Press Releases

Charting the Course for Woods Future

May 8th, 2010

At its August 2009 meeting, Woods’ Board of Trustees approved a Long Range Plan that will guide the organization over the next three years. This plan is an opportunity to reflect on the past and embrace the future.

Nine months ago, the leadership team at Woods began the strategic planning process, reflecting on the broadest view of Woods’ mission, its current situation, and its future challenges. The team has worked to identify forward-looking strategies that will enable Woods to maintain its status as a premier nonprofit organization that provides quality care to people with special needs.

I would like to take this opportunity to share with you some of our accomplishments over the last three years, as well as some of our goals for 2009 – 2012.

Three Years of Progress . . . 2006 – 2009

We improved the quality of Woods’ programs by enhancing supervisory training, reducing the use of restraints, and enhancing staff training at all levels. Improvements were also made to case management services and recreational programs.

We experienced diversification and modest growth in several of Woods’ programs and expanded some existing programs. For example, Brian’s House is now serving more school-age children and Crestwood has broadened its admission criteria to include children and adolescents with intellectual disability.
We made a great deal of progress in the area of fiscal and capital planning. While many aspects of fiscal and business practices were addressed, the cornerstone was the financing of the new Medical, Dental and Employee Training Center. The expansion of development activities and outreach resulted in raising $9.2 million for The Campaign for Woods’ Second Century, which not only helped support the construction, it helped bolster endowment resources.

Three Years of Challenge . . . 2009 - 2012

We will continue to improve the quality of services provided by increasing therapeutic supports in the residences and enhancing programs for children with autism.
We will continue to focus on diversification and growth by expanding existing programs where feasible. This will include the opening of Pinewood, which is currently under renovation. Once it is completed, the residence will increase our capacity to serve children with autism.
We will continue our focus on building our reserves and endowment resources as well as refine our information and data management systems. We will also build on the success of The Campaign for Woods’ Second Century, which will conclude with Woods’ Centennial Celebration in 2012 – 2013.

These are only a few highlights. The Long Range Plan sets forth a vision for Woods’ future – a vision that honors that of our founder, Mollie Woods. As Mollie said when she gave The Woods Schools to a Board of Trustees in 1948 – “We shall continue to pioneer.”

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