As Kellie Collins, Early Childhood Family Support Worker, reflects on her over two decades of successes in her position, one fact remains true: Kellie was called to service.

Kellie has been with LSI for over 26 years, serving the Sioux City area. In her role, among many other services, Kellie holds groups in LSI’s Teen Parenting Program in high schools, where our program is the sole provider of this service.

“Each family and situation are unique, and we provide services in many different areas which include: setting goals; providing development tools and resources; coaching and teaching skills to both parents and children, and providing screening or referring families when needed,” said Kellie.

“I have seen much success with our programs and services in the Sioux City area,” said Kellie.

“In my years of service, I have witnessed: clients who have fought addiction and stayed sober; clients who have dealt with mental health issues; families who have been in the HHS system and have been able to stay on the right path and raise their children; parents who became citizens and purchased their first home, and first-generation students that  have graduated from high school or college.”

“The list of successes can go on and on, and there are many levels of success, whether big or small,” said Kellie. “I have learned along the way that we may never know how we have helped or impacted a family that we have worked with, but I love hearing from former families and learning how they are doing.”

A message from Mallory Berkenpas, Service Coordinator at LSI:

“Kellie Collins has been a constant comforting presence for the Siouxland families and communities she has served for the past 27 years. Kellie has witnessed the changes the field has experienced over time and continues to put her best foot forward in providing quality services to the children and families of Siouxland. Kellie has a profound passion and unique skill in building rapport and relationships with the families she serves and is a wonderful collaborative partner to peers, school districts, and the communities of Siouxland. Kellie is an immensely valued team member of the Early Childhood team in Sioux City and we are so incredibly grateful to have her!”