Hi! I’m Kathie Reuss, a longtime Knoxville resident and proud AIMHiTN team member since March, 2024. I am thrilled to be part of the Community Engagement team as a Community Liaison and am so excited to play an active role in the important work surrounding Infant Mental Health in Tennessee! 

My journey started with an innate need to be around babies! At a young age, I enjoyed sitting at the kids’ table, entertaining my younger cousins, and babysitting for all the neighborhood littles. I obtained degrees in Deaf Education, Sign Language Interpreting, and Human Services from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee and the University of Tennessee – Knoxville. Those experiences led me into the world of early intervention (birth – 3), a field that has kept me hooked for over 20 years. 

I have spent my career working with amazing people, agencies, and organizations; all dedicated to serving young children and their families. I have spent time in areas of child development, parent education, home visiting, service coordination, early childhood evaluations, childcare, and family support, all while keeping our little ones in mind.  I’m privileged to hold the IMH-E® endorsement as the cherry on top of my educational and professional milkshake.  

When I’m not working, you will find me outside. I love to spend time with friends, dig in the garden, take walks/hikes, get in my kayak, and relax on the porch. My own mostly grown children - August, Asha, and Em - keep me grounded, laughing and remembering just how precious this life is.