February Newsletter 2021
We Love the Families We Serve
and They Love Us Back
As we wrap up this month devoted to love, we want to acknowledge a parent who has shown extraordinary dedication to her child and to our program for years. Tara and her daughter Samantha became a special part of the PHILLIPS family when we opened our Fairfax campus in 2016. PHILLIPS School ~ Fairfax Program Director Alteasha Ervin recalls that Samantha, who’s now a 10th grader, faced many challenges at first but has shown steady and significant improvement over the years. One of the biggest reasons Samantha has made so much progress, Alteasha says, is Tara’s tireless advocacy for her daughter.
Tara doesn’t have a car, so traveling to Fairfax from her home in the District of Columbia requires a arduous combination of Metro and bus rides. She turned down offers of transportation to and from school, says Alteasha, because independence is very important to her. Tara was proud of herself when she completed the journey between DC and Fairfax for the first time. It was an affirmation for herself and a lesson for her daughter.
Since then, she has made the trip countless times – and not only to attend Back-to-School Nights, Open Houses and parent-teacher conferences for Samantha. It’s not unusual for Tara to show up with birthday treats to surprise staff members. Every time she’s in the building, Alteasha says, Tara does something to brighten someone’s day.
Even in this time of distance learning, Tara has brought Samantha all the way from DC for in-person Related Services appointments every Monday. She has to stay outside the building for hours, with no car to relax in, because of Covid-19 safety rules.
Tara willingly does all that and more because, although she might have difficulty understanding everything about her daughter’s disabilities, she is determined to make sure Samantha receives all the services we can provide to improve her behavioral health. While showing her daughter that she is loved and valued, Tara always makes those who serve Samantha feel loved and valued, too.
Thank you, Tara, for putting your love into action!
How’s this for a Valentine’s treat? If you visited our Facebook page on Feb. 14th, you learned that we regularly get letters from one of our first students. Julie, who has autism and now lives in a group home, started at the School for Contemporary Education in 1967 and has stayed in touch with us ever since. She remembers when our founder, psychologist E. Lakin Phillips, would drop off cartons of milk and juice every morning at the tiny schoolhouse in McLean on his way to work at George Washington University.
Julie’s letters are always addressed to: Doctor Phillips Programs
After a year of pandemic pressures, there’s no better time for parents to learn calming techniques to use at home. There’s still time to sign up for our next Right Response classes, but you need to act fast.
The first session is Monday, March 1.
Right Response is a proactive and evidence-based approach for de-escalation, intervention, prevention and positive behavior support.
Sessions are virtual.
Session 1: Monday, March 1 6:00 – 8:00 PM
Session 2: Monday, March 8 6:00 – 8:00 PM
Cost per person: $30/session or $50 for 2
You will receive a link to access training sessions once you have registered.
Coming Soon!
It’s been years in the making and now the Building Futures house is almost ready to go on sale. The students in our Career and Technical Education program who built this luxurious home in Annandale learned lessons about teamwork, communication, responsibility and leadership as they were introduced to construction trade skills. It won’t be long before some lucky family moves in and the Building Futures team moves on to break ground for the next house.
A Not-So-Simple Machine
Speaking of building cool things, look what the students in Room 204 at PHILLIPS School ~ Fairfax created. They made this Rube Goldberg machine, leveraging what they've learned about simple machines and energy to serve up some afternoon snacks.
Click to watch video.
New Horizons Fund
For the second year in a row, we won’t be able to bring together hundreds of supporters in-person at our annual gala to raise essential funds for our programs. Instead, we’re launching a Spring Campaign to expand our workforce development initiatives for young adults with behavioral health needs. Your generous contributions have allowed us to open a 3D printing lab, an indoor vertical farm and state-of the art commercial kitchen. With your continued support this year, we will take the next steps to provide career opportunities in these innovative fields.
In Memorium
PHILLIPS Programs is saddened by the passing of two former members of our Board of Trustees.
Michael A. Barr was a PHILLIPS trustee for 10 years. Michael's legacy of mentoring others is remembered fondly by the staff and trustees who enjoyed his friendship and support.
Linda Washington-Robinson served on the Board of Trustees for nine years. Linda brought a passion for children and special education to our Board.
We extend our deepest sympathy to Michael's wife Robin and children Sean, Jessica and Jenny, and to Linda's husband Dwight and son Noah. Michael and Linda gave of themselves selflessly to the youth PHILLIPS serves.
PHILLIPS Programs for Children and Families
7010 Braddock Rd | Annandale, Virginia 22003
703-941-8810 | piper.phillips@phillipsprograms.org
PHILLIPS Programs for Children and Families is a private, non-profit organization serving the complex needs of children and youth living with cognitive, emotional and/or behavioral challenges in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area. Through excellence in specialized education, community programs and individualized support services, we provide our children and families every advantage to ensure they develop to achieve their greatest individual success. Their potential is our commitment.