About Macomb Family Services

In 1957, a group of community leaders shared a common concern for the lack of services available to Macomb County residents north of 14 Mile Road. They founded Macomb Family Services to fill this need, with much of the initial funding coming from United Way. For over 60 years since our founding, we’ve dedicated ourselves to providing the best care and support to members of the local community.

Values

Macomb Family Services’ mission is to enhance the health and well being of others, and promote social and personal change.

Fundamentally, we see each person we serve as a unique individual. Because everyone’s nature, experiences, strengths, and challenges vary so greatly, we take a highly personalized approach to the services we provide.

We care about our clients, and we want to use methods that work and yield results for them. Therefore, every technique we use, program we develop, and standard we adhere to is evidence-based, meaning it’s backed up by the latest scientific research.

We believe that everyone has the power to change their life situation. Our goal is to help you get there by providing hope, support, and the very best services we can.

How we achieve our goals

We achieve our goals by taking the following actions:

  • Operating as one family and one community
  • Dedicating ourselves to providing personalized, quality service
  • Promoting diversity
  • Striving to exceed expectations set before us

Leadership

Owen Pfaendtner, President and CEO

Owen joined Macomb Family Services in 1986. Due in large part to his leadership, our agency stands out for innovation and excellence in the services we provide, as well as the positive results we see in our clients. His duties include improving our programs, the practices and policies of our board, and the agency as a whole. He also manages and develops funds and budgets. Owen is a part of all of our committees and reports to the Board of Directors.

Previous Work

Before becoming president and CEO, Owen served in a number of positions here at MFS. He began his work as a full-time psychotherapist treating individuals and families dealing with issues of substance and sexual abuse. In 1992, Owen became the director of the Child Sexual Abuse Program. Later, he served as our Vice President and Clinical Director. During this time, he supervised 56 therapists and managed various programs.

Owen is a Licensed Social Worker and a member of the National Association of Social Workers. 

Other Initiatives

In addition to his work at Macomb Family Services, Owen helped found the Family Service Alliance for Southeastern Michigan, a collaboration of three family service agencies. The organization works to improve the services available to children and families in the tri-county community. He is involved in other regional partnerships as well, including the Southeast Michigan Senior Regional Collaborative and the Macomb County Provider Alliance.

Education

In 1985, Owen earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Oakland University in Rochester Hills. Then in 1988, he completed his Masters of Social Work at Wayne State University in Detroit.

Carol Vardon, Chief of Staff

Carol has been with Macomb Family Services since . A dedicated part of the MFS team, she has been integral to our success. She shines as a leader all around. Carol began her career as a member of our support staff, and worked in many capacities before becoming the Chief of Staff. Her responsibilities include Human Resources, general oversight of all programs, and budgets.

Community Involvement

Carol is highly committed to supporting community projects. Outside of MFS, she is active in many other organizations that serve the community. She has been a volunteer for Hope Not Handcuffs since .

Carol also takes an active roll in supporting her kids’ activities. She helps with PTC and recycling club at their schools, and and Vacation Bible School at her church.

Contact Info

Carol Vardon
124 West Gates
Romeo, MI  48065

[email protected]

Direct: (586) 649-3913
Office: (586) 336-0422
Fax: (586) 336-0409

Steffanie Boudreau-Thomas LPC, CAADC, Director of Clinical Services

Steffanie joined us in 2015, when she became the Supervisor of our Clinton Township office. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Certified Advanced Addictions Drug Counselor.

Steffanie’s primary focus is behavioral health. She supports many programs in this field, including:

As part of her work at MFS, she guides clients through substance abuse assessments and Driver’s License Restoration Evaluations for the Secretary of State.

Education

In 1996, Steffanie earned her Bachelor of Arts from Western Michigan University, with a double major in Criminal Justice and Political Science. Then in 2003, she completed her Master of Arts in Community Counseling at WMU, with a concentration in Marriage and Family Therapy.

Joseph Thayer, Director of Community Programs

With Joe as our Director of Community Programs, Macomb Family Services has provided substance abuse prevention programs in nine school districts, worked with two coalitions, and assisted many organizations throughout Northern Macomb County. In his current role, he creates strategies, builds coalitions, and develops programs and budgets. Joe supervises three staff members as well as several contractual employees.

Previous Work

Since 2010 when Joe first joined us, his focus has always been Prevention. He began as a full-time prevention specialist, assisting in many of the same programs he now manages. He was named Director of Community Programs in 2015.

Credentials & Education

Joe is a Certified Prevention Specialist by the State of Michigan, and is trained in the following programs:

  • Strengthening Families
  • Project Alert
  • Life Skills
  • Too Good For Drugs
  • Too Good For Violence
  • All Stars
  • Positive Action
  • Protecting You Protecting Me
  • Project Toward No Drug Use
  • Teen Intervene
  • Tobacco Education Group
  • Prevention Prepared Communities
  • Nurturing Parenting Program
  • Substance Abuse Prevention Skills Training
  • iFrog
  • Not on Tobacco
  • Community Anti-Drugs Coalition of America Core Competency

He has also completed several classes at The Center of Philanthropy at Indiana University Fundraising School.

In 1995, Joe earned his Associates of Arts degree in from Muskegon Community College. He graduated with a Bachelors of Science from Grand Valley State University in 1997. Then in 1999, he completed his Masters of Health Promotion and Program Management at Central Michigan University.

Amy Noble, Director

Amy has dedicated her career to serving those less fortunate in and around Macomb County. Beginning 26 years ago as an MFS direct care staff member, Amy provided higher-level care and best living standards to residents. She had a true ability to connect with those she served.

During the many years Amy has worked at our agency, she has taken numerous managerial roles. She currently serves as Director at our corporate office, where she is responsible for overseeing all of our residential programs.

Carrie Kuptz, Business Systems Manager

Carrie supervises the Front Office Support Staff at each of our four locations and oversees the daily operations of our Centralized Billing Department. She also maintains contracting and credentialing for the agency and is the System Administrator for our EMR patient system.

Previous Work

Carrie began her work with us in 1997 as a part-time member of our Support Staff. She has held various positions in her 20 years at Macomb Family Services.