PHILLIPS' Social Worker and Her Dog Win Coveted Award for Helping Children with Special Challenges

Katie Miller, a licensed clinical social worker at PHILLIPS Special Education Day School ~ Annandale, was named Related Services Provider of the Year by National Association of Private Special Education Centers (NAPSEC). Miller’s passion for supporting children with special needs extended beyond getting an advanced degree and license to include getting trained to use a service dog named Ryder to inspire children. Miller and Ryder accepted the award at a ceremony yesterday in San Diego, CA. “Katie is deserving of this top honor. She is a special person that gives her time and gifts to shaping young people’s lives in ways that make a profound difference,” explained PHILLIPS CEO Piper Phillips Caswell. “She and Ryder have won the hearts and minds of our students, making school a magical experience for our kids.”

After joining the PHILLIPS team, Miller took the significant step of applying for and receiving a helping dog with Canine Companions for Independence in New York. After going through the 80 hour training, away from home and at her own expense, Miller returned to school this fall with her four-legged friend Ryder, an affectionate golden retriever mix. Using Ryder to reach out to the entire school population, Miller has provided a means of communication for children with limited verbal capacity; a loving connection to those who are reluctant to join with others; and an “in-school job” for students wanting to learn about responsibility and work. Beyond Ryder, Miller has a history of taking on extra challenges to better serve the needs of PHILLIPS students, including receiving specialized continuing education in sand tray therapy and play therapy to support younger children. She also received training to enhance her treatment of children and families with trauma issues.

The NAPSEC Awards program is among the highest achievements for educators working with special populations of children. NAPSEC represents private specialized day and/or residential programs schools educating students with disabilities being served through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). IDEA requires that a continuum of alternative placements and services exist in order to address the individual needs of students with disabilities. NAPSEC members provide educational therapeutic services to both publically and privately placed individuals that are not able to be successfully educated in the regular education environment.

PHILLIPS Special Education Day School ~ Annandale is part of PHILLIPS Programs for Children and Families, a local nonprofit helping youth with a variety of challenges and qualities succeed. As a NAPSEC member, PHILLIPS serves students with special needs ages 6-22 who have significant learning and emotional challenges and for whom school has often been a place of repeated failure and frustration.

For half a century, PHILLIPS has provided customized support and education through three programs, including: Special Education Day Schools in Annandale, VA and Laurel, MD; PHILLIPS Family Partners offering home- and community-based counseling and support; and PHILLIPS Building Futures, an onsite construction and building trades youth training program in Fairfax and Loudoun counties.