“All of these funding sources are critical to our ongoing viability”
CONTACT: Barbara Fornasiero, EAFocus Communications; barbara@eafocus.com; Lenora Hardy-Foster, Judson Center CEO; Lenora_Hardy-Foster@judsoncenter.org; cell – 313.686.1587
Farmington Hills, Mich. — March 21, 2020— Judson Center, trusted by Michigan families since 1924, is a non-profit human service agency that provides 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 foster care and adoption services, and integrated primary healthcare for all through Judson Center Family Health in Warren. Judson Center serves over 12,000 children, adults, and families each year. Judson Center has offices in Genesee, Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw and Wayne counties. Judson Center CEO and President Lenora Hardy-Foster is a career-long, non-profit leader.
She identifies Judson Center’s key funding sources:
- State of Michigan funding
- Commercial insurance reimbursement
- Medicaid
- Philanthropy/fundraising
“All of these funding sources are critical to our ongoing viability,” Hardy-Foster said. “We are trying to be as creative as possible to continue offering reimbursable services.”
On March 17, the impact of COVID-19 temporarily shut down three Judson Center in-person program areas:
- Autism services (Judson Center is a leader in this area, offering autism services since 2005.) In 2019, Judson Center served around 300 individuals, with a variety of support services also offered to families
- Vocational services for individuals with disabilities (including about 25% of whom have autism spectrum disorder)
- Respite care for medically fragile children and young adults
COVID-19 spawned Judson Center Family Health’s immediate need for telehealth, which became operational on Friday, March 20, and will allow for a new opportunity for insurance reimbursement from the government and commercial carriers while increasing capacity to safely serve more patients.
With autism, Judson Center has begun virtual parent training by their Board-Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBA), who are working with parents to help provide their children therapies at home. Hardy-Foster said the insurance companies have been flexible in reimbursement.
“The insurance companies thus far understand Judson Center’s calling to the autism community and we are so appreciative of their willingness to be open to reimbursement for remote services in this area.”
With its foster care program, another key Judson Center area, staff members are supporting parents through Zoom conferencing, other virtual platforms, and telephonically.
About Judson Center:
Judson Center is 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. Learn more at https://www.judsoncenter.org/.
Judson Center has approximately 450 employees, including contract and part-time workers.
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