Woods Services was awarded the 2019 Aramark Building Community Organizational Leadership Award, in recognition of our efforts to provide innovative, comprehensive, and integrated health and case management services to children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, autism, and complex behavioral and medical challenges. Woods Services, as the umbrella organization for a network of care, takes a population health management approach to addressing the social determinants of health through a comprehensive continuum and system of care that connects prevention, wellness, education, behavioral health, and social services with coordinated and integrated healthcare delivery. The award is accompanied by a $20,000 grant from Aramark.
The Aramark Building Community Organizational Leadership Award honors exceptional high-impact organizations that are driving a culture of population health and well-being within their community. The award is presented annually by Aramark (NYSE: ARMK), a global leader in food, facilities and uniforms; and the Alliance for Strong Families and Communities, a strategic action network of thousands of committed social services professionals. This year’s award was announced at the Alliance’s annual Senior Leadership Conference in Savannah, Georgia.
ARAMARK AND THE ALLIANCE’S REMARKS ON WOODS’ AWARD
“We are proud to recognize Woods Services with the Aramark Building Community Organizational Leadership Award,” said Karen Cutler, vice president of communications & public affairs at Aramark. “Woods Services is dedicated to bettering the lives of thousands of children and adults of all abilities every day, a commitment we share and commend.”
“The Alliance is proud to partner with Aramark in honoring Woods Services for its innovative approach to systems change, scaling evidence-based approaches, and engaging partners across the ecosystem of government, regional, and local communities, particularly with a focus on special populations requiring complex care,” noted Susan N. Dreyfus, president and CEO of the Alliance. “Their work is leading by example and having an impact across the sector as more organizations recognize the efficacy and impact of a public health approach.”
A HISTORY OF WOODS AND OUR CURRENT POPULATION HEALTH APPROACH
Founded more than 100 years ago, Woods is comprised of six organizations and operates as a continuum of care across two states, Pennsylvania and New Jersey, collectively serving more than 22,000 children, adolescents, and adults and employing a team of 6,000 individuals who provide critical services and significant supports. Over the past three years, Woods has built capacity and evolved our model to address population health comprehensively for both the individuals it serves and our employees. This was accomplished through a variety of initiatives including the transformation of clinical services for children, adoption of a trauma-informed de-escalation and crisis intervention program, implementation of education and career pathways for employees, and the integration of a Patient-Centered Medical Home approach with the opening of the on-site Medical Center at Woods.
In addition, Woods has solidified our continuum of care across our network to become one of the largest group home providers in the eastern region of Pennsylvania serving young adults, which helps to ensure a natural continuation of services for those who graduate from the Woods Schools and residential programs into adult services. Similarly, Woods is building capacity in New Jersey through our family of services to be able to alleviate the pressure on the adult system of care for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, several thousand of whom are on a waiting list for residential care. New specialized homes for people who are medically fragile or have psychiatric disorders or intellectual disabilities are under development. Woods and our leadership have also been driving the conversation on population health for people with intellectual disabilities and complex behavior and medical challenges on a regional and national level, as an approach which will successfully address the disparities in access to care, health outcomes, and cost that this complex population represents.
“Woods and our affiliates, Allies, Inc., Archway Programs, Woods Community at Brian’s House, Legacy Treatment Services, and Tabor Services, are so honored to be recognized by Aramark and the Alliance for Strong Families and Communities for our efforts to transform the delivery of comprehensive, lifelong medical care and behavioral and educational supports for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live their lives safely and to their fullest potential,” said Tine Hansen-Turton, President and CEO of Woods Services. “We see it as our responsibility to be disruptors and to redefine the ways in which services are connected and delivered for our clients while also supporting and advocating for the professional development and economic advancement of our employee population,” she said.
THE GOALS OF ARAMARK AND THE ALLIANCE
For more than a decade, Aramark and the Alliance have partnered to help communities thrive by bringing resources to the local level and cultivating strong relationships. Aramark’s global volunteer and philanthropic program, Aramark Building Community, enriches and nourishes lives by partnering with local community centers and sharing resources to inspire families to lead healthy lifestyles and help people succeed through education and employment. Since its establishment in 2008, Aramark Building Community has impacted more than 5 million families and children in 19 countries.
Aramark’s commitment to people is a core part of the company’s sustainability plan, Be Well. Do Well., focused on positively impacting people and the planet. Aramark’s people priority is to facilitate access to opportunities that will improve the well-being of the Company’s employees, consumers, communities and people in its supply chain. Building on current work, Aramark continues to help people develop careers and livelihoods; access, choose and prepare healthy food; and grow communities, businesses and local economies.
Learn more about Woods Services and our model of care by watching the award video above.
ABOUT ARAMARK
Aramark (NYSE: ARMK) proudly serves the world’s leading educational institutions, Fortune 500 companies, world champion sports teams, prominent healthcare providers, iconic destinations and cultural attractions, and numerous municipalities in 19 countries around the world. Our 280,000 team members deliver innovative experiences and services in food, facilities management and uniforms to millions of people every day. We strive to create a better world by making a positive impact on people and the planet, including commitments to engage our employees; empower healthy consumers; build local communities; source ethically, inclusively and responsibly; operate efficiently and reduce waste. Aramark is recognized as a Best Place to Work by the Human Rights Campaign (LGBTQ+), DiversityInc, Black Enterprise and the Disability Equality Index. Learn more at www.aramark.com or connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.
ABOUT THE ALLIANCE FOR STRONG FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES
The Alliance for Strong Families and Communities is a strategic action network of thousands of committed social sector leaders who through their excellence, distinction, and influence are working to achieve a healthy and equitable society. We aggregate the very best sector knowledge and serve as an incubator for learning and innovation to generate new solutions to the toughest problems. We accelerate change through dynamic leadership development and collective actions to ensure policies and systems provide equal access and opportunity for all people in our nation to reach their fullest potential through improvements in health and well-being, educational success, economic opportunity, and safety and security. Go to alliance1.org for more information.
