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Woods Creates Comprehensive Community Home, Ending a Yearlong Hospitalization

November 16, 2021

 

Nowhere to Go

 

On August 24, 2021, GK arrived at his new home. This is a special home, where he has intensive staff supervision and his day is very structured with activities of his choosing. Staff take him for walks in the neighborhood and nearby parks. They also schedule recreational activities at Woods campus, like swimming, animal therapy, and visits to the playgrounds where he plays basketball.

 

In the six weeks since his arrival, GK’s progress has been extraordinary. Once withdrawn, he used to isolate himself to his own room, but now wants to be outside. He also enjoys playing board games with staff and socializing with residents at Woods. He has even begun to learn how to play the guitar and loves to sing and listen to music – his form of music therapy – and is looking forward to showcasing his musical flair in an upcoming talent show. Most importantly, he is happy.

 

But, life wasn’t always like this for GK – he had found himself trapped in a dark, dead-end. In August 2020, for the second time since graduating from a successful residential program, followed by placement in an adult community-based group home, GK was in crisis and required inpatient hospitalization. Unfortunately, this was not a typical short-term admission – it dragged on for more than a year!

 

Why did GK experience this trauma? At age 21, while living in the group home, his mental condition began to deteriorate, resulting in extremely aggressive behaviors that led to property damage and multiple injuries to staff. Staff at the group home no longer felt they could safely manage GK, so they sent him to the hospital. A return to their care was not an option. Alternative providers did not feel they had the infrastructure and supports to meet his complex needs. Because no other provider was willing to accept him, GK remained in the hospital with no light at the end of the tunnel.

 

Stuck with nowhere else to go, GK stayed in his room – isolated – with little to no opportunity to socialize with anyone other than hospital staff. Because he was placed on a medical floor vs. a psychiatric floor, he had limited access to any activities or areas outside of his room. The staff did their best to engage GK and keep him occupied, but they struggled to provide the structure and routine he needed. This led to frustration and explosive behaviors that resulted in property destruction and aggression that required lengthy wrist and ankle restraints, medication, and a great deal of staffing resources.

 

GK’s predicament came to the attention of Woods’ Admissions team early into his hospitalization. However, due to funding restrictions, Woods residential campus was not a viable option for GK, and Woods was not developing community-based group homes at that time. Several months later, with GK still languishing in the hospital, Woods was again approached about the development of a community-based group home. This was a combined approach between the state, county, and managed behavioral health officials suggesting a coordinated, collaborative effort to design, implement and fund a group home with the specific, person-centered supports needed to serve GK’s needs.

 

Woods stepped up to the challenge by creating a unique provider for adults who require the highest level of care and staffing – Woods Community Services (WCS ). WCS provides specialized community group homes for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and significant behavioral and/or medical complexities who cannot safely receive services in traditional group homes. WCS is an extension of Woods’ continuum of care – a home in the community with access to outpatient mental health care, medical care, and recreational supports.

 

Woods set out to welcome GK as the very first resident of WCS. A home with an open floor plan was found for him, as his outbursts would usually happen in tight areas that put himself and staff at risk. Staff also took time to make it welcoming for GK by incorporating his favorite colors and Spiderman accessories in the decor. They also created a sensory room where GK can engage in calming activities when he is feeling overwhelmed. During the two months leading up to his transition from the hospital, WCS clinician Wadeeha Henderson visited GK frequently. Working closely with the hospital staff, she focused on identifying his emotional triggers and developed measures to prevent his behaviors.

 

So much progress in so little time! Instead of choosing isolation, he now seeks opportunities to engage in activities with other people. And, once prone to explosive behaviors that resulted in lengthy wrist and ankle restraints, he has had no behavioral incidents since his arrival at WCS. GK’s mother, who visits him frequently, has told staff, “I’m so grateful for all the work you’ve done!”

 

Wadeeha, or “Miss Dee” as GK likes to call her, conducts therapy sessions with him multiple times a week and has found that his aggressive behaviors come from feelings he doesn’t understand and can’t articulate. She takes walks with him and gives him positive reinforcement that these feelings are ok – that we all get happy, sad, or angry sometimes. This has been key to GK’s success. He can now identify what he is feeling and is beginning to understand more complex feelings like confusion and frustration. Being able to identify these feelings and acknowledging why he is feeling that way (“I’m sad because I miss my mother” or “I’m angry because I can’t go swimming today”) is helping him to engage in more positive behaviors and social interactions. She is also teaching him life skills and coping strategies that help him deal with his emotions. For example, GK is very competitive, and losing has been a big trigger for him. Wadeeha has taught him that sometimes we win and sometimes we lose, but the point is to have fun. He has put this into practice. When he is playing basketball with someone and loses, instead of having a behavior, he says, “Good game . . . I had fun!”

 

Always looking for creative solutions, Wadeeha has also incorporated one aspect of the Sanctuary Model in GK’s treatment. Sanctuary is a trauma-informed, evidence-supported model based on actively creating and maintaining a nonviolent, democratic, productive community to help people heal from trauma. She works with GK during every therapy session on identifying daily goals and current feelings, and offers supports to help him achieve behavioral success. The activity (answering the same three questions) is written on a whiteboard in his sensory room. Left there during the day, it serves as an encouragement to achieve the behavior goals that he has identified.

 

Wadeeha has also spent a great deal of time training the direct support professionals who work with GK, so they know his triggers and what preventative measures are needed to avoid negative behaviors. And, because of GK’s history of aggressive behaviors that resulted in restraints, Wadeeha plans to reinforce Ukeru training for staff who work with him. The Ukeru Method is a proactive, trauma-informed, restraint-free crisis management system that is nationally recognized as a best practice in restraint reduction. As a part of Woods’ efforts to create a culture of comfort, rather than one of control, for both the individuals it serves and its staff, Woods engaged Grafton Integrated Health Network. In 2017, the network began providing technical assistance and training in Ukeru and it is achieving remarkable results. Since its implementation, Woods has achieved a 53.5% reduction in the use of physical restraints. Using role-play, Wadeeha will give staff practical training on how to use Ukeru to de-escalate the situation if GK has a behavior in the future.

 

Less than one month after coming to WCS, GK has had no negative, aggressive behaviors. He has experienced increased community and social integration, and has learned how to express himself in a more socially acceptable way. His success demonstrates the need for a setting like WCS. Other programs have failed to help GK overcome his behavioral challenges. His six weeks at WCS have proven that this new model can give him the skills, emotional support, and security he needs to succeed in life.

Sadly, there are hundreds of adults in Pennsylvania who, like GK, can’t find an appropriate placement or be served in a traditional group home. They get stuck on waiting lists, and some languish in hospitals, psychiatric wards, or state facilities. Woods is now preparing to welcome them to WCS.

 

GK’s story shows that there is no one-size-fits-all solution to the challenges faced by people with severe behavioral challenges. The right living arrangement and clinical supports can make all the difference. WCS is an extension of Woods’ continuum of care – a home in the community, access to outpatient mental health care, medical care, and recreational supports. People with intellectual/developmental disabilities and complex behavioral and/or medical challenges have the right to receive the services they need in the most appropriate setting. WCS is an example of how Woods is always looking for ways to improve its services and create more choices for individuals that support their health, safety, and well-being.

 

GK is no longer trapped. He is now in a place full of light and life. In keeping with one of his favorite songs, Coldplay’s Viva La Vida, GK said, “I’m living the life today!”

Your unrestricted gift to “Woods’ Greatest Need” gives Woods the flexible resources to develop new nonprofits, like WCS, that are aligned with Woods’ mission to meet the unique needs of individuals like G.K. who have the right to receive the services they need, in the setting that is most appropriate for them. Your gift today will make that possible!

 

 

 

What Makes Woods Community Services Unique?

 

Woods Community Services (WCS) provides specialized community group homes and outpatient mental health services for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and significant behavioral and/or medical complexities who reside in Pennsylvania and cannot be safely served in traditional group homes.

 

The need stems from individuals with I/DD who “age out” of their educational program when they turn 21. Approximately 25% of these individuals cannot secure an appropriate placement due to the intensity of their behavioral issues and/or medical complexities. The lack of community-based settings that can manage such challenges denies many individuals the opportunity to step down to a less restrictive setting and gain other independent living skills.

 

Woods and its affiliate, Legacy Treatment Services, have partnered to develop WCS as a provider of multiple group home settings in the surrounding Bucks County and Philadelphia areas with intensive programming and supports to serve the complex needs of these individuals. The homes will be near Woods campus, so that services and supports offered can be easily accessed, including comprehensive medical care, psychiatric services, vocational opportunities, and recreational activities. Additional services may also include mobile Behavioral Supports (BCBA), Family Therapy, or Allied Therapies.

 

Staff are Bachelor’s level and must have at least one-year of experience in residential and/or behavioral health care with experience working with behaviorally challenged individuals, including implementation of behavioral and therapeutic interventions and de-escalation.
Clinical staff must be licensed and direct support professionals (DSPs) receive more training than a typical DSP.

 

The WCS model implements trauma-informed care for individuals with the most challenging behaviors. WCS is also an extension of Woods’ continuum of care – a home in the community, access to outpatient mental health care, medical care, and recreational supports for individuals as they work toward achieving their goals and happiness.

The AHCA would devastate the most vulnerable: people with intellectual disabilities and complex medical needs

June 7, 2017

*This blog post originally appeared on www.philly.com.

 

By: Tine Hansen-Turton, CEO of Woods, Dr. Scott Spreat, Chief of Research of Woods, Kristen Erway, Director of Government Affairs of Woods

 

The American Health Care Act, which was passed by the House of Representatives on May 4, would have a devastating impact on the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. They are some of our nation’s most vulnerable citizens.

While most discussion around the AHCA has focused on insurance access and pre-existing conditions, little attention is paid to how the bill would make the most significant and dramatic changes to the Medicaid program since its inception. Instead of paying the cost of all needed care, the bill would impose per capita caps on federal funding. A per capita cap means that the federal government would determine an amount paid to each state each year for each person enrolled in Medicaid. The same amount would be paid to the state for each individual enrolled; however, the costs associated with each individual vary greatly as a function of that individual’s needs and the services they require.

 

These caps would create a dangerous and unstable situation for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities who receive supports and services via Medicaid funding. Caps would not increase to reflect rising health care costs or to reflect increases from people aging into needing more long-term supports and services. Per capita caps will reduce amounts and quality of services and increase the size of the service waiting list. States would be forced to find funding to make up for reduced federal support, a concerning prospect in a state currently facing a $1.2 billion deficit where fiscal year General Fund collections are currently $1.2 billion below estimate. And if funding cannot be found, the inevitable cut will occur – and many of the most vulnerable could die.

 

Pennsylvania’s intellectual and developmental disability service system is already suffering chronic underfunding, with approximately one-third of agencies losing money each year. Over the past 20 years, growth in the Pennsylvania budget for these services has lagged about 65% behind the general Pennsylvania budget. The result is high workforce turnover, excessive vacancy rates, and most importantly, a significant waiting list for services. The ACHA would tip the scales and make surviving in this environment impossible for many of those currently serving these individuals.

 

 

  

Woods Makes Mark in Latest Edition of Social Innovations Journal

March 24, 2017

Yesterday, Woods Services was in the spotlight at the Social Innovations Journal (SIJ) launch of issue 32: Social Impact and Innovative Models to Support Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and Their Families Throughout the Lifespan. Keynote speakers included Woods’ own Dr. Scott Spreat who presented a brief history of the field as well as studies concerning the employment of people with disabilities both in workshops and in the community that showed a significant drop in employment of people with I/DD when workshops are closed.

 

 

Woods CEO, Tine Hansen-Turton, who is the co-founder of the Social Innovations Journal, moderated a panel discussion with topics covering aging in place for people with I/DD; technology improvements that facilitate quality of life enhancements for people with I/DD who have physical, cognitive, emotional and communication challenges; different kinds of supportive living arrangements for people with I/DD; and the harmful impact of the American Health Care Act (AHCA) on Medicaid and Medicare that many of our staff and the individuals we serve rely on.

 

Numerous staff from Woods and our affiliates submitted articles for this issue of the SIJ that speak to the innovative programs and supports we offer. Please take the time to read their articles and thank them for the great work that they do! You can read their articles at http://www.socialinnovationsjournal.org/editions/current-edition.

Rally for Work Choice at PA Capitol Building

March 7, 2017

On Monday, March 13, more than 1,000 people with intellectual or developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families, friends and advocates from across the state will rally in the Pennsylvania Capitol Building in Harrisburg in support of the “My Work My Choice” initiative.

 

The Pennsylvania House Human Services Committee, chaired by Representative Gene DiGirolamo (R-Bucks), has also scheduled a hearing for the same day to hear testimony concerning the proposed new regulations by ODP.

 

The rally takes place in the Capitol Building’s East Wing Rotunda at 10:30 a.m. and will be kicked off by Representative Eric Nelson (R-Westmoreland County). Legislators from throughout the Commonwealth will also be speaking as well as several individuals employed in workshops and their family members. The rally will end shortly after 11:00 and will be followed by the House Human Services Committee meeting at 11:15 in room G-50 in the Irvis Office Building.

 

In the Bucks County region, in addition to representative DiGirolamo, Representative Frank Farry (R) and Senator Robert “Tommy” Tomlinson (R) have been instrumental in advocating for changes to the proposals put forward by ODP.

 

Cerebral Palsy – From My Point Of View

April 28, 2016

A Guest Blog by Lauren McGowan

 

Some people might underestimate the true beauty that Cerebral Palsy has to offer. Cerebral Palsy may be the result of a birth injury happening before, during or after the birthing process; a matter of oxygen not arriving at the brain quickly enough until it was too late, causing damage that can never be repaired.

 

Victims will have to compensate and learn basic things that most people master without trying. The extensive learning process will follow them throughout their whole lives resulting in some ongoing frustrations. A person will have to develop a great deal of patience and tolerance to live a normal life style  Cerebral Palsy is a condition in which messages simply are not getting to the brain quickly enough.

 

Cerebral Palsy is a condition, not a disease. A condition that doesn’t worsen over time, only improves with hard work and determination. Determination goes a long way with this condition. For individuals with this condition, physical therapy helps tremendously.

 

Physical therapy involves strengthening muscles and providing room for growth and development. Growth and development is powerful. It will take the individual a long way. Some people will argue that physical therapy is not a long term solution for people who suffer from Cerebral Palsy. Well, if you had a condition that never went away, you would want something that reduces the tension in the muscles.

 

People with Cerebral Palsy will sometimes feel discouraged because the world around them doesn’t fully understand at times, but that feeling can truly inspire them. In the long run, inspiration is all someone really needs. Inspiration will lead a person with this condition to many different places. Places that they never even dreamed of going if the oxygen flowed though the brain on the first day of life. Yes, people that come into the world through unlucky circumstances are in fact very lucky in a hidden way.

 

Lauren McGowan

About the Author

 

Lauren McGowan is a resident at Beechwood Neurorehab. She enjoys writing, Facebook, going to the mall, spending time with her family and friends and living life to the fullest. Lauren recently self-published the book In Kayla’s World, She’s Never Afraid To Afraid To Have Big Dreams, a tribute to her late best friend Kayla Jo Young.

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Health, Wellness & Therapeutics

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Copyright © 2023 Woods | Routes 413 & 213 | P.O. Box 36 | Langhorne, PA 19047-0036 | Ph: 215.750.4000 | E: communications@woods.org

  • .
  • About Woods
    • Our History
    • The Woods System of Care
    • Meet the Woods Services Leadership
    • Meet the Woods Services Board of Trustees
    • The Woods Clinical Approach
    • News & Events
  • Services
    • Short Term Residential Treatment
    • Health, Wellness, & Therapy
    • Vocational & Adult Day
      • Holland Enrichment Center
      • The Woods Enterprises
      • Yellow Daffodil
      • Common Grounds Café
      • Woods Wear
  • Education
    • An Overview of Education
  • Research Institute
  • Work With Woods
    • Employee Testimonials
    • Benefits of Working at Woods
    • Staff Development
    • Teach with Woods
  • Support Woods
    • Make a Gift to Woods
    • Join the Heart of Woods
    • Give through your Donor Advised Fund
    • Give through EITC
    • Leave a Legacy
    • Honor a Friend or Loved One
  • Admissions
    • Tour Woods
    • Email Admissions
    • FAQ
    • Meet the Admissions Team