Farmington Hills,  Mich. — March 16, 2020— Judson Center, a multi-county human service agency that provides autism programs, behavioral health services, child and family services including foster care and adoption in tandem with its affiliate, Child Safe Michigan, employment services for the disabled, and primary care for all ages, is pleased to announce that CEO and President Lenora Hardy-Foster has been selected for inclusion in the Crain’s Detroit Business Notable Women in Healthcare  2020 list, featuring acclaimed women professionals from throughout Michigan working in hospitals, health systems, health plans, higher education, and social service agencies.  

The women were selected based on their career accomplishments, community involvement and mentorship of others in their field. Hardy-Foster’s profile for the Notable Women in Healthcare, which is included in the March 16 issue of Crain’s Detroit Business, can be viewed here. 

Hardy-Foster received the Notable Women in Healthcare award for her efforts in expanding Judson Center’s autism programming and for leading the opening of Judson Center Family Health in February 2019 at Judson Center’s Warren location. The integrated care model clinic offers primary care and behavioral health services to Judson Center consumers and the community at large and is experienced in treating children with an autism spectrum disorder and childhood trauma.  

Judson Center’s Autism Connections was established in 2005. Under Hardy-Foster’s direction, it has seen targeted growth and strategic purpose, providing a continuum of care to individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). From pre-education skills (communication, play behaviors) to community and daily living skills, and soft skills training for jobs, Judson Center serves hundreds of individuals from 18 months to early adulthood, including individuals in its annual summer autism camp. 25% of the individuals in Judson Center’s vocational training services also have an ASD diagnosis.  

In addition to evidence-based, staff-intensive Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services, Judson Center’s comprehensive approach includes family counseling, parent training, Sibshops, occupational therapy, and speech services, minimizing a family’s need to drive around town to obtain services. In 2018, Judson Center introduced Bridges to Success, a non-residential program on the Royal Oak campus using ABA therapy to help teens with autism develop relationships, independent living and pre-vocational skills as a gateway to successful adulthood. In May 2019, Judson Center opened a new 4,000 square foot Autism Connections program in its Warren location. 

The Notable Women in Healthcare honor comes on the heels of Hardy-Foster being named a Crain’s Detroit Business Healthcare Hero in 2019. She was among eleven honorees recognized for their impact on healthcare in Michigan. Her profile for Health Care Heroes can be viewed here.

Prior to joining Judson Center, Hardy-Foster was Executive Director/CFO at Southwest Solutions, where she was employed for 36 years. She holds an MBA and B.A. in business administration from the University of Detroit Mercy, which awarded her a lifetime achievement award in 2018. She serves on the Board of Directors as Treasurer of the Michigan Federation for Children and Families; 

is chair of the finance committee of the Hannan Center and a board member of JARC; and serves on the advisory boards of the Alliance for Strong Families and Communities, University of Detroit Mercy College of Business Administration and Lawrence Technological University College of Management.

She is a graduate of Leadership Detroit XXIII and was selected to attend the Harvard Business School executive education program for non-profit executives, Strategic Perspectives in Nonprofit Management, in 2018. She is included on the 2020 list of “Who’s Who in Black Detroit.”

About Judson Center

Judson Center, trusted by Michigan families for more than 95 years, is a non-profit human service agency that provides expert, comprehensive services that strengthen children, adults and families impacted by abuse and neglect, autism, developmental, behavioral and physical health challenges so they can achieve whole health, well-being, and maximum potential. Judson Center also offers integrated primary healthcare for all through Judson Center Family Health in Warren. Since opening its doors in 1924, Judson Center has grown to change the lives of over 12,000 children, adults, and families each year. Judson Center has offices in Genesee, Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw and Wayne counties. Headquarters are located at 30301 Northwestern Highway, Suite 100, Farmington Hills, MI 48334-3277.  Learn more at https://www.judsoncenter.org/. 

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