NNews-Aug-2025

August 2025 15 Acenda’s Innovative Staff Development Programs Strengthen the Team and Services G lassboro-based Acenda Integrated Health is an organization that offers more than 100 types of prevention, treatment and wellness services to children, adults, families, caregivers, and the community provided by their team of expert clinicians. Helping lead themission is Bridget DeFiccio, LPC, who is Acenda’s Senior Vice President of IntegratedHealth. DeFiccio oversees outpatient mental health and outpatient and recovery services across the state, including inmultiple school districts and for home, as well. According to DeFiccio, one of the ways that Acenda is able to provide the best services to their clients is through workplace development, whichmeans that the staff at Acenda aremotivated to give the best help they can offer. One of the ways this is accomplished is through two specialized training approaches, Promising Leadership and Acenda Advance Leadership. Bridget DeFiccio, LPC Senior Vice President of Integrated Health “Promising Leadership takes a deep dive into the Dare to Lead book by Brené Brown,” DeFiccio said. “The Acenda series focuses on the core concepts of cultivating brave leadership by embracing vulnerability, building trust, and leading with courage, empathy, and values.” Acenda Advance Leadership takes employees through various team building exercises to create a strong foundation for leadership. “Acenda Advance Leadership training empowers emerging and current leaders with the tools, mindset, and confidence to lead with purpose, authenticity, and resilience—building a foundation for strong, effective leadership across the organization,” DeFiccio said. “We want to make sure that our staff are given the tools that they need,” DeFiccio reinforced. The other way that Acenda fosters positive workplace development is through a Shark Tank-like competition called the Acenda Innovation Challenge. “Acenda’s Innovation Challenge has become a powerful catalyst for employee engagement, boosting morale and staff retention by empowering teammembers to bring their ideas to life. By fostering a culture of creativity and collaboration, the challenge not only strengthens our workforce, but also drives innovative solutions that enhance the quality and impact of the services we deliver to our communities,” DeFiccio said. According to DeFiccio, the different teams deliver 20-minute presentations on particular issues, including budgets. “It’s a cool way for our teams to think outside of the box andwork with other teams,” DeFiccio said.