Impact Report - 2023

Thank You.

Your support makes it possible for The Baker Center for Children and Families to reach greater heights in our mission to provide the highest quality care to children and families, conduct cutting edge training and research, and build stronger and healthier communities. Because of you, we have the resources to reach thousands of children and families and support their mental health, social development, and educational goals.

We are deeply grateful for your loyalty and support. Without your help, we couldn’t do what we do. This was an outstanding year of service for children and families across our wide range of programs. We saw substantial growth in several areas, most notably the number of families and communities we impacted throughout the year.

This past spring, we launched The Baker SuperK Walk, Roll, & Fun Run. The SuperK was designed to provide a space of connection, healing, and support for our community. We were touched by the number of families who participated, and the amazing goodwill generated in support of children’s mental health and special education. We hope the SuperK will continue to bring our community together and celebrate the families we serve.

Connections with our community partners grew this year as well. Collaborations with Waltham Public Schools and Morning Star Church led to a broader range of support to many families in underserved communities around Boston. Our BeWell initiative resulted in new, evidence-based training programs for clinicians passionate about providing the highest quality care for children in their communities. Our evidence-based and trauma-focused programs trained providers both here in Massachusetts and across the country in effective interventions as well as provided trauma-focused services to children in our community. Our Emergency Line continues to provide a safety net for children and families across the Commonwealth. We continue to expand our Center for Effective Therapy to reach more families and treat a wide range of challenges including depression, anxiety, PTSD, ADHD, and behavior challenges. While our Manville School continues to provide a holistic education for children with special education and mental health needs. This wide range of services and programs provides families with hope and enables children to reach their full potential and thrive.

As we look toward the future, we hope to continue to build on our success by reaching more children and families in need and working to ensure that every family has access to the highest quality care they deserve. We sincerely thank you for your generosity and continued support to help make that vision a reality.

Robert P. Franks, Ph.D. President and CEO

John Serafini Chair, Board of Trustees

Our Impact in 2023

2 campuses

Boston & Waltham

Next Step

Graduates 20

Nearly

650 families received services across over 175 communities

Over 8,000 outpatient clinic visits serving over 550 children

Nearly

475 mental and behavioral health professionals received training

Nearly

60 Camp Baker Campers

40% of families

received reduced-fees or need-based aid

75,000 calls answered via the Massachusetts Child Abuse Emergency Line Manville School Students 120

Over 400 attendees for our inaugural SuperK

Increasing Access to High-Quality Care

Since opening in 2020, The Baker Center’s new stateof-the-art Waltham campus is helping to meet the diverse needs of thousands of children and families and address the shortage of clinicians delivering high-quality care. The over 12,000 square foot facility houses our second outpatient clinic location and professional training programs, and the Massachusetts Child Abuse Emergency Line.

Now with two campuses – in Boston and in Waltham – The Baker Center serves children and families living in more than 100 Massachusetts cities and towns.

In 2023, we opened new therapeutic spaces in Boston, enabling us double the amount of outpatient clients seen. To make this possible, our administrative, training, innovation, and policy teams have moved to Waltham. Bringing the teams together will foster innovation, creativity, and collaboration to meet the challenges and tackle the complexities inherent in our work.

Boston Campus

Waltham Campus

The Center for Effective Therapy

The Center for Effective Therapy provides short-term, evidence-based, and culturally-tailored mental health treatments for children (ages 2-22) and families who are dealing with problems related to anxiety, depression, trauma, and disruptive behavior. At our clinics in Boston and Waltham, families from more than 100 towns and cities in Massachusetts seek support from our clinicians. Therapists help children and caregivers learn skills to enhance relationships and address emotional and behavioral problems. In 2023, we saw a 25% increase in the number of children and families served at our clinic, with a 40% increase in the total number of appointments.

The Baker Center has given me a chance to really see my child for who she is. I feel a closeness with her that I had never felt before.

- CET Caregiver

A big thank you to the Yawkey Foundation for providing the financial support to allow us to expand our clinical space and provide more treatments to families than ever before!

Manville School is a therapeutic day school for children (ages 5-16) experiencing complex social, emotional, behavioral, and learning needs that impact their ability to succeed in other school settings. In 2023, nearly 120 students achieved exceptional educational and personal outcomes through Manville’s integrated clinical, behavioral, and academic services. Manville has a diverse student population representing 49 communities in Massachusetts. In 2023, at least 43% of students qualified for reduced or free lunches, and many families received support through the Manville Children’s fund, including gift cards to grocery stores, coats, and school supplies.

I’ve never seen my son so excited about going to school and seeing his teachers and friends.

- Manville Caregiver

Camp Baker is a six-week summer day camp for children (ages 6-12) with ADHD and related disruptive behavior disorders. Each summer, campers find joy and gain social, academic, and life skills giving them confidence in school and life. They also gain friendships, helping them feel understood, accepted, and cared for – experiences that are vital for personal and lifetime achievement. Held at Hale Education in Westwood, it’s the only Summer Treatment Program that’s run out of a real camp location. In 2023, Camp Baker experienced the highest demand ever for participation. The camp was held at capacity with 60 campers.

My son spent a lot of time being told he’s a bad kid. People would tell him all the ways he was bad that day. He’s not a bad kid at Camp Baker.

- Camp Baker Caregiver

Next Step: College Success & Independent Living

Next Step: College Success builds confidence for independent living and college life for students ages 16-20 with Asperger’s Syndrome, Autism Spectrum Disorders, social anxiety, and non-verbal learning disabilities or related learning differences. Each year, up to 30 students participate in social nights, day-long sessions, and a week-long overnight college campus stay. Participants learn what to expect in college, what supports are available and how to access them, and practice how to navigate academic and social situations as they transition from home to college. Caregivers also benefit from educational sessions designed to help them support and reinforce their child’s skill use. In 2023, 50% of Next Step students received scholarships to attend the program.

A profoundly life-changing experience. I now believe in myself and my ability to be successful in college, as well as whatever the next step happens to become.

- Next Step Student

The Quality Care Initiative

The Quality Care Initiative (QCI) offers professional development training to mental health practitioners to close the research-topractice gap and to increase access to the highest quality care in Massachusetts and beyond. QCI services help to address the workforce crisis in the behavioral health workforce, producing more qualified professionals who can efficiently treat more children and families. In 2023, QCI reached nearly 4,700 communities and served almost 2,000 individual families in 11 states.

Professional Training Program

The Baker Center provides professional training programs to current and future psychologists, social workers, early childhood specialists, special education teachers, psychiatrists, nurses, and mental health counselors. To support undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral students, we offer on-the-job training through practicums, internships, and fellowship opportunities through our clinic and other programs. We train practitioners to utilize evidencebased treatment practices that will increase the effectiveness and efficiency of care. In 2023, we trained over 400 professionals from multiple different states across the country including CA, FL, IN, MA, NC, NY, OH, and UT.

Evidence-Based Policy Institute

The Evidence-Based Policy Institute promotes research and offers expertise on a comprehensive range of mental health policy issues. Our expert staff educates and collaborates with legislators and state leaders to make effective policy and funding decisions and partners with state and community organizations to increase access to inclusive and equity-oriented care.

Read our latest policy report, Mental Health and Schools: Best Practices to Support Our Students, which gained over 1,000 downloads in 2023.

The Massachusetts Child Abuse Emergency Line, operated by the Center for the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families, provides a statewide emergency response system protecting the Commonwealth’s children from abuse and neglect.

Last year, the Emergency Line fielded over 75,000 calls – operating 24 hours/day, 365 days/year.

New England Association of Child Welfare Commissioners and Directors

The New England Association of Child Welfare Commissioners and Directors is a consortium of child welfare agency leaders and staff from Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Utilizing a shared learning approach, leaders in the region work together to change policy and practice to better serve youth and families who interact with the child welfare system. The Association facilitates the Parent Leaders of New England, The New England Youth Coalition, The National Youth Engagement Advisory Council, and The Massachusetts Network of Foster Care Alumni, elevating the voices of, and providing community for, those who have experienced the child welfare system. In 2023, long-time Executive Director Julie Springwater retired after 29 years of service. We are thrilled to welcome Maria Gagnon as the new leader of NEACWDC!

Donors

THANK YOU to all of our friends who supported The Baker Center in 2023. We are grateful to our community who believe in our mission and work to provide the very best mental health care for all children.

Individual Donors

$10,000+

Deborah L. Anderson

Julie and Joe Bradley

Rick and Lynne Breed

Patrick and Sarah Cammarata

Scott and Amy Goebel

Amos and Barbara Hostetter

Mr. John Levy and Ms. Gail Rothenberg

David and Randi Martens

Dorothy A. Weber

$3,000-$9,999

Jayesh Bhansali

Kathryn E. Cade and Frederick T. Miller

Christine O. Dunn

Primo and Erin Fontana

Brian and Mary Jo Hogan

Robert G. Holdway and Elin H. Graydon

Ralph and Janice James

John LaPann

Joseph Martignetti

Deborah and Jonathan Moll

Robert and Elizabeth Morrill

Patricia Romeo-Gilbert

John and Daniele Serafini

Eric and Amanda Tjonahen

Philip Viar

Jay and Linda Webber

Gwen Zoppo

$1,000-$2,999

Peter Abuisi

Nidhi Aggarwal and Prasun

Agarwal

Devon W. Angelini

Laura K. Barooshian

Christopher and Kristen Cabral

Andrea Calamita

Harvey and Tina Crosby

Melissa Davis

Drs. Robert P. Franks and Brenda Coyle Franks

Kelly French

Beth and Jay Goldfarb

Richard Granara

Robert Jangro

Mark Johnson

Andrew R. Knowland, Jr. and Marijane Tuohy

Jay and Julie Layden

Christopher McDonough

Jim and Krisann Miller

Mr. and Mrs. Lev Perelman

Derrick Perkins

Kenneth and Judith Peskin

Rick and Yvonne Renwick

Charles and Mary Ann Schultz

David A. Schwartz and Jane Price Schwartz

Roy Serpa

Claire and Jeffrey Stern

Neil and Lauren Tagerman

$500-$999

Anna Abate

Pamela E. Allara

Glenn and Pat Alto

Laura A. Bass

Bill and Barbara Beardslee

Paul Chisholm

Mary Comer

Jonathan Crames

David Cross

Daniel Curtin

Maria Esteve

Joseph and Cynthia Freeman

Buddy Gumina

Sarah Hancock

Peter and Sarah Kuper

Jane and John Loose

Sarah Loose

Tina Loose

Teri and Juan Macias

Catherine and Robert McMenimon

Jennifer Mendonca

Michele Norman

Ms. Ann O’Donnell and Dr. Michael Z. Lazor

Kathleen Passano

William Payne

Allen Reardon

Mr. and Mrs. Charles Smith

Casey Solis

Robert and Wren Sooy

George Tannenbaum

Dana E. Tufts

$100-$499

Sean Abely

Stuart Ablon

Kate Agarwal

Nancy Alexander

Kate Allen

Joshua M. Alper

Laurie Austin

Kelly Bagley

Alex Bahrawy

Kenneth and Barbara Bane

Susan Barnard

Michael Barry

Scott Barta

Kevan Barton

Ibrahim Bechwati

Gregory Beedy

Christopher Bellonci and Edouard Fontenot

Richard K. Bendetson

Charlene Bert

Elizabeth S. Bishop, Ph.D.

Michelle Bishop Malik

Remy Black

Chandler Blake

Deborah Blondin

Leslie Bogen

Maggie Boland

David Borden

Kevin Bouchard

Ginette Brown

Lisa Burgess

David Burke

Cathy Burns

Igor Burukhin

Erin Callanan

Laura Cannata

Christine D. Cannonier

Mario Caputo

Kathleen Carberry

Corey Carlyle

Ned Carney

John Carr

Melissa Carr

Danielle Carreira Ching

Lauren Celano

Carlos Cevallos

Alexandra Chabrerie

Jansi Chandler

Mary Charles

Daniel Cheron, Ph.D.

Kathleen Chloros

Julian Chu

Alongkrit Chutinan

David Cohen

Connaught Colbert

Tom Connell

Brendan and Carol Conry

David J. Coughlin

Matthew and Janice Coyle

Sean Cronin

Christine Crowley

Sarah Cucchiara

Matthew Czepiel

Robin M. Deutsch, Ph.D.

Keith DiCarlo

Matthew DiGirolamo

Robert Doles

David J. Donahue

Martin J. Drell, M.D.

Nicholas Dronen

Mr. Donnie Braunstein and Ms. Elise Belilos

Kate Dumas

Mark Eaton

Jeremy and Jill Elman

Linda and Harvey Elman

Nora Elton

Jessie Epstein

Nina Farouk

Maureen Ferreira

Attorney Mary Ferriter

Kevin Flaherty

Katelyn Flint

Jeff Flowers

Harvey A. Fodor

Marc Fortier

Maria Gagnon

Sophia Garmey

Dr. Virginia Gavris

Suzanne Geary-Henderson

Charles and Felicia Gervais

Matthew Giorgetti

Annette Given

Brian Gleason

Abigail Glovsky

Alex Glovsky

Lia Glovsky

Mike Glovsky

Richard D. Glovsky, Esq. and Susan Glovsky

Jacqueline Goldberg

Seth Goldfarb

Michael Green

Sue Greenberg

Maria Griglio

Howard and Joan Gross

Andrea Grych

Sarah Gurney

John & Lindsay Haddad

Bill Hamilton

Dwayne Harris

Craig Harsfield

Megan Hastings

Bobby Hermesch

May Herr

Lisa Heyl

Susanna High

Linda Hill

Anne Hite

Courtney Hite

Stephanie Hohenstein

Matthew Holman

Zachary Houston

Nancy S. Hyde

Phyllis Itoka

Joanne Y. Jaxtimer

Martin Kane

Larry Kaplan

Alan and Diana Kaye

Edward and Lillian Keefe

Stephen Kelly

Ki Nam Kim

Kisung Kim

Rachel Kim

Andrew King

Jayne Knox

Melanie Kokoros

Sarah Koster

Paul and Lee Kouri

Dr. Douglas and Janice Koza

Debra Kradzinski

Dave Kusmin

Rachel Langer

David LaPann

Bethany Lee

Donald Lee

Jed Lehrich

Megan Lenzi

Michael and Judy Leopold

Suzanne LeVan

Judith Levine

Dave Liebrock

Judith Liskin-Gasparro

John Litzow

Laura Loftus

Alexander Lurye

Anne Mahon

Christie Mais

Leah Mais

Caitlin Malone

Rick Manley

Mason Marek

Belinda Marquis

Emily Celano Marquis

Thomas Marra

Karen Marryat

Maureen Martens

Anna Martineau

Stephanie and Vincent Massey

Katherine May

Ray L. Maynard

Leslie McClain

Marion McEwan

James McGlew

Marc McGovern

Andrea McGrath

James McIntyre

Shana McKenna

Shannon McLaughlin

Jill McNamara

Kristen McVeety

Sherry Meadows

Jennifer Mendelsohn

Jenny Merritt

Kate Merritt

Brenda Messervy

Gretta Miles

Corine Milgram

Misbah Mohammed

Michael Monteiro

Alex Montgomery

Lori S. Mooney

Michele Moses

Mike Nay

Jane Wasserman Newman

Sabrina Nicholson

Elizabeth Nolan

William and Assunta O’Keefe

Andrew O’Brien

Moira O’Brien-Meacham

Kelsie Okamura

William Overholt

Kenneth Owens

Gail Packer

Tessa Palafu

Michael Palmer

Nancy Peabody

Rubye Peyser

Colleen Phelps

Megan Pickette

Justine and Doug Plaisted

Christopher Poke

James and Doris Prince

Ellen Promise

Patrick and Anne Quinn

Linda Rappaport

David Rattner

Marcy Ravech

Nan Reap

Jean Rich

Dan Riley

John Riordan

Chelsey Robinson

Aida Rodriguez

David Rouse

James A. Rullo

Beth Salcedo

Susan and Michael Santry

Jacob Sarid and Ofra Sarid-Segal

Dr. Andrew Schiff

Greig Schneider

Jamie Schor

Scott Sepinuck

Nancy Serafini

Hank Shafran

Fredi Shonkoff

John Siracuse

Mr. Walter Snedeker

Paige Solomon

Pam Sousa

Heidi Steinert

Edward Stern

Ramnath Subbaraman

Corryne Swails

David and Karen Swan

Rob and Jan Swartz

Daniel and Abby Swenson

Stephani Synn

Valentine Talland

Sarah Tannenbaum

Lydia M. Taylor

Mary Beth Taylor

Fritzlaine Thermidor

Susan Thompson

Barbara W. Thumm

Jeremiah Toomey

Dr. Claudio Toppelberg and Mrs. Sarah Romano Toppelberg

Blair Tyson

Anastasia Karasoulos Vekiarides

Gina Verdi

Davide Villani

Amy Wagers

Amy Waltzman

Jean Waye

Charles Webb

John T. Wilmot

Dianne Wolpert

Heather Yountz

Rick Zantow

Frank A. Zelko

David Zimmer and Rebecca Buffum

Aileen Zogby

Marc Zwetchkenbaum and Linne Kimball

Corporate and Foundation Donors

$10,000+

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation

Cabot Family Charitable Trust

Cummings Foundation

The Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism, Inc.

G. Gorham Peters Trust

John W. Alden Trust

Klarman Family Foundation

Yawkey Foundation

$3,000-$9,999

AAFCPAs

Adage Capital Management, L.P.

Berkshire Bank

CBIZ & MHM

Clayton F. & Ruth L.

Hawkridge Foundation

The Dubilo Hill Group at Graystone Consulting

Fiduciary Trust Company

HawkEye 360, Inc.

J.C. Higgins Corp.

The Leonard and Hilda Kaplan

Charitable Foundation

LMA Services Company

Locke Lord LLP

Marsh & McLennan Agency

The Martin Salomon Morton and Gustel Schreiber Morton Fnd.

Needham Savings Bank

New World Advisors

Piccolo Family

Charitable Foundation

Process Unity

PRW Wealth Management LLC

Ranfac Corp.

RSM US LLP

Silicon Valley Bank

Tarlow, Breed, Hart & Rodgers, PC

The TJX Companies, Inc.

ValMark Securities

Global Gift Fund

Wegmans Food Markets, Inc.

$1,000-$2,999

Accenture LLP

Appleton Partners

Dedham Savings Bank

Fiducient Advisors

The Gant Family Foundation

Gilmore, Rees and Carlson, PC

PFK O’Connor Davies LLP

Prime Buchholz

Ruberto, Israel & Weiner, PC

SignWorks Group, Inc.

$500-$999

The Albright Foundation Trust

Eastern Bank Foundation

United Way of Rhode Island

$100-$499

All Brand New England Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts

Give Lively Foundation, Inc.

Jones Lang LaSalle

Leenath Foundation

Van Millwork

2023 Events

Thank you to our event committees, sponsors, board members, friends, and staff for your time, commitment, and generosity. In 2023, we raised critical funding at our events to fuel our programs, increase access, and improve care.

THE SUPERK WALK, ROLL, AND FUN RUN

Our inaugural community fundraising walk happened on May 6th at the Charles River Esplanade. Over 400 supporters registered for the event and joined us for an afternoon of support and healing for children and families. Check out the highlight reel!

17TH ANNUAL BAKER CENTER GOLF TOURNAMENT

We held our 17th annual golf tournament on June 26th at the Walpole Country Club. Over 100 golfers joined us for a fun-filled day of play, camaraderie, and fundraising out on the green.

UPCOMING 2024 EVENTS

May 2024

Scan the QR code to register today!

June 2024

Scan the QR code to register today!

Fall 2024

Be on the look out for more information about this event in the near future.

2023 Financials at a Glance

We continue to invest in the future of The Baker Center, building the capacity to support ongoing growth and new areas of work.

Fiscal Year 2023

*This reflects a delay in our Employee Retention Credit and subsequent utilization of endowment funds to cover expenses. Following this report the Employee Retention Credit funds have been received.

Board of Trustees

From giving time and attention to issues and matters of concern, to deepening relationships with current and new donors and friends, we deeply appreciate our Board of Trustees for their loyal and generous commitment and efforts.

John Serafini Chair

Laura K. Barooshian

First Vice-Chair

David J. Martens

Second-Vice Chair & Treasurer

Thanda Fields Brassard Clerk

Richard P. Breed III Assistant Clerk

Nidhi Aggarwal

Laura A. Bass

Jayesh D. Bhansali

Kristine E. Biagiotti-Bridges

Terence S. Bradshaw

Christopher D. Cabral

Christine Dunn

Primo A.J. Fontana

Chris Herndon

Joe Martignetti

Christopher McDonough

Jill M. McNamara

Michele Norman

Eric Tjonahen

Jay L. Webber*

Dorothy A. Weber*

*Trustee Emeritus

In early 2024, we were deeply saddened to hear of the passing of our longtime Trustee, Thanda Fields Brassard. Thanda was incredibly dedicated to the mission of The Baker Center, acting as the Clerk of our Board of Trustees, Chair of the Governance and Nominating Committee, and Co-Chair of our Annual Golf Tournament. Thanda was a passionate and unwavering advocate for children's mental health, making an incredible impact on our world that will never be forgotten.

Community Partners

Collaboration is imperative for us to increase access and deepen our impact. We are grateful to work with a growing network of organizations to deliver high-quality mental and behavioral care to children and families in Eastern Massachusetts and beyond.

Black Ministerial Alliance of Greater Boston

Boston College

Boston Medical Center

Boston Public Health Commission

Boston Public Schools

Boston University

Boston University School of Social Work

Carney Hospital

Centerboard

Embrace Boston

Gaston Institute/ UMASS Boston

GO Agency

Haitian American Medical Association

Hale Education

Harvard Business School/ Community Action Partners

Harvard Kennedy School

Harvard Medical School

Lasell University

Massachusetts Department of Children & Families

Mattapan Community Health Center

Methuen Public Schools

Morning Star Baptist Church

National Child Traumatic Stress Network Learning Collaborative (5 agencies)

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHTCAREGIVER CONVERSATIONS

Caregiver Conversations is a faith-based, community led support program for parents and caregivers of children and teens funded by the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation’s (BCBSF) Special Initiatives Grant. The program was delivered in partnership with The Baker Center for Children and Families, Morning Star Baptist Church, and the Parent/ Professional Advocacy League of Massachusetts (PPAL). Following the 12-hour facilitator training in Fall 2023, project staff instructed 9 caregivers from the Dorchester, Roxbury, and Brockton community in relationship building, strengthening communication, caregiver wellness, and effective advocacy skills – with the goal to spearhead their own support groups. With five months remaining, group facilitators have conducted 6 group sessions (virtual and in-person) with 17 caregivers in their communities, and more sessions are planned ahead!

Osiris Group

PCIT International

State of Florida Orange County Learning Collaboratives (14 agencies)

State of Maine MATCH Training Partnership (15 agencies)

State of North Carolina Learning Collaborative (6 agencies)

Tufts Medical School

VISIONS

Waltham Chamber of Commerce

Waltham Public Schools

affiliates (Cont )

For posters, brochures, advertisements, websites and other marketing and positioning materials, we are recommending the use of the Harvard Medical School shield with this affiliate line. Note that “dueling shields” can actually impede communications — people do not know where to look first. We suggest separating shields and corporate logos, and making your own affiliate shield/logo more prominent. The shield and tagline for Harvard Medical School works well on the lower left of page designs.

HARVARD MEDICAL SCHOOL AFFILIATE

The Baker Center for Children and Families

When you support The Baker Center for Children and Families, you are not only helping to increase access to high-quality care and special education, but you are also supporting broad-based efforts to improve mental and behavioral health care for children and families in Massachusetts and beyond.

HARVARD MEDICAL SCHOOL TEACHING HOSPITAL

53 Parker Hill Avenue, Boston, MA 02120 | Phone: (617) 232-8390

HARVARD MEDICAL SCHOOL AFFILIATE

HARVARD MEDICAL SCHOOL

HARVARD MEDICAL SCHOOL TEACHING HOSPITAL

HARVARD MEDICAL SCHOOL

To learn how you can support The Baker Center, please call (617) 485-9635 or email giving@bakercenter.org.

Thank you for making a real impact.