Risk & Business Magazine JGS Insurance - Fall 2020 | Page 29

EDEN AUTISM
Eden Autism Continues To
Blossom Amidst Adversity
Eden Autism is a nonprofit
organization serving the needs of
those with autism, from toddlers
to seniors. Eden is unique in the
lifespan model that it offers. In
other words, those it serves are provided
with resources throughout the entirety of
their lifetime instead of service being limited
to a segment of their lifetime as is the case
with many other organizations.
The individuals that Eden serves are
significantly challenged by their autism.
Often, participants in the programs are
nonverbal with behavioral issues that
will require that they receive care for the
remainder of their lives.
Of the programs and services offered, Eden
runs a school for individuals from ages three
to 21, has 27 group homes that are staffed
24 hours a day and seven days a week, as
well as operating a day program on multiple
sites. Eden also provides vocational training
to assist its participants with becoming
gainfully employed in a variety of industries.
Chief Development Officer Melinda
McAleer notes that there are many roles in
which individuals with autism experience
greater success than neurotypical candidates.
An example of an Eden success story comes
from a young man named Zach. Zach
overcame his challenges, and despite being
nonverbal, he received his forklift driver’s
license. He is now employed at a local
warehouse where he assembles solar lighting.
Day centers are safe spaces where adults
continue developing behaviors and skills
that support community engagement
and employment opportunities. After
COVID-19 forced the closure of the day
centers, Eden pivoted to offer its day services
at Eden-staffed residences. Activities such
as painting and calls with family members
are also arranged at residences where care is
provided around the clock by dedicated staff
members, including the support of Eden’s
clinicians who partner with program staff.
The organization is fortunate many of the
corporate sponsors that have supported
them since day one still support them today.
In the wake of the pandemic, Eden did not
see a dip in charitable giving thanks to all of
these dedicated sponsors stepping up to give
back.
New Jersey is one of the most highly rated
states for raising a child with autism.
Families with autistic children often relocate
here following diagnosis to access abundant
resources and treatment options.
The state has been responsive to the
increased expenses that Eden and other
organizations are facing and made certain
adjustments to funding to get through the
initial period, including extended funding
for those staffing group homes.
Workers’ compensation insurance for the
many dedicated workers at Eden is provided
through JGS. Naturally, this led to many
questions throughout the pandemic.
“Eden and JGS worked closely and had
numerous discussions regarding what was
trending in workers’ compensation and the
potential impact of COVID-19,” said Eden
Autism President and CEO Michael Decker.
“It was imperative that our organizations
remain in close contact and communicate
frequently so that, together, we could
navigate the complexity and evolving
challenges of COVID-19.”
In the midst of adversity, one thing is
certain: Eden has kept its feet on the ground
and continues to blossom in spite of it all. +
BY: MEAGHAN TYNDALE-WILLIAMS, CLCS
VICE PRESIDENT, JGS INSURANCE
Meaghan Tyndale-Williams began her
insurance career with Liberty Mutual in
Commercial Lines as a Direct Sales Property
& Casualty Producer. She won numerous
sales contests and awards while at Liberty
Mutual including 2008 Producer of the Year,
Millionaires Club and Liberty Top Producer
Club. In 2014, after having her first of two
children, she transitioned to JGS Insurance
to be closer to home and began her current
position as Vice President.
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