Greater Texas Community Partners

SAVE THE DATE!

Twelfth Annual GTCP Conference
Co-Sponsored by the
Texas Council of Child Welfare Boards

Sunday Afternoon October 19 thru

Tuesday October 21, 2008
DoubleTree Hotel
Austin, Texas

“Howdy! Welcome to Austin, Texas!”

More information coming soon!

Opening Keynote Address

Dr. Karyn Purvis

Dr. Karyn Purvis, has spent the last ten years developing research-based interventions for at-risk children. A developmental psychologist by training, her Ph.D. is with specialization in working with at-risk children. Throughout her life, a personal and professional calling has always been to create a welcoming, loving environment for children who come from "hard places". Foster and adoption issues have always been at the heart of her work, and when her own children were small, she served as foster mother to many children. She has three grown sons and six grandchildren. Karyn is currently the director of the Institute of Child Development at TCU. She is an avid advocate for children, serves in court as expert witness for abused children, and speaks frequently to parents and professional groups. She was recently honored with the 2008 T. Berry Brazelton, M.D. Infant Mental Health Advocacy Award, and has co-authored a feature book for McGraw-Hill titled "The Connected Child".

Karyn has taught parents and professionals all over the US and the world, including recent trips to England, Iceland, Scotland and Romania.

Closing Keynote Speaker

Victoria Rowell

Born in Portland, Maine, Victoria Rowell was raised in foster care for her entire childhood. Under the auspices of the Ford Foundation, she received a full scholarship to the Cambridge School of Ballet in Massachusetts at the age of eight. As a young dancer, she flourished there and became a member of the American Ballet Theater family. In addition, she participated in an exchange program with the Julliard School of Music & Dance program.

Rowell made the transition into acting from classical dance in her late 20s. Bill Cosby was so impressed by the young actress after seeing her in an audition that he cast her as his daughter in his comedy Leonard Part VI where she made her film debut. She also had a recurring role on The Cosby Show. ABC brought the talented young actress to Los Angeles to audition for a series. During that time she also auditioned for the daytime drama The Young and the Restless and was cast immediately. She has been on the series for 13 years.

Ms. Rowell has written a book and developed a documentary dedicated to the role models in her life. Both her book, The Women Who Raised Me, and her documentary, The Mentor, talk about the important people in her life who have helped her achieve her successes. Rowell has been honored with eleven NAACP Image Awards and is involved with numerous charities. In 1990, she founded The Rowell Foster Children’s Positive Plan (RFCPP). The mission of the organization is to give direct services in the areas of: fine arts, higher education, healthcare, financial literacy, reunification programs, cultural enrichment and resource family support.

In recognition for her contribution in education and supporting foster children and her work for human rights and world peace, Rowell received the United Nations Association Award. Recently, she received an Honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters from the University of Southern Maine and an Honorary Degree from Wheelock College in Boston – in recognition of her work in foster care and adoption. In addition, Rowell has been honored as a National Angel in Adoption by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute. She has participated in CBS’ annual “Home for the Holidays” special which honors foster children for the seven years.


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HOME ABOUT US VIDEOS NEWSLETTERS NOMINATION FORMS CONTACT US PARTNER LOGIN RESOURCES HOW YOU CAN HELP TO REPORT CHILD ABUSE CALL 911 or 1-800-252-5400 Sign up for email announcements! Name: Email:	SAVE THE DATE! Twelfth Annual GTCP Conference Co-Sponsored by the Texas Council of Child Welfare Boards Sunday Afternoon October 19 thru Tuesday October 21, 2008 DoubleTree Hotel Austin, Texas “Howdy! Welcome to Austin, Texas!” More information coming soon! Opening Keynote Address Dr. Karyn Purvis Dr. Karyn Purvis, has spent the last ten years developing research-based interventions for at-risk children. A developmental psychologist by training, her Ph.D. is with specialization in working with at-risk children. Throughout her life, a personal and professional calling has always been to create a welcoming, loving environment for children who come from "hard places". Foster and adoption issues have always been at the heart of her work, and when her own children were small, she served as foster mother to many children. She has three grown sons and six grandchildren. Karyn is currently the director of the Institute of Child Development at TCU. She is an avid advocate for children, serves in court as expert witness for abused children, and speaks frequently to parents and professional groups. She was recently honored with the 2008 T. Berry Brazelton, M.D. Infant Mental Health Advocacy Award, and has co-authored a feature book for McGraw-Hill titled "The Connected Child". Karyn has taught parents and professionals all over the US and the world, including recent trips to England, Iceland, Scotland and Romania. Closing Keynote Speaker Victoria Rowell Born in Portland, Maine, Victoria Rowell was raised in foster care for her entire childhood. Under the auspices of the Ford Foundation, she received a full scholarship to the Cambridge School of Ballet in Massachusetts at the age of eight. As a young dancer, she flourished there and became a member of the American Ballet Theater family. In addition, she participated in an exchange program with the Julliard School of Music & Dance program. Rowell made the transition into acting from classical dance in her late 20s. Bill Cosby was so impressed by the young actress after seeing her in an audition that he cast her as his daughter in his comedy Leonard Part VI where she made her film debut. She also had a recurring role on The Cosby Show. ABC brought the talented young actress to Los Angeles to audition for a series. During that time she also auditioned for the daytime drama The Young and the Restless and was cast immediately. She has been on the series for 13 years. Ms. Rowell has written a book and developed a documentary dedicated to the role models in her life. Both her book, The Women Who Raised Me, and her documentary, The Mentor, talk about the important people in her life who have helped her achieve her successes. Rowell has been honored with eleven NAACP Image Awards and is involved with numerous charities. In 1990, she founded The Rowell Foster Children’s Positive Plan (RFCPP). The mission of the organization is to give direct services in the areas of: fine arts, higher education, healthcare, financial literacy, reunification programs, cultural enrichment and resource family support. In recognition for her contribution in education and supporting foster children and her work for human rights and world peace, Rowell received the United Nations Association Award. Recently, she received an Honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters from the University of Southern Maine and an Honorary Degree from Wheelock College in Boston – in recognition of her work in foster care and adoption. In addition, Rowell has been honored as a National Angel in Adoption by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute. She has participated in CBS’ annual “Home for the Holidays” special which honors foster children for the seven years. .
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