2010 Family Strengths Symposium

We are pleased to welcome you to the University of Houston-Downtown's Center for Family Strengths First Annual Symposium on Family Strengths and Diversity: Power, Promise, and Practice. This theme affirms UHD's commitment to families and diversity in all of our educational, service and research endeavors. Families are at the heart of our city and nation. And families are at the center of our work, whether it is through public or private agencies' services to families with neglect and abuse, mental health needs, developmental delays, or justice, substance abuse or violence issues. Our goal is to save families for children and each member.

As you will see throughout all 50 workshops, we have the social technology, research and knowledge to keep families together (in most cases), and we should. Many sessions are led or co-presented by family experts who share with professionals what works and what doesn't. Our keynote speakers will affirm the principles of how to recognize what is right in each family and how to build on these strengths. We have many wonderful agencies and universities with exhibits for you to visit and the Kidsart exhibit and sale.

This Symposium could not have happened without the dedication and insight of many people, beginning with our planning committee listed in this program. All of our wonderful presenters and their agencies have graciously donated their expertise and time to share their work with us. Dean Susan Ahern, Dr. Adolfo Santos and Dr. Jo Bailey supported the development of Center for Family Strengths through their ideas and resources. The Social Work program and its students have implemented the vision of this Symposium. Many individuals have spent endless hours to bring this conference to you, including Steve Sucher; Yolanda Bridges and Marcus Benoit in the Center's office and Mary Rodriguez, Carmen Allen, Penny Cureton and Courtney Branch in the President's office

Wells-Fargo bank has generously supported the Center for Family Strengths through scholarships for family members' registration and for the Social Work scholarship fund. We are pleased to thank and recognize Mr. Mark Praigg, Vice President and Houston Regional Marketing and Community Relations Manager for WellsFargo.

Please enjoy the Symposium and the UHD campus and do engage our students, as they are our future. We are sure the presentations will help you continue the important work you do every day with families. We appreciate your dedication and service and are glad you chose to join us! Have a great Symposium!