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Woods Team Members Shine at Social Innovations Awards

March 4, 2021

In an evening for community innovators to shine, staff at Woods Services, and Woods affiliate Tabor Services, were among those whose work was in the spotlight at the 2021 Greater Philadelphia Innovation Awards hosted by The Social Innovations Journal. The Jan. 21 event, presented virtually this year due to COVID-19, honored social innovators, entrepreneurs and changemakers whose leadership, social impact and efforts in their communities make Greater Philadelphia a thriving region of innovation and opportunity for all people. The awards are presented annually by the nonprofit online magazine and voted on by the public.

 

We know how valuable our Woods team members are, and it was exciting to see their work for our residents and clients recognized publicly through the magazine and in front of the nearly 150 community leaders brought together via Zoom for the ceremony. The Woods stars honored on awards night are Karen Wilkins from Tabor Services, Dawn Diamond and the COVID Task Force members, and Kym Talerico and Avi Saltzman of Yellow Daffodil Flower and Gift Shop. Among the innovations they were nominated for are: tranquility rooms for employee well-being and retention, outdoor learning spaces created to maintain resident quality of life during pandemic lockdowns, and a program that provides work experience, develops confidence and independence, and even launched a jewelry line.

 

Read more to learn about these exciting, innovative, and award-winning programs underway at Woods and Tabor Services.

 

Innovations Improve Quality of Life during the Pandemic

We have all spent much time talking about and managing the coronavirus pandemic this past year. The “COVID-19 Innovations” category was an opportunity for organizations to share information about effective innovations in dealing with the outbreak. Woods and its COVID-19 Task Force members, led by Dawn Diamond, Darlene Barnes, Dr. Stephen Kolesk and Tine Hansen-Turton, deployed innovative strategies throughout the pandemic to prevent the spread of the virus to our residents and employees, including early adoption of masking, testing and other infection control measures, and converting some services to a virtual platform. Building outdoor classrooms, and creating a nature trail and an animal-assisted therapy program were innovative ideas for providing learning and exercise, and maintaining quality of life and engagement during a period of mandated isolation. Woods was honored with the category’s third place award.

 

Tranquility Rooms Transform Work Environment at Tabor

Karen Wilkins, chief human resources officer at Tabor Services, a member of the Woods Affiliate network, received third place honors in the “Healthy Food Access and Healthy Workforce Innovator Award” category for her efforts to ensure a supportive and nurturing work environment for employees. Focused on addressing workforce turnover that can result from a stressful and emotionally demanding job, such as with child welfare social work, Karen led a team of staff, maintenance workers and construction experts to transform the work environment by adding three Tranquility Rooms. The modified space features soothing sounds, accommodations for free in-person and virtual yoga classes, and massage chairs.  In addition, a trauma-certified psychotherapist with child welfare experience is available for free private and confidential counseling for all employees in need. Karen understood the importance of a supportive organizational culture and how it would help families served by Tabor. Her efforts also contributed to Tabor Services achieving a 98 percent staff retention rate in fiscal year 2020.

 

Yellow Daffodil Experience Builds Confidence and Independence

Yellow Daffodil Flower and Gift Shop’s manager, Kym Talarico, and employee Avi Saltzman were recognized in the Workforce Development Award – Innovation in the Social Mobility Category. The nomination showcased Woods’ commitment to creating the broadest possible work opportunities that enable individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to contribute to the world around them in powerful ways. Product development, merchandising, sales and inventory are among the transferable skills taught at Yellow Daffodil. The work experience helps participants develop their self-confidence and gain independence. The runner-up award celebrated the environment of discovery Kym creates at Yellow Daffodil, encouraging employees to try new tasks that often ignite their passions, and the way Avi, who created a successful jewelry product line for the shop called Aviology, has inspired and supported others to follow his lead.

 

Congratulations to Karen, Dawn and the COVID Task Force, Kym, and Avi. We are so proud of your accomplishments! Thanks for making Woods shine so brightly.

WOODS SUPERINTENDENT, STAFF, FELLOW WIN AT 2020 GREATER PHILADELPHIA SOCIAL INNOVATIONS AWARDS

February 3, 2020

Dr. Maura Roberts, superintendent at of the Woods Schools in Langhorne, Pa., received the 2020 Greater Philadelphia Social Innovations Award in the Social Justice category from Social Innovations Journal, Institute & Lab, for her innovative approach to educational programs for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

 

ABOUT THE SOCIAL INNOVATIONS AWARDS

 

Dr. Roberts accepted her award at a ceremony on Thursday evening, January 23, held at the Independence Blue Cross Center for Innovation in Philadelphia.

 

The annual awards, presented by the nonprofit online magazine and voted on by the public, honor social innovators, entrepreneurs and changemakers in the Philadelphia region whose work, social impact and efforts in their communities make Greater Philadelphia a thriving region of innovation and opportunity for all people.

 

Dr. Roberts was one of 11 Woods employees and partners nominated for the awards.

 

Goals of the annual awards are to promote a culture of bold thinking and problem solving, increase awareness and build a culture for social enterprise and entrepreneurship, and increase social impact investments by social sector funders and investors.

 

“We are extremely proud of our Woods employees who were recognized by Social Innovations Journal with award nominations for the positive impact they are making for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities served by Woods,” said Tine Hansen-Turton, president and CEO at Woods.  “Their innovative approaches have been essential to Woods’ transformation as a population health organization and are deserving of recognition and emulation,” she said.

 

HOW THE SUPERINTENDENT OF THE WOODS SCHOOLS WON

 

Dr. Roberts received her first-place award in the Social Justice category based on the innovative work she is doing in education.  As a result of their intellectual and developmental disabilities and medical complications, the students Dr. Roberts serves can exhibit severe behaviors which impede their learning and compromise their safety.  Dr. Roberts identified and launched the School-Wide Positive Behavior Supports approach because of its emphasis on whole-school culture change.

 

Through this evidence-based approach, teachers and students learn skills to support positive behavior.

 

After two years of implementation, the approach has resulted in fewer negative behaviors among all students, and increased academic achievement, including enormous gains in math and literacy.

 

“Dr. Roberts’ belief that we should teach positive behavior just like any other subject and her leadership and dedication to ensuring all students can achieve their goals led to the implementation of this innovative approach,” Hansen-Turton added.

 

WOODS RECOGNIZES OUR OTHER SOCIAL INNOVATIONS AWARD WINNERS

 

Brian Valdez, a fellow at Woods and creator of PLACE (People for Liberty, Access, Choice and Equality), received a second-place award in the Social Justice category for his advocacy work on behalf of individuals with intellectual disabilities.

 

Valdez unifies groups within the disability advocacy community around the common goal of preserving real choice when it comes to where individuals with intellectual disabilities are able to live and work.  Maurice Johnson runs Woods Wear, a social enterprise print shop at Woods created by Danica Lynn to provide jobs for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.  Johnson and Lynn shared the second-place award in the Small Business Development category.

 

The following Woods employees and partners were recognized with nominations and awards:

 

SOCIAL MOBILITY: Race Equity and Social Justice
  • Valerie Durden, Woods Enhanced Benefits Specialist, Woods Services
  • Dr. Maura Roberts, Superintendent, Woods Services
  • Brian Valdez, PLACE (People for Liberty, Access, Choice and Equality)
SOCIAL MOBILITY:  Small Business Development
  • Maurice Johnson, Operator, and Danica Lynn, Creator, Woods Wear, Woods Services
HUMAN SERVICES: Housing and Community Development
  • Dawn Diamond, Senior Vice President and Ben Pozez, Trustee, Woods Services
HEALTH: Healthy Communities
  • Dr. Steve Kolesk, Chief Medical Officer and Dawn Diamond, Senior Vice President
HEALTH: Healthy Workforce
  • Homestead Smart Health Plans and Woods Services partnership – Bill Green of Homestead Smart Health Plans, and Tom Grant and Julia Pfisiter of Woods Services
  • Dr. Scott Spreat, Vice President of Evaluation and Research, Woods Services

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Health, Wellness & Therapeutics

In an effort to improve communication, daily living skills and educational outcomes for both … Read More >

Vocational & Adult Day Services

We are committed to eliminating barriers and creating possibilities for achievement.   We … Read More >

Learning

Our school programs help students meet educational, emotional, behavioral and medical needs, while … Read More >

Having Fun

We exist to drive greater achievement for the individuals we serve.  Whether living  on our campus, … Read More >

Continuum of Care

We offer our individuals a full continuum of supports through our affiliates and various programs … Read More >

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