Fun Facts: Cathy has been a member of the Central Place team since 1995, first as family support specialist, then as director in 2001. Her family includes husband of 22 years, two sons (ages 17 and 21) and a Bichon, Maddie. To maintain her flexibility of mind, body and spirit she takes yoga, gardens and loves to cook. P.S. She is also a cyclone fan.  

Jeff Longman, Associate Community Education Director
Jeff is in charge of development and implementation of a comprehensive community education program to serve all ages - early childhood, youth, adults, senior adults, and families in a variety of year around programming.

Fun Facts: Jeff joined the Central Place team in February 2009. He is a sports nut who enjoys participating in, watching and reading about football, basketball, golf, fishing, camping, and pumping iron. Sports teams that are near and dear to his heart include: the Iowa Hawkeyes, Chicago Bears, Iowa Chops and the Iowa Cubs.  When he is not knee deep in sports, he likes to spend time with family and friends, and track - Channel 13 weatherman - Ed Wilson’s forecast with cat-like prowess.

Pam Freeman, Family Support Specialist
When a crisis strikes, families may not know where to begin, what services are available, or how to access available resources. At Central Place, the family support specialist, Pam Freeman, assists individuals and families by providing information about local and nearby resources, and helping them take the necessary steps to find solutions to the problems life offers. An important aspect of the job is keeping current on local and nearby resources. This is accomplished by attending Caring Hands Outreach Center Board, Infant Mortality, and Parent Training Coordination Committee meetings, attending training opportunities, and working with local churches and agencies. Pam’s newest focus is family needs and issues through three tiers of involvement – resource referral, case management and the emerging Circles of Support program. 

Fun Facts: Pam has been a member of Central Place since July 2001. When she is not helping Southeast Polk families she enjoys spending time with her two adorable children, dining out and experiencing different cultures. 

Elaine Collet, Community Projects Specialist
At times Southeast Polk families may find it taxing on their household income when extra expenses for school, extra curricular activities and holidays arise.  Fortunately, programs such as New Shoes For You, School Supply Giveaway, Season of Sharing, and Kids Café, coordinated by Central Place’s community projects specialist, Elaine Collet, give families a little “breathing room.” Elaine keeps up-to-date on the issues the community faces and implements/conducts programs, such as the programs listed above, to address those issues. To carry out the programs and spread the word she tries to find the most effective ways to communicate with the public. To help create awareness of Central Place and its programs she helped spear head the creation of this website and is its chief maintainer.

Fun Facts: Elaine began her adventure at Central Place in May of 2006. She is a recent blushing bride to her husband Mike, and enjoys entertaining people with her quirky sense of humor, traveling, spending time with friends and family and doing anything creative. Her sports

Kelly Sievers, School Readiness Liaison
Kelly helps provide Ram All*Star scholarships for Southeast Polk preschool children, age three to five, to attend any Polk County preschool of the parent’s choice. Families enrolled in The Ram All*Star program receive monthly home visits from Kelly who supplies child-centered activities related to school readiness and essential research based school readiness skills. She also gives parents Family Follow-Up Activities sheets with ideas for things to do with the child throughout the month, to reinforce the new skills provided. 

Fun Facts: Kelly joined the crew in August 2007. She loves to spend time with her three adorable children and husband, Tony and cheer on her alma mater Iowa State University during their football season.

Jennifer Kise, School Readiness Liaison
Jennifer  is Central Place's second school readiness liaison for The Ram All*Star program, who provides scholarships for Southeast Polk preschool children, age three to five, to attend any Polk County preschool of the parent’s choice. Families enrolled in The Ram All*Star program receive monthly home visits from Jennifer who supplies child-centered activities related to school readiness and essential research based school readiness skills. She also gives parents Family Follow-Up Activities sheets with ideas for things to do with the child throughout the month, to reinforce the new skills provided. 

Fun Facts: Jennifer started during the busy time of School Supply Giveaway and New Shoes For You! at Central Place in August 2008. She likes family time with her husband Greg and son Aidan who will be attending his first year of preschool. Jennifer enjoys an eclectic mix of musical tunes, but country is the one genre that wins her heart above them all. When she is not busy with work and family you can find her curled up with a good book or finding all the good deals while she shops until she drops.

Judy Hamlin, Administrative Assistant
Judy oversees Central Place’s finances, schedules all appointments for the children’s clinic and keeps track of donations received.  When any of the staff needs help with projects Judy is always willing to pitch in. 

Fun Facts: Judy came back for her second round of fun with Central Place in February 2009, being the previous administrative assistant from February 2004 to May 2005. She loves spending time with and being entertained by her four grandchildren as well making time to read a good book. Judy is an avid outdoors woman who enjoys walking, biking and fishing in Canadian waters.

Rachel Buntenbach, Administrative Assistant/Facilities Scheduler
Rachel assists the Associate Director of Community Education with the coordination of year-round community activities.  Rachel is also responsible for the administration, coordination and scheduling of the Southeast Polk School District’s facility reservations.

Fun Facts: Rachel joined the Central Place team in October 2009.  Rachel stays busy taking care of her two children, with her fabulous husband, Eddie. In her free time, she enjoys running, reading and traveling.  She’s been to several different countries, but some of her favorites have been Ireland and St. Thomas, USVI.  Go Hawks!