Jo Ann holds a Bachelor of Arts in sociology and criminal justice from Graceland University, and holds a Master's in leadership and development from Drake University. She joined the CWRTP in April 2013 as a trainer, and became the program director for Parenting: It's A Life in March 2016. Jo Ann has worked in the child welfare arena since 2007. She served as a foster and adoptive licensing worker at Children’s Square USA/Iowa Kids Net, and as a behavioral health intervention specialist with Sequelcare of Iowa. She also worked for the Department of Corrections as a counselor and program coordinator, coordinating offender education planning to meet parole board recommendations.