Photo courtesy of GCMC

A Paton-Churdan graduate has been helping her alumni in ways to help improve their overall selves. 

P-C Principal Annie Smith says Madisyn Harrah, formerly Behrens, is a Licensed Master Social Worker with the Greene County Medical Center and she is also working as their Behavioral Health Specialist. Smith tells Raccoon Valley Radio they were awarded a grant to contract with Harrah for weekly services for students and their families, along with staff. She details that this has been a valuable asset for everyone and allows students to be better in the classroom.

“It’s nice to be able to also work with our staff to help educate them in be it’s common language that we’re using, giving us some tips and tricks to be able to better work and serve our students. You can’t go wrong with more additional collaboration and being able to just work hard to provide what kids need.”     

Smith adds that there are several positives with having Harrah on site once per week, including not having students and families travel outside of the county, students not missing school and it is not an inconvenience for families to meet with her. According to the medical center, Harrah earned her associate’s degree from Des Moines Area Community College, and then a bachelor’s degree in social work from the University of Northern Iowa. She then went on to obtain her master’s degree from Campbellsville University in Kentucky.