Virtual Secondary Traumatic Stress & Self-Care Conference

Sponsored by Central Iowa Community Services and PowerUp Youth.

Gladys Noll Alvarez MSW, LISW, IMH-E ® is the Trauma Informed Care Project Coordinator at Orchard Place/ Child Guidance Center.  She has worked with children and families since 1976 when she was a counselor with the Upward Bound program at Coe College. She earned her BA at Luther College in Social Work and Psychology, her Masters in Social Work at the University of Iowa and has been engaged in 2 separate year-long learning collaborative cohorts through the National Child Traumatic Stress Network.  She is trained in Trauma Focused-Cognitive Behavior Therapy (TF-CBT) and is rostered nationally in Child Parent Psychotherapy (CPP).  In June 2018 she received the Michigan Association for Infant Mental Health Endorsement as an Infant Mental Health Mentor – Clinical and is the first Level IV IMH-E ® in Iowa.  

Ms. Alvarez was a member of the C.A.N. Prevention Council, chairs the Steering Committee for the Regional Child Protection Center, is a member of the Model Court Team in Polk County, was part of the Court Improvement Task Force in 2005/2006, a member of the Zero to Three Safe Babies Court Team in Polk County, Charter Board Member of Shalom Zone Ministries from 1997-2005, a member of the Iowa Association of Infant & Young Children’s Mental Health and an active member of her church focusing on children’s issues. 

She has provided clinical therapeutic services for children and families who have experience trauma for over 30 years. In her role as the TIC Project Coordinator, she coordinates the networking of the TIC Project Stakeholder’s group and provides trainings on trauma informed care throughout the state and nationally. Ms. Alvarez coordinates the annual Psychological Trauma & Juvenile Justice conference, bringing national speakers on trauma to educate professionals and promote systemic change.

Ms. Alvarez is the recipient of many awards; the AL Schulte Award in 2000 for her professionalism, dedication and personal commitment to providing services for children and their families, in 2008 Orchard Place presented her with the “Voice for Children” award in recognition of exceptional commitment and service to the children of Orchard Place and in 2011 she received the Michele A. Moore Award of Distinction for her work in child advocacy.  Additionally, she co-authored 2 children’s books on trauma: Grandma Mary Says Things Happen: A guide to help children who have experienced trauma  and Grandma Mary Says Bullies Hurt.

Her passion is providing education and training which promote a trauma-informed care approach to interactions with children, families and in the work environment.