Phyllis Richards Award Nominations

Austin Child Guidance Center is accepting nominations for the 11th Annual Phyllis Richards Icon for Youth Award.

Do you know someone who exemplifies excellence in improving outcomes for children or teens? Nominations for the 11th Annual Phyllis Richards Icon for Youth Award must be submitted by Tuesday, March 8, 2022. 

Submit your nominations for the following categories:

• Community Activist Award is for an individual who is dedicated to positive outcomes for children and teens through volunteerism and/or philanthropy
   
• Professional Excellence Award is for an individual who is dedicated to positive outcomes for children and teens by exemplifying excellence in their profession.
   
• Corporate Partner of the Year Award recognizes the work of a corporate or business who has demonstrated exceptional support and investment for increasing access to mental health programs for children and families in Texas.
   
• Volunteer of the Year Award recognizes an individual or group who has volunteered their time, skills, and passion to advance the mission of ACGC.
   
•  Partner of the Year Award recognizes an individual, organization, or community partner who has gone above and beyond to advance the mission and values of ACGC.

Selection and Recognition Process

Finalists from each category will be selected from the nominees based on the attached criteria. The Center will recognize all nominees and publicly announce Award Finalists prior to the event.
 
The Austin Child Guidance Center’s Board will choose the award winners and they will be revealed at our virtual award ceremony.
 
During the event program, each finalist and award winner will be recognized for his or her dedication to improving future outcomes for children and teens.

Nomination Criteria

The Award Winners will be chosen based on the following:

Scope and Impact of Work

How has the work of the nominee improved the quality of life for children and teens?
How has the nominee exemplified leadership in these efforts?
How long has the nominee been working to help improve the quality of life for children and teens?

Innovation

Has the nominee created or improved events, programs, systems, or processes to improve the quality of life for children and teens?

Growth and Perseverance

How has the nominee overcome obstacles in reaching their accomplishments?
What ways did the nominee display growth from facing difficult circumstances?

Submit your nomination here

Nominations are due Tuesday, March 8th.  

For additional questions send an email to development@austinchildguidance.org

Dr. Phyllis Richards has over 60 years of dedicated service in child development and shaping service delivery to children. Her commitment to ensuring that all children have access to quality early childhood education and mental health services has created long-term impacts for thousands of children. She served as a faculty member for The University of Texas at Austin’s School of Human Ecology Division of Human Development and Family Sciences for forty years. She was a visionary leader and researcher in the field of early childhood education and development, and worked vigorously to help establish the Head Start program on a national level. In her five years of service on the Austin Child Guidance Center’s Board of Directors, she was influential in helping the Center become the first site in Central Texas to provide mental health services to children who were victims of sexual abuse.