Becky and Bob Thomas

A Legacy of Childhood Development for East Harlem and the Greater New York Community

In the early 1970’s new and expecting parents in East Harlem and the greater New York area struggled to find adequate support in navigating the difficult early years of raising and nurturing a healthy child.

In response to this need, the Center for Comprehensive Health Practice partnered with the Junior League of New York to create the Early Childhood Development Center (ECDC) in 1973.

The goal of the center was to help parents of children aged 0 to 3 years learn the principles of childhood development and gain ongoing support and guidance through a facilitated group setting. The vision was that in a small group setting, parents could share their questions, learn what to expect, and how to respond to their child’s changing needs. Groups would be organized by the child’s birthdate to discuss issues of normal childhood development with other parents of children the same age.

At that time, Becky Thomas, a 34-year-old Junior League member and pregnant mother enrolled in the first ECDC class. From that moment, the course of Becky’s life as a mother and a child development expert would change forever.

A commitment to those in need

“I was pregnant with my second child,” Thomas explains. “And I had learned how difficult parenting really was. That first course was taught by Dr. Nina Lief and it was truly magic. After three years of learning from her and sharing experiences with other parents with small children, I really engaged with the program hook, line, and sinker. After those three years, Dr. Lief said to me, ‘Will you teach with me forever?’ And I said, ‘yes!’ And that’s how it all began.”

Thomas, who earned her Master's Degree in Adolescent Psychology from the University of Kansas took her new-found passion for early childhood development and used it to teach thousands of other parents how to employ a comprehensive approach to raising healthy children. She ultimately went from being a program participant to Childhood Development Specialist/Parent Educator to the Director of the ECDC — a position she held from 1977 to 2017.

“Word of mouth spread among the mothers in my community and they all wanted to experience what mothers like me were learning through the ECDC program,” she explains. “Over time it became clear that this early childhood development model was helpful not only to those struggling with addiction issues but to parents and children from all backgrounds and communities.”

A unique and visionary playroom 

While the adults participating in the growing ECDC group sessions cultivated their parenting skills, their young children were furthering their development across the hall in a special playroom staffed with professionals and equipped with age-appropriate toys, books, and activities.

Today, that unique playroom remains an essential part of CCHP’s visionary approach to full family comprehensive health care and early childhood development. Thea Obstler, one of Becky’s former students and the current Director of the Early Childhood Development Center explains why the playroom is so effective.

“The playroom helps model good behavior for both the children and the parents,” Obstler explains. “It helps teach both how to handle things like transitions from one place to another and gives the child an opportunity for safe, educational, interactive play which allows the parent to focus on their medical visit without distraction. It’s more than just a room, it is a purpose-built space, designed with love and care, and staffed by a fabulous team.”

CCHP Chief Medical Officer Dr. Mariely Fernandez cites additional benefits of the playroom. “The playroom offers comprehensive medical assessment benefits as well,” she explains. “The space gives our staff unique insight into how children are behaving — both on their own and with others.”

“Dr. Richard Brotman, the founder of CCHP, knew that families needed more than treatment,” Thomas explains. “They also need good education and the playroom is one way we can provide that. It’s so wonderful to see the supervisors interact with the children. It’s really extraordinary.”

A role model for fathers

Becky’s husband, Bob Thomas, was a stalwart supporter of the ECDC program over the years before his passing in 2021.

“Bob was thrilled with what Dr. Lief and Dr. Brotman had developed with the ECDC program,” Becky explains. “He loved what I learned there, and the benefits it’s provided others over the years.”

“Bob really made other dads feel welcome,” adds Obstler. “He attended all of our events and really modeled the importance of the role fathers play in the development of healthy children.”

CCHP Chief Executive Officer Ann Mendelsohn explains why the organization has now chosen to honor Becky and Bob with the naming of CCHP’s playroom.

“Becky’s visionary leadership and unwavering dedication have been instrumental in building our Early Childhood Development Center into the vibrant community it is today,” says Mendelsohn. “Her profound impact on families resonates deeply with all of us. She has been the mother we all want to hang out with as well as our loving colleague, friend, confidant, and teacher, which is why so many mothers have told us, ‘We couldn’t have raised our children without Becky and the ECDC program.’ Becky and Bob have been a leading force in creating the ECDC community that's still thriving today after 50 years.”

In naming its playroom after Becky and Bob Thomas, CCHP is proud to celebrate their legacy and ensure that their commitment to helping families will live on. This space will be a living tribute to their values, fostering a legacy of education, support, and love for generations to come.