News Releases
May 16, 2012
Davenport, Iowa—Laurie Walters with LSI (Lutheran Services in Iowa) in Davenport recently received her licensing as a Registered Play Therapist and Registered Play Therapist Supervisor.
“This is an exceptional credential that few, if any, advanced clinicians possess,” said Scott Caldwell, LSI director of mental health and community services. “We’re extremely proud that this places Laurie in elite company as a practicing clinician, and it will enhance LSI’s quality services in Scott County and the surrounding areas.”
Registered Play Therapists are state licensed or certified practitioners who have a mental health graduate or higher degree, have been licensed by the applicable state licensing or certification authority and have completed a minimum number of hours of general clinical experience and supervision, play therapy training and supervision and continuing education.
Laurie Walters, LSI statewide coordinator of mental health services
“Play therapy is important because play is a natural way for children to communicate about significant events in their lives and what’s happening in their world,” said Walters, LSI’s statewide mental health coordinator. “When children experience trauma from abuse or neglect or instability because of a divorce or mental illness issues in their family, play therapy is an effective tool for helping them express their feelings.”
Walters has a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Marycrest College in Davenport and a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Iowa. She has over twenty years of experience in casework, clinical supervision, therapy and diagnostic assessments.
Walters is also a Licensed Independent Social Worker through the state of Iowa.
LSI’s Davenport site provides mental health services, behavioral health intervention services, child abuse prevention services, family team meetings and an array of community programs that fill gaps in traditional services for children and families.
Bremwood spiritual life grantMay 16, 2012
Waverly, Iowa – LSI’s (Lutheran Services in Iowa) Bremwood campus recently received a $4,000 grant from the Northeastern Iowa Synod to help enhance treatment provided to youth.
LSI offers optional spiritual life programming to youth at Beloit residential treatment center in Ames and Bremwood residential treatment center in Waverly. Beyond traditional clinical care, these special programs are designed to address the needs of mind, body and spirit.
“The Joehnke grant enables LSI to provide that extra component of optional treatment that isn’t covered by traditional revenue sources,” said LSI spiritual life leader Dennis Bauer. “To many of the kids we serve, it’s the piece of their treatment that makes everything else fit.”
Bauer said the grant will go toward incentives, snacks and handouts for spiritual life groups; devotional material and Bibles for residents; and faith based concerts.
A portion of the grant will be used to supplement this year’s National Chaplains Association for Youth at Risk (NCAYR) conference, which will be hosted in September on the Bremwood campus. The grant will also cover some of the stipend used to secure keynote speakers.
LSI’s Beloit and Bremwood Residential Treatment Centers are state-licensed, 24-hour PMIC (Psychiatric Medical Institution for Children) and RTS (Rehabilitative Treatment Services) facilities. The highly structured environment provides youth ages 5 to 18 with the necessary treatment to turn their lives around.
National Foster Care MonthMay 3, 2012
Des Moines – This May join LSI, a partner agency in Iowa KidsNet, in making a difference in the lives of children in foster care. May is National Foster Care Month, a chance to come together on behalf of the over 408,000 American children in foster care. (more…)
Principal Charity ClassicApril 25, 2012
Des Moines, Iowa – The Principal Charity Classic is coming to West Des Moines in less than two months! With it, comes Birdies for Charity, sponsored by Sammons Financial Group. (more…)
Summer at Beloit and BremwoodApril 24, 2012
Ames, Iowa – On LSI’s Beloit and Bremwood residential treatment campuses, summer is an important enrichment time for youth. (more…)
