyous occasion with you!

07/18/2024

At Families, Inc. we are deeply grateful for the visionary leadership of our Executive Directors over the years. Their dedication and passion have shaped our mission and driven our success. Today, we honor their contributions and celebrate the lasting impact they've made on our community. We appreciate their unwavering commitment to making a difference.

Director (1974-1985) - Michael "Mike" Ryan
Director (1985-2001) - Barbara "Barb" Ruppel
Director (2001-2021) - Mary Kay Townsend
Director (2021 - Present) - Amy Gosnell

07/09/2024

Since our founding in 1974, Families, Inc. has continually evolved to meet the changing needs of our community.

From our humble beginnings, where we started in 5 counties to aid in building family strengths and preserving family units, we've expanded our programs to include comprehensive mental health services, family counseling, and community outreach initiatives in over 20 counties in Iowa. Our commitment to fostering strong, healthy families remains unwavering. Thank you for being part of our journey!

Swipe to see how our programs have evolved and expanded over the years.

07/05/2024

We are proud to reflect on the incredible journey of Families, Inc. in Iowa. Our first location, we established in 1974, was a modest office with a big dream: to support and strengthen families in our community. It was here that our dedicated team began their mission to provide essential services and create a positive impact.

Today, we are thrilled to be operating from our current location at 233 South 2nd Street, a facility that allows us to serve even more families with enhanced resources and programs. This growth is a testament to the unwavering commitment of our staff, the trust of the families we serve, and the support of our community partners.

As we look back on our 50 year journey, we are filled with gratitude and pride. Thank you to everyone who has been a part of our story. We look forward to continuing our mission and making a difference in the lives of families across Iowa.

06/19/2024

Today, we celebrate Juneteenth, which honors the day in 1865 when the last enslaved African Americans in Texas learned of their freedom, two years after the Emancipation Proclamation.

This day serves as a reminder of the resilience and strength of the African American community, while providing an opportunity for all Americans to consider how we can make our society more just and equitable.

With that said, we invite you to join us in celebrating and commemorating this important day. Use today to reflect on what ways we as society, can continue to push towards a better tomorrow.

06/16/2024

This Father's Day, let's embrace the beautiful, unpredictable dance known as fatherhood, a journey filled with fun routines, endless improvisation, and moments that turn into cherished memories.

No matter how you choose to celebrate, may your Father's Day be nothing short of wonderful! 🎉

06/09/2024

Today is National Children’s Day and Families, Inc. is thrilled to invite you to celebrate the boundless potential and promise that each child holds. But this special day is more than just festivities; it's a heartfelt call to action. 💖

🚨 Consider the following:

- Over 9 million children in America are battling the hardships of living in poverty.
- About 20% of kids in the U.S. face obesity, a threat to their future health.
- In 2021, around 600,000 children experienced abuse and neglect, according to the latest national data.

Our heart at Families, Inc. beats for empowering children through our commitment to strengthen individuals and families through therapy, education, and support services in homes, offices, and our communities.. We stand firm in our belief that every child deserves a chance to thrive, learn, and grow in an environment brimming with support. We provide intensive in-home services to utilize the strength within the family, preventing family break-up, and to expand the parameters of effective community-based treatment resources.

Interested in supporting our mission? Consider making a donation or getting involved with our cause. Discover how by visiting our website: https://familiesinc.org/

06/03/2024

June is National Men's Health Month! 🚹

Did you know that men are significantly less likely than women to seek medical advice or schedule regular health check-ups? Only 60% of men make it a priority to visit the doctor annually, and 40% wait until they're faced with serious health issues to seek medical attention.

This Men’s Health Month, let's support the men in our lives. Encourage them to schedule regular health check-ups, openly discuss mental well-being, and consult health care professionals for any concerns.

Read the graphic for more facts about men’s health, and be sure to share with your network to spread awareness 💙

Interested in getting involved? Know someone who needs help? Consider getting involved with our cause. Visit our website: https://familiesinc.org/ for more information.