• Master degree in Social Work, (University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA)
• Bachelor degree in Social Work, (University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD)
• Licensed Master Social Worker by the South Dakota Board of Socail Worker Examiners (#1883)

• Working with teens and women with unplanned pregnancies providing them information to make decisions that are best for themselves and their baby.
• Explore both parenting and adoption options, making appropriate referrals to resources and support systems with birth parents and extended families if desired.
• Work with Adoptive Families to prepare for an adoption by providing home studies and education for domestic, international, and private adoptions.
• Complete required post adoption services and court reports for all of the above.
• Employed as a medical Social Worker being responsible for psychosocial assessments and the implementation of services, assisted with dishcarge planning and family counseling, provided educational information, and support group referrals.
• Assisted families as a Economic Assistance Caseworker, guiding them through the application porcess for Children's Health Insurance (CHIPS), Food Stamps, and Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF).
• Information Management Specialist for the South Dakota Air National Guard.

Machelle says...

"Working with pregnancy clients is very rewarding, espcially when clients readily review all the information about parenting and adoption and only then make the decision as to what is best for themselves and their baby. I am here to help the pregnancy clients whether they parent or place their baby. If they parent hopefully they will be a better parent and if they place the baby hopefully they will know peace with their loving choice."