Wednesday, January 22, 2025

The Pathway’s Peer Services team is a diverse and skilled group of peers dedicated to providing mental health and recovery support in the northeast Iowa region. Comprised of peer recovery specialists (PRS), recovery coaches (RC), a family peer support specialist (FPSS), and a veteran peer support specialist (PSS), their team brings a wealth of experience to the table. This dedicated team serves six counties in northeast Iowa (Black Hawk, Bremer, Buchanan, Butler, Chickasaw, and Grundy County), delivering vital prevention and treatment services that promote mental health and well-being in the community.

One of their core services is the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC), which offers comprehensive community-based mental health care. The team also provides peer support through the Integrated Health Home (IHH) model and wellness centers. The IHH focuses on holistic, coordinated care across different health services to help adults and children achieve better mental and physical health outcomes. Their wellness and recovery centers are welcoming places where adults can drop in for peer support in an informal setting. They are safe spaces for people to connect, share their experiences, and receive the support they need in their journey toward recovery. You can find their newest wellness and recovery center at 1827 1 Street W Suite C, Independence, Iowa. It is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. 

Pathways Peer Staff

 

Jennifer (Jen) Riley, a key member of the team, emphasizes the importance of understanding how human connection is part of the healing process.  “The magic is within the ability and willingness to share the human experience with one another,” she said. This shared connection is a cornerstone of the team’s work, as it allows individuals to feel understood, validated, and supported by others who have walked similar paths.

Their team includes highly experienced peer professionals, each specializing in different aspects of support. They include:

  • Jen Riley, peer supervisor and MHPSS, oversees the peer support services, ensuring their effective delivery. Jen brings a person-based approach to her work as a leader and as a peer. 
  • Emily Meier is a PRS with a special focus on supporting veterans and addressing their unique needs. 
  • Jolene Switzer, Deena Franks, Sydnie Stempien, and Candace Hovenga are recovery coaches. They are dedicated to inspiring and guiding individuals in recovery, helping them build the skills and confidence necessary to lead fulfilling lives. 
  • Rebecca Mennenga-Foster, a family peer support specialist and PRS, guides families of individuals dealing with mental health or substance use challenges. 
  • Shayler Kramer, a PRS, offers mental health peer support, focusing on emotional well-being and support.

Together, this group of peer professionals brings a wealth of knowledge, empathy, and practical experience to those they serve, ensuring that Iowans receive the support they need to thrive in their communities. 

Please contact Katelyn Akright at katelyn-akright@uiowa.edu if you have questions about what you’ve read or Pathway services. You can also contact Pathways directly.