Mike Bandstra, Attorney-at-Law
Mr. Bandstra graduated with a social work degree from Iowa State University in 1987. From 1987 to 1990, he worked as a foster care
worker for the Department of Human Services. In 1993, he received his law degree from the University of Iowa and worked as an attorney for the Youth
Law Center until 1995. Presently, Mr. Bandstra works in private practice and primarily represents children.
Alan Demmitt, Ph.D., L.P.C.C.
Dr. Demmitt currently is an Assistant Professor at the University of Dayton in Dayton, Ohio. He has an extensive background in
family systems theory, interviewing, and diagnosis of emotional and mental disorders. Dr. Demmitt has been published in the area of diagnostic
process and has presented both regionally and nationally.
Tom Follett, Senior Police Officer
Tom Follett has worked with the Des Moines Police Department since 1976. During that time, Tom has served as a patrol officer, has
worked with the Department’s tactical unit and administrative unit, and has served as a senior police officer. Since 1990, Tom has served as senior
police officer assigned to the sexual violence/intrafamily conflict section of the Des Moines Police Department. Tom is involved with the investigation of child
and adult sexual abuse cases as well as child trauma cases. Tom has provided training regarding the multidisciplinary investigation of severe child abuse.
Sandra Hewitt, Ph.D.
Dr. Hewitt is a child psychologist in private practice in St. Paul, Minnesota. She has worked in a variety of settings including both inpatient
and outpatient mental health, schools, student personnel, medical settings, Head Start, and community mental health. She helped create a specialty child abuse
center at Children’s Hospital in St. Paul, MN, and currently works part-time on the Failure to Thrive team at Hennepin County Medical Center.
Her involvement with sexually abused children spans 21 years, with an increasing focus on abuse assessment, intervention, and research with very young children,
a topic she speaks about both nationally and internationally. In 1995/96 she completed post-doctoral study in the areas of early memory and child development
and her book, Assessing Preschool Children with Allegations of Abuse, was published in 2000.
Deputy Doug Lande, Dallas County Sheriff's Office
Deputy Doug Lande has over ten years experience in law enforcement. He began his career in 1990 following the completion of an
Associate of Arts degree in Criminal Law from Waldorf Community College and attendance at the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy. He was awarded the
Dedicated Service Award in 1992 as a member of the Special Response Tactical Team of the Perry Police Department. He moved to the Dallas County
Sheriff's Office in 1995. In 1999 Deputy Lande was elected to the board of the Iowa Crime Prevention Association, where he currently serves as Vice
President. He is accredited with many programs including: Methamphetamine Awareness; Narcotic Awareness Program for public service agencies; Alcohol
Abuse Program for junior and senior high school students; and Constitutional Law class. His additional credits include: Certified School Resource Officer;
advanced training in narcotics detection and sobriety; membership in the National Sheriff's and Deputies Association.
Cory McClure, Assistant Polk County Attorney
Mr. McClure received his Juris Doctorate from the University of Iowa in 1991. Since that time, he has practiced law exclusively in juvenile court.
Mr. McClure first worked as a staff attorney at the Youth Law Center representing children in child abuse and neglect cases. Since 1995, he has been an assistant
Polk County Attorney in the juvenile division. Mr. McClure serves on the Iowa Supreme Court Committee on Child Welfare Matters, has presented the Juvenile Law
Update at the Spring State County Attorneys Conference, and has served on the YMCA Camp board.
Bonnie Mikelson, L.I.S.W., L.M.F.T.
Ms. Mikelson is an experienced trainer and therapist, currently providing outpatient mental health services at Mercy Psychiatric Services of
Central Iowa in Des Moines. She has a master’s in social work from the University of Iowa and is a clinical member and approved supervisor for the American
Association for Marital and Family Therapists. Her practice experience includes family systems treatment, outpatient mental health, supervision, and administration
of mental health center services. Ms. Mikelson is an independent trainer and consultant for the National Resource Center for Family-Centered Practice, providing
training and curriculum development for a variety of organizations since 1984.
Lori A. Mozena, M.S., L.M.F.T.
Ms. Mozena has been providing training throughout the United States since 1982. She currently provides statewide training to family
preservation staff. Ms. Mozena has developed and facilitated assessmenttraining during the past eight years. She has fifteen years of supervisory
experience in the area of program administration and direct services in the child welfare field.
Dr. Resmiye Oral, M.D.
Dr. Resmiye Oral is currently the Child Abuse Program Director (2001-2004), for the University of Iowa Children's Hospital, Iowa City, IA; and an
Assistant Professor for the University of Iowa Medical College (2001-2004). Dr. Oral was born in Izmir, Turkey, where she received her primary, high school,
and college educations. She completed her Residency in Pediatrics at Long Island College Hospital, New York, NY and her Fellowship in Child Abuse and Neglect at
Columbus Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH. She acted as chief resident at Long Island College Hospital.
Dr. Oral has several original articles, case presentations, review articles, book chapters, books, training kits, and course materials printed in both the English and
Turkish languages. She has attended various international scientific conferences and has participated in either oral or poster presentations. Dr. Oral has
lectured extensively in both the U.S.A. and Turkey on topics including, but not limited to, child abuse and neglect, sexual abuse in children, failure to thrive,
Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy, Shaken Baby Syndrome, fractures in children younger than three years of age, how to recognize and follow-up child abuse cases,
child abuse as a medical problem, how to implement a child abuse and neglect prevention program, and the pediatrician's role in child abuse recognition.
Dr. Oral is a member of the Turkish Association of Pediatrics, Turkish Medical Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, International Society for the
Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect. She is a member and one of the founders of the Ege Perinatology Association, Association of Infant Health, and
Children's Right Platform in Turkey. Dr. Oral has been a member of various children's rights groups, a translator at scientific meetings, responsible for
organization of meetings on neonatology and children's rights and child abuse, patient's rights, implementation of child abuse prevention programs, has organized
monthly case presentation days on child abuse, and has attended radio and TV programs to discuss perinatal-neonatal care, pediatric nutrition, vaccination
practices, breast milk, child abuse, and patient's rights.
Dr. Oral has received many awards and honors for her continued role in many programs regarding childhealth and child abuse
and neglect.
Glenn E. Pille, District Court Judge, Fifth Judicial District
The Honorable Glenn E. Pille is currently the Assistant Chief Judge for the Fifth Judicial District of Iowa. He has been a District Court
Judge since 1985. At this time he is assigned as the District Court Judge presiding over the Polk Co8unt Juvenile Court. He is a graduate of Loras
College in Dubuque and Drake Law School. Prior to his appointment to the District Court bench, he was the Polk County Juvenile Court Referee, was in
private practice and was a city prosecutor. He has been an instructor at various venues, including teaching at Drake University, DMACC and at numerous
workshops dealing with legal issues. Before attending Drake Law School, he was a high school history teacher and coach.
Judge Pille has also been or is currently involved with numerous committees and councils, including beinga Board member for the Iowa Judges
Association and for the National Conference on Christians and Jews; Chairman of the Iowa Supreme Court Advisory Committee on Rules of Juvenile Procedure;
Iowa Criminal and Juvenile Justice Advisory Council; Iowa Commission on Children, Youth and Families; Iowa Governor’s Task Force on Child Day Care;
and the C. Edwin Moore American Inn of Court.
Steve Quick, Social Worker III
Steve Quick has been employed by the Department of Human Services since 1977. Steve worked as a Social Worker II with the Work Incentive
Program from 1977 to 1988. From 1988 to the present, Steve has worked as a Social Worker III for Child Protective Services. Steve has conducted over 2,000 child
abuse assessments including more than 40 severe trauma cases. Steve has provided training regarding the multidisciplinary assessment of severe child abuse and
the reporting of child abuse.
Todd Savage, Child/Adult protective Supervisor, Polk County
Todd Savage has worked as a Youth Service Worker, Family Preservation Counselor, Fostercare Worker and Child Protective Worker before
his current position. He has completed the Applied Management Series and is currently involved with the statewide STAR Prioritization Committee and
developed user protocol. Mr. Savage has enjoyed seven years employment at the Department of Human Services and is working on hi Master of Social
Work degree. Mr. Savage believes it is our responsibility to the field of social work to inform the community of our professional accomplishments and the
difference we make in the lives of Iowans.
Christine Secrist-Mertz, Ph.D., L.M.F.T.
Dr. Secrist-Mertz has extensive experience in the child welfare field. She is published in the area of assessment of the needs of children
with disabilities. Dr. Secrist-Mertz also has twenty years of experience in the delivery of direct services to children and families. She has provided
training throughout the United States and has extensive background in the development and implementation of qualitative evaluation of treatment services.
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