Teamwork Makes the Dream Work
A Message from Our President
Although May is designated as Staff Appreciation Month, I am grateful all year long for the Dream Team we have at PHILLIPS Programs.
The youth we serve, like all children, have dreams for the future. Everyone on our staff shares a commitment to realizing those dreams. I see that commitment in action every school day as they use patience, humor, and ingenious strategies to produce the incremental achievements that add up to long-term success for our kids.
Each child’s hope for the future is unique, as are the challenges they face in pursuing their dreams. Our staff members are tireless in coming up with individualized solutions to overcome obstacles and build life-changing relationships with our youth.
Every member of our team, regardless of their official job title, is a "teacher." Through their daily actions, they teach all sorts of important lessons large and small; calming techniques, social/emotional learning, academic and vocational skills, a love of learning, and so much more. They are all learners, too. Staff members thrive as they learn effective techniques from one another, drawing on the shared experience that comes from our organization’s 56 years of serving youth with emotional and behavioral health needs.
Every day of every year, I personally appreciate the PHILLIPS team’s unparalleled dedication to making the dreams of our youth come true.
Piper Phillips Caswell
President & CEO
Be Part of Our Dream Team
As this school year winds down, we are already gearing up for the next one. PHILLIPS has a wide range of career opportunities at our schools in Virginia and Maryland.
Open positions include: Program supervisor, teacher and assistant teacher, counselor, dedicated aide, instructional support assistant, behavior manager, speech language therapist and more. You’ll find all the listings on our website.
If you or someone you know are looking for a place where you know your work will make an impact, come to PHILLIPS Programs.
Building Futures Students Earn Certifications
Congratulations to the students in our Building Futures program who received credentials this month that will help them find employment in the construction field.
Six students earned First Aid/CPR/AED Certifications and four completed OSHA 10 Construction Certification training, a 10-hour course about basic safety and health for entry-level workers in construction and general industry. Workers with this credential authorized by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration have industry-specific knowledge and skills that help prevent injuries and keep workplaces safe and productive. Companies may require employees to have an OSHA 10 card and it’s mandatory in some states and localities.
One student who is graduating with their High School Diploma in a few weeks passed a more in-depth 30-hour course to earn the OSHA 30 Construction Certification.
Giving students in our Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs the opportunity to gain credentials such as these is one of the ways we help them demonstrate to prospective employers that they’re well-prepared and eager to work.
Designing Futures Does It Again!
In the Spring of 2023, Designing Futures offered 3D Design and Printing instruction for young adults with differing abilities at our fully equipped Designing Futures Lab at PHILLIPS School ~ Fairfax campus.
The community class was not only an opportunity to learn technical skills and explore the possibilities of 3D printing in education, manufacturing, and art; it was a great way to meet other people who are interested in 3D printing to socialize and expand their personal networks.
Participants were encouraged to bring their own design ideas to the class, and many were amazed at how quickly they were able to turn their ideas into physical objects. The instructors were on hand to teach, answer questions and guide participants through the process.
One participant said, "I've always been interested in 3D printing but never had the chance to try it out. This class was a great opportunity for me to learn and experiment with the technology. I was able to print out a plaque that I designed myself, and it was really exciting to see it come to life."
Thank You, Autism Speaks
We are proud to have received support from Autism Speaks for our Earn and Learn Fellowships in Digital Design and Technology. Autism Speaks provided funding for seven-week paid fellowships for three young men to develop technical skills in 3D design and printing, and information technology at our lab in Fairfax. Watch Video
Saying Goodbye to Family Partners
PHILLIPS has made the difficult decision to close our Family Partners program at the end of June.
We founded Family Partners in 1993 to support and empower children, youth and families with mental health and developmental needs and to reduce family stress and dysfunction and build on strengths and resiliency to stabilize families and create safe home environments.
Housed at the Annandale campus, we have provided services to thousands of youth and families through our intensive home-based services, parent training, ABA services, mentoring and other interventions in the Northern Virginia community.
The challenges associated with staffing, the service model, and financial pressures led us to this decision. This is not a sudden situation, but one we have worked hard at rectifying for several years.
It is important to note that this decision in no way impacts our schools or the overall stability of the organization. We continue to be strong and resilient. However, this decision was made in the best interest of PHILLIPS Programs. There are times when organizations must make difficult decisions based on facts and this is one of those times.
We are indebted to our three Family Partners leaders over the past 30 years, Sandy Porteous, Carrie Clark and Karin Kelley, and are grateful to Kerry Rojas and Rhea Caracosta and to the many family workers who worked on behalf of families.
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.