September 21, 2015
Youth Policy Institute of Iowa expands staff to meet the growing needs of youth aging out of foster care

Youth Policy Institute of Iowa (YPII) has expanded staff to meet the ongoing needs of youth transitioning from adolescence to adulthood, particularly those who have been involved in child welfare (foster care) or juvenile justice systems.

Jolene Holden has joined the YPII team as the Project Manager. She will be working collaboratively with the YPII team and our state and local partners on a number of projects, with primary responsibility for managing Opportunity Passport™ and the InSight Youth Leadership Board, and contributing to all of the Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiatives. She will also help develop, pilot and sustain new initiatives, including programs to promote positive outcomes for youth in transition. Holden has over 20 years of experience in the human services field. Before joining YPII she was the Indian Child Welfare Act Coordinator under contract with the Iowa Department of Human Services. As a facilitator for the “Race: The Power of an Illusion” learning exchanges and a member of Iowa’s Cultural Equity Alliance Steering Committee she is dedicated to reducing disproportionality and disparity in the child welfare system. Holden earned her Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology from Sam Houston State University.

“We are very excited to welcome our new team members,” says Carol Behrer, Executive Director of Youth Policy. “The wealth of experience and knowledge they bring to the YPII family is immeasurable, and further strengthens our ability to meet the on-going needs of these young people.”

Courtney Grotenhuis and Robert Bibens have joined the YPII team as Program Associates. Grotenhuis’ primary responsibilities include supporting OPT-In and the Iowa Aftercare Services Network. Bibens will work primarily with Opportunity Passport™. Both will be involved in the further development of the InSight Youth Leadership Board.

Grotenhuis comes to YPII with a background in customer service, experience in research and the desire to support Iowa’s youth. Grotenhuis earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology at Iowa State University and is currently working toward her Master of Public Administration with an emphasis on Non-Profit Management from Drake University.

Prior to joining the YPII, Bibens served with several AmeriCorps programs, each with a strong emphasis towards youth and leadership development. These programs included City Year Little Rock, Offender Aid and Restoration of Arlington, Virginia, and most recently as a Program Manager with the City Year startup site in his hometown of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Bibens earned his Bachelor of Arts in Politics and Government from Drury University.