History

Responding to the Special Needs of Children & Families since 1967

Our story started in 1967 with the belief that every child can overcome adversity with the right support. This brief overview details the key events that have led the PHILLIPS organization from an idea held by Psychologist E. Lakin Phillips to the multi-state enterprise that it is today.

“What defines an organization, typically the mission and its values, is the actual practice on a day-to-day basis that creates the stories that reflect the core of an organization.”

- Piper Phillips Caswell, President & CEO of PHILLIPS Programs

  • 2023

    Family Partners closes.

  • 2022

    PHILLIPS Programs founded SpringForward, a nonprofit that creates career opportunities for young adults facing barriers to employment.

  • 2017

    PHILLIPS Programs celebrates 50 years of providing services to youth with behavioral health needs.

  • 2016

    PHILLIPS Programs launches Career Partners.

  • 2016

    PHILLIPS Programs opens PHILLIPS School - Fairfax.

  • 2014

    PHILLIPS Family Partners receives national recognition from the Center for the Study of Social Policy for promoting Youth Thrive framework.

  • 2014

    PHILLIPS Teaching Homes program closes after more than 30 years of providing therapeutic foster care in Northern Virginia.

  • 2010

    PHILLIPS Programs wins The Washington Post Award for Excellence in Nonprofit Management.

  • 2001

    PHILLIPS School ~ Laurel honored as U.S. Department of Education “Blue Ribbon” secondary school.

  • 1998

    Board adopts PHILLIPS Programs for Children and Families as new organization name.

  • 1998

    PHILLIPS School - Laurel builds new addition to serve additional students.

  • 1994

    PHILLIPS School - Laurel opens; School for Contemporary Education’s (SCE) Baltimore unit closes.

  • 1994

    Founder, president, and chairman Dr. E. Lakin Phillips dies following a brief illness; Diane Brendsel takes on the role of chairperson.

  • 1993

    SCE launches community/home-based family preservation program (later renamed PHILLIPS Family Partners).

  • 1993

    PHILLIPS School - Annandale honored by U.S. Department of Education as “Blue Ribbon” secondary school.

  • 1989

    PHILLIPS School - Annandale opens, with First Lady Barbara Bush and U.S. Senator John Warner attending the dedication ceremony.

  • 1977

    At the request of the State of Israel, SCE sends two staff members to Israel for one year to establish an autism program.

  • 1975

    Congress passes the Education for All Handicapped Children Act, reflecting SCE input on regulations.

  • 1972

    SCE receives 3-year grant to develop a model pre-school program in a church near Tysons Corner, Virginia.

  • 1972

    The program expands to serve approximately 150 students.

  • 1967

    Psychologist E. Lakin Phillips, along with family and friends, founds the School for Contemporary Education (SCE).