Stacy Sprung, along with the residents at the Ottawa House have started a garden. They have fruits, vegetables, and plants that have been growing for the past couple of months. Everyone seems to be enjoying this activity and showed the garden off by throwing a picnic on July 19^th

The Zepf Center is now using electronic prescription software for your safety and convenience.

Because of the overwhelming response and positive feedback from the families that participated in our Summer Youth Program last year, we have expanded our staff and services this year.  In 2009, we held three sessions and served approximately 60 youth.  This year, we are holding 12 sessions, and expect to serve over 200 youth.  Our summer program services are provided to youth between the ages of 7 and 17, who exhibit symptoms of serious mental health issues.  Clients learn social skills building, self esteem, coping strategies, interpersonal relations, making positive choices, conflict resolution, anger management techniques, self-control strategies, and anxiety reduction. Clients learn to utilize these skills to assist in decreasing unwanted behaviors and symptoms at home, community and school environment in regard to family, siblings and peers.

On Sunday, May 16 at 5:30 p.m., on WGTE, there will be a national broadcast of The Misunderstood Epidemic: Depression. For more details go to: http//www.misunderstoodepidemic.com/

May is Mental Health Month which began in 1949. This year, the theme "Live Your Life Well" challenges us to promote whole health and wellness in homes, communities, schools, and inform those who don't believe it's attainable. In celebration of the Mental Health month on May 19th, the Zepf Center will be recognizing the staff's important contributions to the community. Thank you all for your continued support in recovery!

In February 2010, Zepf Center celebrated the 1^st year anniversary of the Child and Adolescent Services at the Nebraska street location. In the 12 months since then, great strides have been made. There have been 800+ youths enrolled in services including case management, office and in-home therapy, and psychiatric treatment services. The children's doctors include Dr. Nancy Carroll, MD, Karen A. Kindervater, MD, Tabinda Rehman and, Kathryn Boehm, MD. Group therapy in areas such as anger management, and diagnoses specific programming is also available. In addition, the Child and Adolescent Department began a summer program in June. This afforded 60 youths from The Zepf Center opportunities to constructively spend 4 weeks receiving group therapy and going on day trips to area locales such as the metro parks, bowling, swimming, movies, and other adventures. Our first After-school program, focusing on social and living skills, began in March.  As well as providing services to the youth of our community, the Child and Adolescent Program employs over 40 professionals dedicated to helping the youth in our community. The program looks forward to continuing its growth with the goal of being the first choice for youth in our community in need of mental health treatment.

Thank you Gallon, Takacs, Boissoneault, and Schaffer for your sponsorship!

Zepf Center's 3^rd Annual Serve Up an Ace fundraiser was held Friday, March 5 at Laurel Hill Swim and Tennis Club, and was sponsored by Gallon, Takacs, Boissoneault, and Schaffer.  The evening included tennis drills and contests as well as a $2,500 raffle, a 50/50 raffle, a silent auction, a DJ, and delicious food.  Thank you to our food sponsors Le Pam Pam, City Barbeque, Le Petit Gourmet, Michael's Bakery and Cafe, Campus Oasis, Plate 21, and William Dunn who donated items from Thrush's Bakery. 

Zepf Center's Child and Adolscent department recently was awarded a Mult-Systemic Therapy (MST) grant.  Mutli-systemic therapy (MST) is intensive treatment based in the home and community that addresses the multiple determinants of serious behavior issues in juvenile offenders.  The multi-systemic approach views individuals as being nested within a comples network of interconnected systems that include individuals, family, peer, school, and neighborhood factors.  Interventions may be necessary in any one or combination of these systems to assist in the treatment of the individual.