CEO Finds Innovative Ways to Provide Services to Adults with Autism
Princeton, NJ, December 11, 2010 --(PR.com)-- Thomas P. McCool Ed.D, President & CEO of Eden Autism Services has been named Innovator of the Year by the Princeton Regional Chamber of Commerce.
“It is a thrill and an honor to be selected as Innovator of the Year,” says McCool. I have been with Eden since 2005 and during that time, Eden has experienced a tremendous amount of growth.”
McCool attributes that growth to the development of a solid strategic plan which incorporates three core themes: Quality, Sustainability and Systems.
McCool’s innovative thinking helped lead the 35-year old organization through many changes in order to meet the goals set forth in Eden’s Strategic Plan. One major area of concern for McCool is the lack of adequate funding for services for adults with autism. The shortfall between what the state provides and what it actually costs Eden to provide quality residential and employment services for adults with autism was more than $700,000 last fiscal year. McCool recognized that Eden’s reliance on public funding was a threat to the organization’s sustainability. He determined that the Eden Foundation and Eden Outreach were two revenue sources within Eden that could be expanded.
“The realization that fund raising, by the Eden Foundation and the sale of services and intellectual properties by Eden Outreach, had the potential to generate the revenue needed to cover the shortfall in public funding compelled us to invest in these two areas in order to capture expanded revenue and decrease reliance on already stretched government funding programs,” said McCool.
Within the past five years, Eden Outreach has dramatically expanded both its scope of services and the geographic areas being served. Training is being offered through online courses and webinars. The Eden Curriculum has been upgraded and reformatted to be available through electronic download in such formats as iPad, Nook and Kindle. In addition, two years ago, the Eden Foundation embarked on an ambitious capital campaign to support construction of a new, model school facility and to establish an endowment for adult services. Despite the difficult economy, Eden is currently slightly past the half-way point on this endeavor.
Sponsored by NRG Energy, the Princeton Chamber presents the Innovator of the Year award to a chamber member who has made a significant contribution to his/her organization by implementing innovative programs and managing positive organizational change. Dr. McCool was recently presented with his award at the annual Princeton Regional Chamber Business Leadership Awards Gala.
Eden Autism Services is a national center of excellence. Founded in 1975, Eden provides treatment for children and adults with autism through early intervention, education, employment training and residential services. Eden’s support and training programs for families and professionals are available on-site or via virtual technology. Headquartered in Princeton, NJ, Eden's services extend throughout the United States with a satellite operation in Southwest Florida. For more information about Eden visit www.edenautismservices.org or call (609) 987-0099. You can follow Eden on Facebook and Twitter.
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“It is a thrill and an honor to be selected as Innovator of the Year,” says McCool. I have been with Eden since 2005 and during that time, Eden has experienced a tremendous amount of growth.”
McCool attributes that growth to the development of a solid strategic plan which incorporates three core themes: Quality, Sustainability and Systems.
McCool’s innovative thinking helped lead the 35-year old organization through many changes in order to meet the goals set forth in Eden’s Strategic Plan. One major area of concern for McCool is the lack of adequate funding for services for adults with autism. The shortfall between what the state provides and what it actually costs Eden to provide quality residential and employment services for adults with autism was more than $700,000 last fiscal year. McCool recognized that Eden’s reliance on public funding was a threat to the organization’s sustainability. He determined that the Eden Foundation and Eden Outreach were two revenue sources within Eden that could be expanded.
“The realization that fund raising, by the Eden Foundation and the sale of services and intellectual properties by Eden Outreach, had the potential to generate the revenue needed to cover the shortfall in public funding compelled us to invest in these two areas in order to capture expanded revenue and decrease reliance on already stretched government funding programs,” said McCool.
Within the past five years, Eden Outreach has dramatically expanded both its scope of services and the geographic areas being served. Training is being offered through online courses and webinars. The Eden Curriculum has been upgraded and reformatted to be available through electronic download in such formats as iPad, Nook and Kindle. In addition, two years ago, the Eden Foundation embarked on an ambitious capital campaign to support construction of a new, model school facility and to establish an endowment for adult services. Despite the difficult economy, Eden is currently slightly past the half-way point on this endeavor.
Sponsored by NRG Energy, the Princeton Chamber presents the Innovator of the Year award to a chamber member who has made a significant contribution to his/her organization by implementing innovative programs and managing positive organizational change. Dr. McCool was recently presented with his award at the annual Princeton Regional Chamber Business Leadership Awards Gala.
Eden Autism Services is a national center of excellence. Founded in 1975, Eden provides treatment for children and adults with autism through early intervention, education, employment training and residential services. Eden’s support and training programs for families and professionals are available on-site or via virtual technology. Headquartered in Princeton, NJ, Eden's services extend throughout the United States with a satellite operation in Southwest Florida. For more information about Eden visit www.edenautismservices.org or call (609) 987-0099. You can follow Eden on Facebook and Twitter.
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Contact
Eden Autism Services
Aileen Kornblatt
609-426-8656
www.edenautismservices.org
Aileen Kornblatt
609-426-8656
www.edenautismservices.org
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