Steve Shaff
Intervention Coordinator
Growing up in the Chicago suburbs, an early infatuation with math and science made me aspire to a career in engineering or medicine. However, September 11th changed all that. Shortly after the attacks of that day, I was in Washington, D.C. to attend a youth leadership forum and, having witnessed those events and seen their profound impact on everyone, one thing became very clear to me: I wanted to help people.
I earned an academic scholarship to The Ohio State University and received a BA in Criminology in 2007. Soon after graduating, I began a career in law enforcement, wanting to improve the lives of citizens. I realized that my day-to-day interactions were doing anything but, a realization that led me to pursue other career paths.
Over the next several years, I struggled with many losses, not the least of which was a loss of purpose. After moving to Arizona, a chance encounter with the owners of a substance abuse and mental health facility gave me what I had been looking for: an opportunity to help others. I started working in the world of recovery and treatment and almost immediately heard the phrase that I had been seeking for so many years: “Thank you so much for your help; you may have changed my life.” My passion for changing lives for the better brought me to Family First Intervention where I find true purpose in helping families achieve the ultimate goals of a loved one’s sobriety and a family’s healing. I’ve gained valuable experience professionally and personally, working in a treatment facility helping patients and now with Family First Intervention, helping families. I wholeheartedly believe I have a unique ability to understand the perspective of all parties who face the struggles of mental health and addiction.
Aside from helping others, I spend my time in the gym and in the desert and am a huge sports fan. My most passionate sports fandom lives with the world-famous Ohio State Buckeyes.