Aligning policies, improving quality, and measuring results

As YPII’s Executive Director, Carol Behrer works extensively with state government and youth-serving organizations in Iowa on policy and program development, coordination, quality assurance, evaluation and training. Behrer has more than 25 years of experience in state and federal policy arenas. Prior to returning to her home state of Iowa, Behrer lived and worked in the Washington, DC area, serving as Associate Commissioner of the Family and Youth Services Bureau of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, as a senior legislative associate with the U.S. House of Representatives Education and Labor Committee, and as a legislative assistant to Iowa Congressman Tom Tauke. Behrer earned her BA at the University of Northern Iowa and an MA in Legislative Affairs at George Washington University.

Joanie Havel joined the team at the Youth Policy Institute of Iowa in July 2005 as the Iowa Aftercare Services Network (IASN) coordinator. Her responsibilities include overall coordination of the network, oversight of data collection and reporting activities, quality assurance, developing and maintaining partnerships, coordination with the Iowa Department of Human Services, and ongoing support and training to IASN case managers. Havel has over 20 years of experience in the human service field. Prior to joining YPII Havel worked at Four Oaks in Waterloo as a family therapist and Customer Care specialist. She also worked at the Abbe Center for Community Care in Marion, Iowa as a Social Worker, and at Central Iowa Residential Services Inc. (CIRSI) in Marshalltown with developmentally disabled adults. Havel earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Work at Mount Mercy College and is a Licensed Bachelor of Social Work.

Steve Havemann joined the Youth Policy Institute in March 2011 as the Project Manager. His responsibilities include overseeing the implementation of Opportunity Passport™, supporting InSight, the Youth Leadership Board for Opportunity Passport™, and assisting in quality assurance and monitoring of the Iowa Aftercare Services Network. Most recently, Havemann has taken on primary responsibility for launching the Volunteer Money Coach program in partnership with United Way of Central Iowa and several community organizations. Prior to joining YPII, Havemann worked with the Iowa Jobs for America’s Graduates program as Program Manager and Education Specialist. A native of Des Moines, Havemann graduated from Central College with a degree in Communications and Political Science; he is nearing completion of the graduate program in Adult Learning and Organizational Performance at Drake University.

Joanna McCaffery joined Youth Policy Institute of Iowa in December 2011 as the Director of Communications. Her responsibilities include the development of internal and external marketing communications, brand development and management, Public Relations, and online promotions. McCaffery has over 12 years of experience in Marketing Communications, Brand Management and Public Relations. She comes to YPII from ABCM Corporation where she held the position as Corporate Marketing Consultant. Prior to that McCaffery worked for CDS Global in Des Moines, Iowa, as Senior Communications Specialist. She also worked for Children & Families of Iowa as their Marketing Communications Coordinator. McCaffery earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Iowa State University with an emphasis on Technical and Professional Communications, specializing in Marketing Communications and Public Relations for both corporate and nonprofit environments.

Mark Behrer has been with YPII since its opening in 2000. In addition to his role as Chief Financial Officer, Behrer supports the Opportunity Passport™ program by monitoring all of the banking transactions of more than 100 participants, maintaining account data for the program, and serving as YPII’s primary liaison to the Greater Iowa Credit Union, the Opportunity Passport™ financial partner. Behrer is a native of Long Island, New York. He moved to Iowa in 1994, after living in the Washington DC area for a number of years.