Redefining Therapy in the South Peninsula
Located in the heart of Homer on Pioneer Avenue, Changing Tides Therapy Services provides speech therapy to individuals of all ages, looking to create a brighter future. Established in April 2022
by Jill and Justin Zank, Changing Tides is changing the lives of peninsula residents with exceptional staff and a welcoming environment.
Already a proven speech-language pathologist, Jill came to the Alaska SBDC inquiring about capital to remodel, furnish, and pay rent on a large open space. Reflecting on her experience with the Alaska SBDC, Jill shared, “Our business advisor, Robert Green, has been there with our clinic from the very beginning. From helping us come up with creative ideas in order to begin providing services, to navigating business licensing and state compliance measures. Now that we are up and running, we continue to reach 
out to our business advisor for ongoing collaboration needs.”
Changing Tides is impacting the lives of patients not only in Homer, but also the surrounding communities as well, from Anchor Point to Razdolna. Some patients even make the long trip across Kachemak Bay from Seldovia to receive services from Jill and her staff. Because of the incredible need for services, the team is planning to add Amy Sundheim, board-certified behavior analyst.
Changing Tides encourages family members to participate in sessions, making it unique. Jill and her staff have identified that families and caregivers are the agents of change in the patient’s success, and so at Changing Tides, they are provided with more structured opportunities to implement strategies into the patient’s daily life. This structure shortens the timeline on which positive outcomes are achieved.
The future is even brighter for patients, with expansion considerations based on the needs of the communities that Changing Tides serves. Areas of need are occupational therapy, applied behavior
analysis services, and dyslexia services. With the advancements of technology, tele-health may be applied in the future to reach areas outside the immediate boundaries of Homer, to include communities off the road system.
Jill Zank holds a Master of Science degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from East Carolina University and maintains her Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) with the American Speech Hearing Association (ASHA). Changing Tides Therapy Services accepts Medicaid and is currently in the process of becoming credentialed with other major insurance providers. If you or anyone you know desires or needs the services of Changing Tides Therapy Services, learn more on their website at www.changingtideshomer.com or contact the office at (907) 435-1071.
