March Newsletter 2022
Get Ready to Celebrate!
Our first in-person Spring Gala in three years is just a few weeks away. We hope you’ll join us for the big party at the Hilton McLean Tysons Corner on Saturday, April 23 from 6:00 to 9:30 pm.
Register now to buy tables or individual tickets, or to be an event sponsor.
NBC4 News Anchor Shawn Yancy will be the emcee for this fun-filled evening. You’ll be able to bid on unique items such as artworks by Hunt Slonem, travel experiences, a chef’s dinner, and a guitar autographed by rock stars in our live auction. You’ll hear inspiring stories from current and former students about the difference PHILLIPS has made in their lives. And you’ll see delightful performances by some of our talented kids.
Don’t miss this chance to gather with your fellow PHILLIPS supporters and contribute to the success of our youth.
Autism Speaks Provides Fellowships
We’re proud to have the support of Autism Speaks for our new Fellowships in Design and Technology.
These paid fellowships are designed to help young adults with neurodiversity gain the experience and build the skills they need to pursue their career dreams.
Autism Speaks is providing funding for two 12-week-long fellowships that will begin on June 14. To apply, please contact Career Partners Director Lindsay Harris at Lindsay.Harris@phillipsprograms.org.
The first fellowship, sponsored by NOVEC, was awarded recently to 2019 PHILLIPS graduate Henry Spiegelblatt.
Henry was part of our first 3D design and printing class in 2016 and worked as our first 3D Technician Apprentice last summer. Now he’s back in the 3D lab at PHILLIPS School ~ Fairfax where he’s earning industry certifications in Additive Manufacturing, and assisting Designing Futures Program Manager Sam Son and instructor Tom Meeks with 3D classes.
When he came to work last week, Henry was bursting with pride. He couldn’t wait to let everyone know that, after falling short the first two times, he had passed the Learner’s Permit test. Henry clearly has taken our “failure is not final” message to heart. He says Sam’s rapid-fire quizzes helped put him over the top on his third try. Being able to drive himself to work when he gets his license will be a giant step toward independence and success for Henry.
Congratulations to Alteasha Ervin!
PHILLIPS School ~ Fairfax Program Director Alteasha Ervin has been appointed as an at-large board member of NAPSEC, the National Association of Private Special Education Centers.
Alteasha is dedicated to making education accessible for all learners. She has worked in teaching, counseling and supervisory positions for PHILLIPS since 2008. She’s been in charge of the Fairfax campus since it opened in 2016. That same year, Leadership Fairfax honored her as Northern Virginia Educational Leader of the Year.
Alteasha earned a Ed.S Degree in Educational Leadership from Old Dominion University, an MA in Special Education from the University of Phoenix and a BS in Psychology from Florida State University.
She holds an Applied Behavior Analysis Certificate from Florida Institute of Technology. In addition to serving on the NAPSEC Board, she is School Accreditations Team Leader for the Virginia Association of Independent Special Education Facilities and Private Provider Representative for the Arlington Community Policy and Management Team. Her other memberships include the Council for Exceptional Children and Virginia Coalition of Private Provider Associations.
Away from school, Alteasha loves traveling, going to the beach, spending time with family and friends and watching college football.
PHILLIPS Therapist Meets President Biden
MEGHAN BETZ (LEFT) WITH PRESIDENT BIDEN
PHILLIPS ~ Loudoun speech therapist Meghan Betz describes her recent visit with President Joe Biden as “an unbelievable experience.”
The White House invited her to meet with President Biden after she wrote a letter thanking him for sharing his own experience as a stutterer. Biden has worked hard since childhood to overcome his speech-language disorder and is eager to help others who stutter. One of the highlights of the 2020 Democratic National Convention was the prime-time video message from 13-year-old Brayden Harrington, a “regular kid” who said the personal encouragement and practical advice he got from Biden is helping him overcome stuttering.
Meghan says it was “an incredible gift to be able to share the president's personal encouragement with my therapy kids." The example he sets teaches them that they are not defined by their speech-language disorders, she adds, and that there are no limits to what they can do.
When the News is Scary …
As if living through a years-long pandemic wasn’t enough, the war in Ukraine has ratcheted up stress levels for many of us, including children.
Stephanie LaCroix, Related Services Supervisor at PHILLIPS School~ Fairfax, says the war has come up in many counseling sessions this month. She shared this article filled with valuable advice about how to talk with kids when they’re feeling scared and anxious about what’s on the news.
The ideas suggested by child development experts include:
Limit exposure to breaking news
Give kids a quiet time and safe space to share their feelings about what they’re seeing
Provide facts and context
Follow the Mr. Rogers Rule: Look for the helpers
Take positive action together: BE the helpers
Read Our 2021 Annual Report
This handy summary of where we've been and where we're going in the years to come is now available online. Please take a few minutes to review the Annual Report and pass it along to others who share your interest in the work we do.
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.