Join Us for the 15th Annual Phyllis Richards Awards Reception on December 3rd!

Join us as we celebrate 75 years of advancing the mental health and well-being of youth and families across Central Texas. Gather with community leaders, partners, supporters, and advocates for an intimate luncheon at Austin Child Guidance Center, featuring a special keynote address, reflections on our shared legacy, and recognition of those carrying our mission forward.

As part of the celebration, we will present the 15th Annual Phyllis Richards Icon for Youth Award, honoring an individual whose dedication to improving outcomes for young people reflects the spirit and enduring influence of Dr. Phyllis Richards.

Together, we will celebrate how far we have come and invest in the next 75 years of ensuring youth and families have access to the mental health care they deserve. An intimate gathering of 75 guests. A celebration of our legacy. A commitment to the next generation.

The reception will take place from 11:00 AM - 1:30 PM December 3rd at Austin Child Guidance Center. RSVP Here.

Nominations for the 2026 Phyllis Richards Icon for Youth Awards are open!

Submit a Nomination Here

Nomination Criteria

Scope and Impact of Work

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

Innovation

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

Growth and Perseverance

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

Selection and Recognition Process

Finalists will be selected from the nominees. ACGC will recognize all nominees and publicly announce the finalists prior to the event.
ACGC’s Board will choose the award winners and they will be revealed at our award ceremony.
During the event program, each finalist and award winner will be recognized for their dedication to improving future outcomes for youth.

For additional questions, send an email to our Development Team.

History of the Phyllis Richards Icon for Youth Awards

Dr. Phyllis Richards had over 70 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. Dr. Phyllis Richards was a visionary leader and researcher in the field of early childhood education and child 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.

Dr. Phyllis Richards passed away on April 18, 2023. The awards ceremony holds a special significance as we pay tribute to her life's work, which has been the cornerstone of child development services today. Dr. Richards' selfless commitment to children will always be remembered and celebrated by all those whose lives she touched.

2026 Recipient: Amanda Herron, LMSW

Amanda Herron is the Founder and CEO of Nurturing Change. With 30 years of experience serving children and families, she has worked in family ministry, child welfare, foster and adoptive parent support, and residential treatment. She is a TBRI® Practitioner and Educator and has trained and coached foster and adoptive parents, educators, and professionals in TBRI®.

Amanda founded Nurturing Change to make TBRI® training and support accessible to parents and professionals, helping strengthen families and prevent child welfare involvement.