Our Vision
Best practice in practice.
History
Zepf Center first opened as the Elizabeth A. Zepf Community Mental Health Center in 1974. Named after a Toledo resident who was very active in mental health service development, originally the agency was primarily concerned with post-psychiatric hospitalizations treatment of residents of the South catchment area of Lucas County.
The agency began to expand in 1977 by opening a satellite office and applying for a federal operations grant to become a more comprehensive community mental health center. After Julius A. Gamble resigned in 1978 H. Lynn Chenault was named as the second Executive Director.
In 1979 the center continued to expand with agency staff as well as building space. The first day treatment program begun and the agency was now providing aftercare, older adult, outpatient, children’s emergency, medical, psychological, substance abuse, rape counseling, consultation, and education services.
Throughout the end of the 1970s and beginning of the 1980s expansion and relocation continued. Older adult day treatment programs and a residential treatment center opened. In 1983 Virginia Ferree was named the agency's third Executive Director.
As federal funds began to decline the agency decided to commit itself to people with a severe and persistant mental illnesses in 1984. MERIT Industries was formed to address the vocational needs of that population.
Zepf was awarded HUD 202 funds for two group homes and an apartment building in 1985. Throughout the end of the 1980s case management services evolved and grew.
In 1988 employees elected District 1199 SEIU, the Health Care & Social Services Union, AFL/CIO as their exclusive bargaining agent. Also this year Maumee House, Ottawa House, and the Oaks were completed and accepted their first residents.
The agency underwent a major reorganization in 1989 closing their programs for young children, families, and older adults.
The beginning of the 1990s was focused on continued adjustment and relocation as the restructuring was completed. MERIT Industries regroups to provide vocational services at the work sites of community employers and is renamed NetWORK.
In 1995 service and administrative staff moved to 6605 W. Central Ave., and in 1996 24-hour, 7-day a week service availability was initiated. The fourth HUD-financed housing project, Stewart Apartments, opens this year as well.
The agency was first accredited by JCAHO in 1998.
Kendall Alexander is hired as Chief Executive Officer in 2003. The agency received a grant from the county to manage the local One Stop in Lucas County named, The Source.
In 2004 Zepf Center celebrated its 30th year in operation.
Jennifer Moses was named Chief Executive Officer in 2007. Clustering was reintroduced as an evidence based clinical practice for Zepf Center.
Children and Adolescent services began in 2009 along with the Wellness Management and Recovery program.
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FAQ
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