Phillips Programs celebrates 50th anniversary

From the left: Priscilla Knight Williams of NOVEC: Phillips Programs President Piper Phillips Caswell; Alex Robbins of Rep. Gerry Connolly’s office; Mike Policicchio, partner, EY; Trudy Bell, program director, Phillips School-Annandale; Del. Mark Keam, Cindy Fithian of NOVEC; Debi Alexander, director of development, Phillips Programs.

The 50th anniversary of the Phillips Programs was marked at a ceremony at the school’s Annandale campus on Oct. 11.

Del. Mark Keam presented a resolution commemorating the anniversary that had been passed by the Virginia General Assembly. Alex Robbins of the staff of Rep. Gerry Connolly presented a resolution that that had been published in the Congressional Record commending the school and its new Career Partners program.

Phillips Programs serves students with special needs ages 5-22 who have significant behavioral health challenges and for whom school has often been a place of repeated failure and frustration.

Phillips helps youths succeed by providing customized support and education through four special education day schools, including the Phillips School in Annandale at 7010 Braddock Road.

Phillips Family Partners offers home and community-based counseling and support. Phillips Career Partners helps students transition to employment through experiences and job placements in the building trades, culinary arts, urban agriculture, and 3D design and printing. One career project involves students building homes, including one in Annandale.