Sweeney Receives Hope Award from Woods Services and Legacy Treatment Services 

West Deptford – Senate President Steve Sweeney received the Hope Award yesterday from Woods Services and Legacy Treatment Services in acknowledgment of his work to expand programs for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and mental health challenges through a new pilot program.

“It is an honor to receive this award as we celebrate how this much-needed funding will help many South Jersey residents through two new programs,” said Senator Sweeney. “About 25 percent of New Jersey adults have some type of disability and 16 percent of the state’s adult population suffer from mental health issues. Unfortunately, many people do not receive the crucial care, support and assistance they need for day-to-day life. Securing this funding for Salem Medical Center was just the beginning. Going forward, we must do more to assist those living with disabilities and mental health challenges.”

The award recognizes Senator Sweeney’s work during this past budget season to secure $4.9 million in funding for a pilot program that will expand services for those living with I/DD and mental illness. This funding will allow Salem Medical Center to partner with Woods Services and its New Jersey Affiliates, Allies Inc. and Legacy Treatment Services, to develop a two-pronged approach to address the needs of people living with I/DD and mental health disorders.

As part of the pilot program, Salem Medical Center will offer an Inpatient Crisis Stabilization Unit for people with I/DD experiencing a psychiatric crisis. This unit will address the gap in the availability of acute psychiatric care to meet the unique needs of people within this targeted population. Additionally, the funding will also go towards an adapted Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE/LIFE) for people with I/DD and complex health care needs. The PACE/LIFE program targets individuals with complex medical and behavioral needs and creates cost savings by offering them comprehensive care coordinated at a central location.

“Woods Services and its New Jersey families are extremely grateful to Senator Steve Sweeney for giving hope to them and their loved ones due to his tireless advocacy on behalf of people with special needs to ensure they receive the services that best meet their needs and help them live fulfilling lives,” said Tine Hansen-Turton, President and CEO of Woods Services.

“Legacy Treatment Services, a proud affiliate of Woods, serves some of New Jersey’s most behaviorally challenged children and youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities and autism,” said Roy Leitstein, CEO of Legacy Treatment Services. “We are proud to be a New Jersey provider of services to this community and are indebted to Senate President Steve Sweeney for his lifetime of work on behalf of people with IDD.”

Woods Services is a non-profit organization that provides health, education, housing, workforce, behavioral health and case management services to more than 18,000 children and adults in the intellectual and developmental disability, child welfare, behavioral and brain trauma public health sectors.

Legacy Treatment Services, an affiliate of Woods Services, was created as a merger of The Drenk Center, The Children’s Home and Community Treatment Solutions. Each organization works to support children in need of counseling, custodial care or residential services.

Salem Medical Center has dedicated more than 100 years of service to the Salem County area and is committed to continuing its mission of providing quality health care to each and every patient who enters their facility.