At Zepf Center, we know that providing connected, person-centered care starts with investing in the people who make that care possible. Throughout this summer, our team has continued to learn, grow, and bring new ideas back to Zepf Center through national conferences, specialized trainings, webinars, and professional development opportunities.
Over the past few months, Zepf Center team members represented our organization at trainings and conferences across Ohio and the country, from Columbus to Nashville to Dallas. Each experience expanded our knowledge, strengthened our professional skills, and gave us new tools to better serve the people and communities who count on us. These opportunities also reflect the wide range of expertise that is critical to providing truly connected care.
In July, leaders from our Recovery Housing team attended the Ohio Recovery Housing (ORH) Application Boot Camp Training in Columbus, OH, strengthening their knowledge and skills related to recovery housing certification, updated requirements, and application changes. On the clinical side, several staff based in our Recovery Services department also completed ASI-5 On Demand Training, adding to our team's continued commitment to evidence-based assessment and clinical excellence.
Our team also expanded its knowledge in specialized areas of care and community support. Members of our Gambling Treatment team represented Zepf Center at the National Conference on Problem Gambling in Nashville, TN, bringing back new perspectives and best practices to support individuals and families affected by problem gambling. Team member Aubrey Frye also participated in the “Are We Missing the Full Picture? Beyond Clinical Gambling Treatment” panel at this conference, sharing her expertise with professionals from across the nation.
Our Safety Net and Youth Services teams have stayed engaged across the state, traveling to Columbus, OH, to attend the Human Trafficking Summit. Throughout the event, our team joined countless law enforcement teams, prosecutors, advocates, and service providers to continue working collaboratively to combat human trafficking and help ensure that victims are identified and protected. Our team was grateful for the opportunity to gain valuable insight into this issue, which has a significant impact on mental health, safety, and recovery.
Most recently, members of our Fatherhood Connections team traveled to Dallas, TX for the Healthy Marriage & Responsible Fathers (HMRF) Grantee Conference. Attending several panel discussions, seminars, professional development, and networking events, this team seized the invaluable opportunity to learn from professionals across the country and strengthen their work supporting local fathers across Northwest Ohio.
For our teams, professional development is more than checking a box or adding another training to a resume. It means making an investment in the quality of care we provide, and creating a healthier, more connected community along the way. Every new skill, strategy, and perspective our team brings back to Zepf Center has the potential to improve client connection, enhance program collaboration, and respond to the changing needs of those we serve.
“Attending conference[s] supports our agency by strengthening our ability to provide comprehensive, evidence-based treatment that addresses both the clinical and practical aspects of recovery,” said Manager of Gambling Treatment and Prevention Megan Poliquin. “Increased awareness of new technologies, counseling resources, and emerging trends will help us better meet clients' needs and adapt our services as the [treatment] landscape continues to evolve.”
At the heart of everything we do, Connected Care empowers us to recognize that no single service or professional can meet every need. By continually developing our staff and expanding our expertise, we strengthen the connections between mental health, physical health, recovery, prevention, family support, and community resources.
Often, one of the most exciting parts of professional development is the opportunity for our staff to learn alongside leaders and professionals from across the country. These experiences allow our team to see what is happening beyond Northwest Ohio, learn from emerging practices, and bring nationally recognized ideas back home to the people we serve.
“Professional development allows our staff to step outside of our normal environment, learn from leaders and peers across the country, and share the knowledge we’ve gained through our own work,” said Zepf Center CEO Deb Flores. “When staff have opportunities to learn, connect, and grow, they bring that growth back to our organization and, ultimately, to the people and communities we serve.”
Zepf Center’s participation in conferences and specialized trainings also reflects the quality and expertise already present within the organization. Zepf Center staff are not only consumers of new knowledge; they are often at the forefront of national conversations about behavioral health, recovery, family support, and integrated care.
As we continue through this year, we are proud to celebrate the curiosity, dedication, and commitment of our team. Together, we are building a stronger organization and creating even more opportunities for hope, recovery, and connected care.
Professional growth is just one of the ways we invest in our people, and we’re always looking for passionate, dedicated individuals who want to grow alongside us. If you’re looking for an opportunity to make a meaningful difference, build your skills, and be part of a team committed to Connected Care, we’d love to meet you.
Visit www.zepfcenter.org/careers to explore current job openings and find your next opportunity to grow, connect, and make an impact.
