Team CSA Staff

Each employee is an important part of our team. Our team and staff promote growth and resiliency at all levels. We make hope tangible. We do this by being flexible, supportive, and accountable to each other and the community. The individuals we support experience a wide range of disabilities, including intellectual disabilities and other developmental disabilities, brain injury, mental illness, and substance use.

Although our office is located in Des Moines, Community Support Advocates Integrated Health Program provides services in Polk, Warren, Story, and Jasper County. We provide Case Management and Service Coordination to individuals living in Polk County. We also provide integrated services such as Community Living, Employment and Education Supports, and Recreational Supports, to individuals in Polk County. These services are driven by choice, with a focus on individualized community services and supports, and maximum community integration. CSA promotes a collaborative culture both within and outside of the organization, working together to meet the needs of persons served.

Executive Team

Christina Smith

President/CEO

Christina Smith has worked for Community Support Advocates since 1998. She originally worked within the Integrated Services Program as an Integrated Service Coordinator, Team Leader, and then Director. Christina took over as CEO in 2009. She attended both Central College (Pella, IA) and Iowa State University (Ames, IA). She has a Bachelors Degree in Family Services and has over 22 years of experience supporting individuals with disabilities. Christina graduated from the Greater Des Moines Leadership Academy’s Transformational Leadership program in 2004, and the From Vision to Action Leadership Academy in 2009.

David Higdon

Director of Accounting and Clinical Services

David Higdon has spent 38 years working in various service delivery and system planning roles in the disability field. He has an undergraduate degree in social work from Iowa State University and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Drake University. He completed Unity Point, Polk County and Vision to Action Leadership programs. He has served as an adjunct faculty member at Grandview University.

Melissa Ahrens

Director of Case Management and Care Coordinator Services

Melissa Ahrens has been employed by CSA since 1998. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Simpson College with additional graduate study in Counseling at Drake University. Melissa is Licensed in Iowa as a Bachelor’s level Social Worker. She graduated from the Greater Des Moines Leadership Academy’s Transformational Leadership program in 2004 and has over 26 years of experience in the human services field.

Angela Wacker

Director of Operations and Integrated Services

Angela Wacker moved from Minnesota to Iowa in 2003 and began working with CSA as a Targeted Case Manager. In 2006 Angela became the Team Leader for the KEY program. Angela took over as Director of Operations in March of 2018. She has a Master’s in Psychology from Capella University. Angela has over 20 years of experience supporting individuals with disabilities.

Support Team

Integrated Services & KEY

Momentum Art

Integrated Health Home

Case Management and Service Coordination

Clinical Services