Adventist HealthCare The Lourie Center for Children’s Social & Emotional Wellness Gratitude Report 2025
Gratitude Report 2025 • Letter from the Executive Director
Dear Friends, Partners and Supporters, At The Lourie Center, we are guided by a simple truth: the earliest years shape everything. From the very beginning, children build emotional, social and cognitive foundations that influence their futures, and the strength of our communities. This year’s annual report reflects both the urgency and promise of that mission. Each page tells a story of connection, resilience and growth, made possible by our families, staff, partners and you. We are proud to highlight the breadth of our work across direct services, training and research. Through compassionate, evidence-based care, we support children and families where they are. Our training equips professionals to respond to trauma and adversity, while our research advances the field of infant and early childhood mental health with innovation and equity at its core. This year, our “In the Community” highlights that this work does not happen in isolation. The continued support of Champions for Children and partnerships with the University of Maryland Dental School and Children’s National Medical Center’s mobile clinics expand access to integrated, responsive care. We also celebrate opportunities to join a shared vision with leading lights in early childhood. Events like our book signing with Isabelle Hau helped elevate the importance of relationships in early childhood and connect our work to a broader national conversation—reinforcing that strong, nurturing relationships are at the heart of healthy development. A particularly meaningful feature of this report is the word cloud drawn from family voices. Words like “Love,” “Care,” “Support” and “Exceptional” reflect both the experience of those we serve and the deep commitment of our team. We are so grateful to you, our donors. Your support sustains and expands our impact, enabling us to reach more families and invest in early childhood as the foundation for lifelong well-being. As we look ahead, we remain grounded in both science and hope. While challenges are complex, we know that early relationships and timely support change life trajectories. Together, we are shaping healthier children, stronger families and more vibrant communities. Thank you for believing, as we do, that the earliest years shape everything.
Jimmy Venza, PhD Executive Director
Gratitude Report 2025 • Programs
2025 Programs Therapeutic Nursery Program
Specialized preschool program — the only one of its kind in Maryland — served 31 children and their families from Montgomery and Prince George’s County.
The Lourie Center School Special education elementary school for students with social, emotional and behavioral challenges served 28 students. The program provides academic instruction with integrated therapeutic supports and mental health, speech and language, and occupational therapies.
Partnership with Montgomery County Infants and Toddlers Program (MCITP)
The Lourie Center partnered with MCITP to serve 3,953 children from birth to age 4 and their families. MCITP offers early intervention services to assist families with supporting their children’s developmental and special needs. Services are delivered in home and community spaces (e.g. libraries, playgrounds).
Parent-Child Clinic Services Program Accredited outpatient mental health clinic providing family-centered assessment and treatment services for children from birth to twelve years old and their families. The Parent-Child Clinic served 337 children and their families.
Head Start Program Federally funded early childhood program offering education, health, nutrition and family support from pregnancy through age five via centers, home visiting, and community partnerships, prioritizing the most vulnerable children and families. The Head Start program served 406 children and families.
Circle of Security The Circle of Security Program receives funding through Maryland’s Consortium to support social emotional needs of pre-K students and their families, as well as early childhood professionals through a trauma lens. The program has been delivering high quality coaching to parents and educators in five Judy Centers in Prince George’s County. This year, 200 children were supported through the program and 19 teachers and paraprofessionals. T H E LO U R I E C E N T E R F O R C H I L D R E N ’S S O C I A L & E M OT I O N A L W E L L N E S S
Philanthropy Revenue
Board of Directors
5%
Employee
40% Private Foundation
Gratitude Report 2025
1%
Corporation
Daniel Cocharan, FHFMA, FACHE Board Chair President, Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Center
Todd Cohen, CACHE, EDAC
45%
9%
Government
Individual
Corporation
$41,040
Employee
$176,726
Government
$1,657,812
Individual
$350,004
Private Foundation
$1,502,730
Josh Jacobs
Board Member Community Member
Robert Wehner, Jr., MBA
Vice Chair Vice President, Facilities, Real Estate Adventist HealthCare
Board Member Executive Vice President Retail Market Manager M&T Bank
Martha Valez, MBA
Kesso Diallo
Treasurer Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Center
Gwendolyn Mason, Ed.D.
Board Member Vice President, Special Education & Early Childhood Programs Adventist HealthCare The Lourie Center for Children’s Social & Emotional Wellness
Secretary Chief of the Division of Special Education and Student Services (Retired) Prince George’s & Montgomery County Public Schools
Jennifer Boss, MSW
Kandy McFarland, MBA, BSN, PMH-BC
Board Member President, Head Start Policy Council Parent
Board Member Vice President, Behavioral Health Service Line Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Center
Board Member Chief of Staff Zero to Three
Leslie Casco
Lourie Center Executive Leadership Kesso Diallo
Vice President, Special Education & Early Childhood Programs
Jimmy Venza, PhD Licensed Psychologist Executive Director
Jill Brown, LCSW-C
Licensed Clinical Social Worker Director, Clinical Services Program
Chrystal-Starr Brown, M.S.
Director, Head Start & Early Head Start Program
Anna Curtin, PhD
Teresa Witt, CFRE
Director, Philanthropy & Donor Relations
James Herrera, MD
Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist Medical Director
James Cowan, MS, Ed Educational Director, The Lourie Center School
Stella Akello
Operations Director
Anita Prabhakaran, MS, LGPC
Director, Infant & Toddler’s Program-MC
Licensed Psychologist Director, Therapeutic Nursery Programs
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Gratitude Report 2025 • Team Member Profile
Anita Prabhakaran Director, Infant and Toddler Program
Anita Prabhakaran is a dedicated clinical and program management professional whose work is rooted in a deep commitment to supporting children and strengthening families. With a strong background in behavioral health and family-centered services, she brings both heart and expertise to her leadership— fostering collaborative teams, nurturing staff development and building partnerships that help children thrive. Before becoming Director at The Lourie Center, Anita served as a Child Development Specialist and Team Leader with the Montgomery County Infants and Toddlers Program (MCITP) – Mid County. There, she worked closely with families of young children, conducting developmental evaluations, offering guidance and counseling, and helping caregivers feel confident in supporting their child’s growth. She also played a key role in bridging staff and leadership, ensuring that services were thoughtful, coordinated and responsive to each family’s needs. Earlier in her career, Anita founded and led PIMS Labs, Inc., a consulting firm focused on project management and process improvement. She has also held leadership
roles as a Clinical Director and Director of Clinical Operations in behavioral health and human services organizations in Pennsylvania. Across these experiences, she has been known for bringing people together, strengthening systems and keeping compassion at the center of care. Anita holds a master’s degree in counseling from Pace University and is a Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor (LGPC) in Maryland. She is passionate about creating inclusive, high-quality programs and believes deeply in the power of strong relationships—both within teams and with the families they serve. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Anita is a lifelong learner with a passion for books, travel and cultural exploration. She enjoys spending time with her husband and leads her neighborhood book club, where she brings people together through a shared love of literature. An enthusiastic home cook and baker, Anita also enjoys entertaining and creating memorable gatherings for family and friends. As a trained Bharatanatyam dancer, Anita draws inspiration from the discipline, artistry and storytelling traditions of this classical Indian dance form, reflecting her enduring appreciation for culture, creativity and connection.
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2025 DONOR NAMES AND LEVELS $500,000+
$50,000 – $99,999
$10,000 – $24,999
$5,000 – $9,999
Bainum Family Foundation
Anonymous
Walter A. Bloedorn Foundation
Michael and Amy Aquilino
Mr. and Mrs John Crisologo
Robert and Arlene Kogod Foundation
Walter Brownley Trust
$250,000 – $499,999 Alexander and Margaret Stewart Trust
Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation J. H. Walker Legacy Foundation
Julie Grohovsky and Craig Hoover
Daniel and Debra Cochran
The Ruth and Hal Launders Charitable Trust
$2,500 – $4,999
M&T Charitable Foundation
Anonymous
$100,000 – $249,999
$25,000 – $49,999
Asante Foundation, Inc.
BXP
The Richman Foundation
Champions for Children DC
Savard Family
Betty Ann and Gil Kaplan Valinhos Foundation
Alison and James Pearce
Healthcare Initiative Foundation
Every effort was made to list all donors accurately. We apologize in advance if we missed including your name or what we have listed is inaccurate. Please contact Teresa Witt with any questions at TWitt@LourieCenter.org. We are deeply grateful for your friendship and support. T H E LO U R I E C E N T E R F O R C H I L D R E N ’S S O C I A L & E M OT I O N A L W E L L N E S S
Gratitude Report 2025 • 2025 Donors $1,000 – $2,499
$100 – $499
Jennifer and Mark Boss
Anonymous
Elan and Jackie Burman
Amanda Bower
Todd Cohen and Rabi Baht Weiss Catherine G. Crockett Elllie and Andy Glass Wendy Kisch and Mark Gourley
$1 – $99
Diana and Jesse Brande George Bregman
Karen Garman and Robert Mulderig
Deanna Aghguiguian
Drs. Carol and Thomas Garvey
Cherise Callahan
Joanie and Roger Golden
Michelle C. Brennan
Louisa and Steven Hollman
Lydia Cheruvathoor
Jermel Jackson
Seleem Choudhury
Evelyn Kays-Battle
Mary and Eric Hill
The Clark Construction Group, LLC
Jaquenette and Mathew Keady
Anna Curtin
Andrew and Pamela Marsh
Eursula David-Sherman and David Sherman
Gwendolyn Mason
Diallo-Harrell Family
Kandy McFarland
Zemina Divecha Rhea Edmond
Paypal Charitable Giving Fund
Diana England
Geoffrey Pickford-Gordon
Alan M. Ezagui
Alida Ridgely
Kimberly Gaines
John and Sue Sackett
The Pargament Family Charitable Gift Trust Ann Roda and Jose Hernandez Lawrence Rosenblum Drs. Brigit and Jimmy Venza Teresa and James Witt
Florence Lourie
The McBride Family
Anonymous (2) Diane Castiglione Denise Chandler Patricia and William Driscoll Carolyn Horton Brendan Johnson Margaret Morrisey Lucia Pugnali Daniel and Barbara Witt Kamal Yaktine
Marjorie Sonnenfeldt
$500 – $999
Nancy and Charles Wolfson
Anonymous Celeste Basier Jessica and Les Bland Ellen Hornstein and Denis Cioffi Mark E. Griffin Josh and Marcy Jacobs David Wessel and Naomi Karp Thomas Venza and Lynda Pontecorvo St. Mary’s Catholic Church Irin Wills-Allen
What our parents are saying about The Lourie Center Programs
The center provides a safe, caring and welcoming environment. The staff are kind, attentive, and professional and my child feels comfortable and happy here.
H. Marcel Wright
– LC Head Start Parent
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Gratitude Report 2025 • Training, Education and Consultation
TRAINING, EDUCATION & CONSULTATION NAEYC Annual Conference 2025 In November, thousands of early childhood professionals gathered in Orlando, Florida for the annual conference of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). Through a peer-review process, the Therapeutic Nursery Program (TNP) at the Lourie Center for Children’s Social & Emotional Wellness was selected to present a session entitled “Getting to Know You: Welcoming Children and Families into Your Program with a Thoughtful Approach to Enrollment.”
In their presentation, Marianela Rodousakis, LCSW-C and former TNP Assistant Director, and Stefanie Powers, MS, ECMH-E, the TNP Care Navigator, described how TNP’s relationship-based approach to preschool enrollment and orientation fosters a community where all families feel valued, connected and empowered to support their child’s early learning journey. TNP’s trauma-informed care is grounded in cultural awareness and sensitivity. Each child’s background is explored to develop a comprehensive understanding of the child and
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family’s needs. Investing the time to fully understand family history, challenges, strength and priorities, equips staff members to provide individualized support and services and become true partners with families during the important preschool years that set the foundation for later success in school and life. From the moment the families reach out to the program to the time their child enters the classroom, TNP staff members create a solid foundation of trust, safety and support. That foundation is essential to fostering open communication, building strong relationships and providing an effective early childhood mental health and early education program where children and families can thrive
and where TNP fully puts into practice the Adventist HealthCare RISES values of Respect, Integrity, Service, Excellence and Stewardship.
Tenth Annual INTERACT Conference In April 2025, Jimmy Venza, PhD, represented the Lourie Center at Teachstone’s InterAct CLASS® Summit 2025. There, he gave a presentation on the center’s trauma-informed training, considered best-practice among early educators and trauma specialists. This national conference brought together early childhood leaders from across the country, all centered on a powerful idea: the daily interactions children have with adults form the foundation for lifelong success. Dr. Venza led a dynamic session titled “To Trigger or Be Triggered: Negotiating Trauma in the Classroom.” The training engaged more than 80 experienced early childhood professionals, many with more than two decades of experience in the field. All share a common challenge: how to better support educators facing overwhelming stress, burnout and drop-out due to the demands of working with challenging behaviors from children impacted by adversity and trauma.
The session fostered both learning and connection. Participants openly shared their day-to-day challenges, as well as their successes, creating an atmosphere of collaboration and mutual support. Dr. Venza recognized and celebrated the deep expertise and unwavering commitment present in the room, reinforcing the importance of sustaining and supporting those who care for young children. Described by attendees as both educational and therapeutic, the session left a lasting impression. In recognition of its impact, Dr. Venza was invited to return for next year’s summit, along with Dr. Diane King-Shaw, Clinical Director of The Lourie Center School.
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Gratitude Report 2025 • Training, Education and Consultation
Zero to Three Conference Two of The Lourie Center’s proposals were accepted as Poster Presentations for the ZERO TO THREE 2025 LEARN Conference in October 2025 in Baltimore. This early childhood conference is
“Being With:” Bringing Circle of Security to School Communities to Uplift Caregivers, Early Childhood Educators, and Young Children (COS Team 1)
held annually among educators, mental health providers and leaders, researchers, advocates, and policymakers to strengthen knowledge and connection within this community.
Safety and Permanency Planning for Children Coping with Abuse and Neglect: Applying Attachment Theory to Inform Lifetime-Impacting Decisions (Julia Wessel – COS2)
The center is doing well caring for our kids needs and keeping them safe. What our parents are saying about The Lourie Center Programs
– Parent of The Lourie Center School
I have seen such great improvement with my son’s behavior and being able to voice his feelings. The different strategies used have helped him manage and cope better with his emotions. I love how there is enough staff to promote one-on-one attention to individual students when needed. The meetings with teachers are valuable, they are very attentive, observant and keep me well informed about my child progress. My child loves it here and has said this is better than his old school. – Parent of Therapeutic Nursery Program
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RESEARCH TIPS ECHO Update: Deepening & Expanding Trauma-Informed Practice The Lourie Center’s TIPS ECHO is trauma informed training that is not an “extra” for early childhood educators, it is foundational to helping both educators and children achieve lifelong success.
Why This Matters Now The United States is facing a dual crisis in early childhood: a growing number of young children are entering classrooms with significant mental health and traumarelated needs, while the early childhood workforce is experiencing unprecedented levels of stress, burnout and turnover. Educators are on the front lines of this crisis but are often underprepared and under-supported to respond effectively—and are desperate for training.
Changing Trajectory Research shows that the mechanism for overcoming adversity and trauma is built on nurturing, supportive relationships, with the teacher-student relationship being crucial. When adults gain insight and empathy into a child’s internal world, both their perceptions and behaviors transform and children become more engaging and responsive (Ziv et al., 2016).
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Gratitude Report 2025 • Research TIPS ECHO provides educators with the tools they need to more effectively support children facing adversity and trauma. The program has expanded to six cohorts, 100 educators and administrators, having an impact on more than 800 children in St. Joseph County, Indiana and New Mexico. This year and for the first time, one of the cohorts was a monolingual Spanish language cohort for family childcare educators. The program also strengthened the research by adding a control group, who were educators from the same community but who were not part of TIPS ECHO. Special thanks to our partner in Indiana, Terri Kosik, and the Ready to Grow St. Joe community. We look forward to sharing outcomes later in 2026.
Next, TIPS ECHO goes to Philadelphia for the school year 2026–2027. The early childhood mental health crisis demands immediate, scalable solutions. TIPS ECHO offers a promising practice that transforms educators, supports workforce stability and improves learning outcomes for young children. The Lourie Center is currently pursuing investment in national scaling that will enable TIPS ECHO to reach educators and children across the country thereby strengthening the early childhood workforce and ensuring that every child has access to trauma-informed, developmentally supportive care.
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IN THE COMMUNITY Celebrating Our Corporate Partner: Boston Properties (BXP) For the past five years, Boston Properties (BXP) has been a steadfast and generous corporate partner of The Lourie Center, helping bridge the gap between what it costs to educate and support a child and the available state or federal funding. Their commitment goes far beyond financial support, it is rooted in genuine care for children, families and our staff. Over the years, BXP has provided winter coats to keep our students warm, festive decorations for our fall festival and breakfast for staff during Children’s Mental Health Day. Their employees have also rolled up their sleeves as volunteers, helping build a planting garden at the Refreshing Springs Head Start program. This hands-on involvement has deepened employee engagement while making a lasting difference for our community. We are deeply grateful to BXP for their heartfelt generosity, partnership, and shared belief in the importance of children’s mental health. They are truly valued partners in our Mission.
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Gratitude Report 2025 • In the Community
Champions for Children & The Lourie Center: Partnering for Children’s Mental Health In September 2025, Champions for Children convened its Countdown to World Mental Health Day celebration, raising critical funds at a time when nationwide cuts continue to threaten access to children’s mental health services. The evening honored exceptional leaders advancing children’s well-being, including Dr. Joyce Harrison for outstanding mental health leadership, Maryland Delegate Jamila Woods for public service and Stroll magazines as an outstanding community partner. Their work, alongside Champions for Children grantees, reflects the power of collective action to strengthen mental health systems for children and families. That spirit of partnership continued through a special book signing and luncheon with Isabelle Hau, author of Love to Learn: The Transformative Power of Care and Connection in Early Education.
Co-hosted by Champions for Children and The Lourie Center, the event highlighted the essential role of connection, empathy and relationships in childhood development and lifelong mental health. In December, Champions for Children further demonstrated their commitment by presenting a grant to The Lourie Center to help cover vital services not reimbursed by insurance—support that is increasingly critical as costs rise and state billing rates remain stagnant. We are deeply grateful to Champions for Children for being a 2025 grantee partner and for their leadership in building awareness, fostering collaboration and ensuring that no child or family is left without support when they need it most.
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Gratitude Report 2025 • In the Community
Little Smiles, Big Impact This year, The Lourie Center’s Head Start classrooms were filled with more than just learning, laughter and care, they were filled with a whole lot of bright smiles. Thanks to our partnership with the University of Maryland Dental School, dental students visited our Head Start program to provide on-site screenings and fun, interactive presentations for our children. What made this experience so special was how they met our children right where they are turning what could feel scary into something exciting and empowering. Children learned how to care for their teeth, asked questions and proudly showed off their brushing skills. At the same time, they received important screenings that help us stay in line with Head Start health requirements. But beyond compliance, this was about access. For many of our families, dental care isn’t always easy to reach. This partnership helps close that gap, bringing essential services directly into a trusted space. It’s a reminder that when community partners show up, barriers come down. We are so grateful for this connection and the care it brings to our children because every smile truly matters.
What our parents are saying about The Lourie Center Programs
My child has truly matured and is able to be self-aware at school. He is able to communicate his feelings to his teachers. Thank you Lourie Center. – Parent of a Child who attends Clinical Services
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Gratitude Report 2025 • In the Community What our parents are saying about The Lourie Center Programs
The Center did an amazing job guiding me when getting registered and made sure I was fully informed every step. Ms.Nicole is an amazing teacher, she’s a pleasure to be around. My son adores her. I am grateful to have been able to enroll him in this program. It has been a huge help to me and has made a big difference in his development. – Parent of Head Start Student
2025 University Affiliations
Intern Volunteers
• Erikson Institute – Master’s in Social Work Program
• Clark University – Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology
• Trinity University – Undergraduate Psychology Program
• George Washington University – Clinical Community Psychology Program
• University of Maryland – Undergraduate and Graduate School of Social Work
• University of Notre Dame – Undergraduate Summer ServiceLearning Program
• Gallaudet University – Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology • Catholic University – National Catholic School of Social Service
• Divine Mercy Institute for Psychological Sciences – Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology
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