STAFF

Teresa Burke, Polk County Decategorization Coordinator

Teresa is responsible for the oversight of the Polk County Decategorization Cluster.  Teresa’s background ranges widely, from Social Worker, Benefits Administration Account Manager, DOL National Emergency Grant Service Area Coordinator and Director of the Central Iowa Re-engagement Center. She is a Certified Job Developer and has experience with providing assistance to the jobless and those without a High School diploma in the central Iowa area. As the Decategorization Project Coordinator, she has oversight of all Decat monies and initiatives, including all contracts and the Community Partnership for the Protection of Children. Teresa is also certified as a Family Team Meeting Facilitator and has a Bachelor of Science Degree from Iowa State University.

Cassie Kilgore, Polk County Decategorization Project & CPPC Coordinator

As the Project & CPPC Coordinator for Polk County Decategorization, Cassie is responsible for efforts to engage & involve stakeholders from throughout Polk County in our Community Partnerships for Protecting Children (CPPC) and for the management of a variety of projects. Cassie's background includes serving at the Decategorization Administrative Assistant in 2019, several years of business and finance experience, and Quality Assurance work at the Des Moines Veteran's Hospital Cassie holds a Bachelors of Science in Business Management, with minors in Social Work and Sociology. 

Diamond Denney, Polk County Decategorization Restorative Justice & Equity Coordinator

As the Restorative Justice and Equity Coordinator, at Polk County Decategorization, Diamond is responsible for establishing rapport with stakeholders in the community  and promoting collaboration to address issues of disproportionality among minorities in Polk County. Diamond not only addresses issues of disproportionality by initiating and coordinating a variety of projects at the Department of Human Services (DHS), but she coordinates Restorative Justice projects at Juvenile Court Services (JCS) as well. Diamond’s background includes growing up in Sioux City, Iowa and attending college at the University of Iowa. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and will soon complete her Master’s of Social Work degree from the University of Iowa.