Employee & Family Resources

10/09/2025

Congratulations to Alli Conrad, one of our Outpatient Clinicians for recognition as the Iowa Association for Play Therapy member of the month! Alli has been doing play therapy for seven years and received her RPT in 2023. Alli's favorite toys in her playroom are puppets and sand. When asked what her favorite intervention is, she said, “My favorite directive intervention is a Coping skills spinner—kids cut out pictures of coping skills and glue them on to a spinner that they get to take home. They can then use the spinner at home to help them select a coping skill to use when needed. But I am really non-directive at heart, so my favorite intervention is client-centered play, and whatever the client needs in that session to promote healing.” What Alli loves most about play therapy is that, “kids get to be their authentic selves in an environment they know is safe. And that they get to use play and toys to express themselves if words feel too overwhelming in the moment, or if they don’t have the words to use.”

10/09/2025

10/08/2025

This month, our host, Johanna Dunlevy talks with Sydney Marshman, an occupational therapist and the founder of Happy at Home Consulting. In this episode you'll learn what occupational therapy (OT) really is, how it relates to mental health, and how proactive planning can help people stay home and live well.
https://na2.hubs.ly/H01tyGj0

10/06/2025

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is about more than pink—it’s about people and their stories. EFR's Louise Crall is a 10-year breast cancer survivor. In this blog, she talked with us about noticing the first signs, navigating treatment, leaning on community, and what can help individuals going through cancer treatment both at work and at home.

For Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we spoke with Louise Crall, Human Resources and Community Engagement Director at EFR. Louise is a 2-time cancer survivor, 15 years post-cervical cancer and 10 years post-breast cancer. We talk about noticing the first signs, navigating treatment, leaning on communi...

10/02/2025

Yesterday, our EFR team members joined Iowa Healthiest State Initiative andIowans across the state for the Healthiest State Walk. A simple 30 minutes can make a big difference—let’s keep moving together toward a healthier Iowa.

09/29/2025

We’re proud to share that for the fifth year in a row EFR has been named one of the Des Moines Register’s Iowa Top Workplaces in the small business category. And especially proud that this year we cracked the top 12!

What makes this recognition so special is that it comes directly from the voices of our employees. We believe that by having a caring, supportive work environment, we are better able to care for others in the workplaces, schools, and communities we serve.

Thank you to our incredible team for making EFR a great place to work!

09/24/2025

DSM Magazine's September/October edition put the spotlight on women leaders in Des Moines. We have many great women leaders here at EFR and Tammy Felts Hoyman, CEO offers her thoughts on the benefits of women in leadership positions and how EFR's core values are our guiding principles.

dsm Sep/Oct 2025

09/24/2025

🏴‍☠️☠️ Ahoy, mateys!
At EFR we know that well-being is serious business, but we also like to have a little fun along the way. Last Friday, our EAP Operations Director got into the spirit of Talk Like a Pirate Day and reminded us all that even when “Life happens. We’re here to help.” ⚓

09/19/2025

🏴‍☠️ Today is Talk Like a Pirate Day, and our EFR crew couldn’t resist having a little fun!

While we may enjoy a laugh (and a few “Arrrs”), we take our work seriously—EFR’s Employee Assistance Program provides confidential, reliable support for employees and their families when they need it most. From mental health services to legal and financial services to life coaching...our suite of benefits will have your employees sailing into smoother waters. ⚓

09/12/2025

We love our pet friends at EFR. Thank you Sydney Seuferer for sharing Storm (aka the Floofer) with us! He’s a 7 year old Siberian Husky. He has bi-colored eyes that he uses to throw a mean side eye and he’s a huge drama king!

09/11/2025

Feeling overwhelmed by constant news and social media updates? You’re not alone. Too much screen time and information overload can impact your mental health, leading to stress and burnout.

Here are a few ways to protect your well-being:
• Set boundaries: Limit how often you check the news or scroll social feeds.
• Curate your feed: Follow accounts that uplift and inform—mute or unfollow those that drain your energy.
• Take breaks: Step away from screens, go for a walk, or connect with someone face-to-face.

Remember, staying informed doesn’t mean sacrificing your peace of mind. Small steps can make a big difference in how you feel each day.

09/08/2025

It could not have been any better weather for our Summer Celebration at Confluence Brewing Company. Delicious food, fun games, a few prizes, and great company!