Q&A with Tine Hansen-Turton

This conversation has been edited and condensed for length and clarity. 

In July, you launched Woods System of Care after serving as president and CEO of Woods Services since 2016. What led to that move? 

Individuals with intellectual disabilities, autism, and/or mental health challenges who also have complex medical and genetic conditions face significant barriers to accessing care. Primary care, behavioral healthcare, and supportive services that address the social determinants of health are still out of reach for many, and the existing systems are fragmented and difficult to navigate.  

We developed Woods System of Care to build a lifelong continuum of care to meet those needs. By partnering with a growing number of affiliates, WSOC provides an expansive—and seamless—array of services, including medical, dental and behavioral care, wellness, education, housing, workforce development, and a wide range of social services for more than 50,000 individuals in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.  

By integrating these services and embracing a no-wrong-door approach, we’re eliminating silos and breaking down the barriers to comprehensive care. Our integrated care model bridges health systems, communities, and the public health sector to improve access and outcomes while lowering costs.   

What can we expect to see from WSOC over the next year?  

WSOC, headquartered in Bucks County, Pa., comprises more than 20 affiliated companies and joint ventures and is on a trajectory of strong growth driven by the expanded need for its services. We are always looking for mission-aligned partners to help us serve more people.  

While our services are focused in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, we are working to share evidence-based best practices nationally and internationally through the Mollie Woods Hare Global Center of Excellence in Neuro-divergence (Intellectual Disability and Autism) & Mental Health. Through this partnership with the World Health Organization and The Network: Towards Unity for Health, we are developing a clearinghouse for clinical practice standards and guidelines for complex populations; researching and disseminating best practices, including Woods’ integrated care model; training current and next-generation healthcare providers and systems; and supporting policy efforts in the U.S. and globally to improve health equity, reduce health disparities, and increase access to health care for people with disabilities and neurodivergent populations. 

A significant part of that effort is gathering data that can inform both decision-making and policy. By fostering mission-driven partnerships, strategically expanding programs, concentrating services within key regions, and harnessing shared data and administrative systems, WSOC is building a more unified, effective support system for people with complex needs.  

You have a long history of being actively involved with policy, first with nurses and nurse practitioners, and now with the IDD and behavioral health communities. What are you working on now?  

WSOC is actively working on various issues at the state and federal levels to advocate for better services, funding, workforce solutions, access to attainable housing, and other issues affecting vulnerable populations and those caring for them.  

We serve some of the country's most complex people, and it’s not possible to apply a one-size-fits-all approach to disability services. Much of our policy work involves educating policymakers on the needs and challenges of our complex and diverse population and explaining how funding evidence-based, data-driven initiatives can create systemic improvements that improve health and save money in the long term. While WSOC’s efforts address many immediate needs, systemic change is needed for those interventions to be comprehensive and sustainable.