AdoptUSKids is pleased to announce that we have hired Deborah Burrus Germany as the director of our new National Center for Diligent Recruitment.
Deborah completed the Minority Professional Leadership Development (MPLD) fellowship in 2019 and went on to serve as director of that program. Before serving as MPLD director, Deborah worked passionately in the field of child welfare for more than 30 years. She held various positions in adoption and recruitment in the state of Georgia, including statewide recruitment manager and state adoption director.
During her time in Georgia, Deborah developed and implemented statewide diligent recruitment plans; developed, created, and carried out statewide recruitment programs; coordinated recruitment materials and recruitment activities; implemented AdoptUSKids “Answering the Call” in Georgia; guided the development of a recruitment database to track families through the recruitment process; participated in program and policy development for the recruitment continuum for foster, adoptive, and kinship homes; served as one of the primary developers of Georgia’s IMPACT curriculum used for pre-service training for foster and adoptive families; and served as the state’s spokesperson for TV and radio for the recruitment of foster and adoptive parents. Deborah also championed efforts to initiate discussions about racial equity, disproportionality, and disparities with Georgia’s judicial partners.
She has served on the board of directors for the National Adoption Association and for the Association of State Adoption Programs (NASAP), where she was an officer. In 2022, Deborah received an Adoption Excellence Award from the US Children’s Bureau and AdoptUSKids. She received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Adoptive and Foster Parent of Georgia Association for her years supporting adoptive, foster, and kinship families.
Deborah will be leading the team within the Center to support states, tribes, and territories in developing and implementing strategic, data-driven diligent recruitment plans to help improve outcomes in placement stability, permanency, and well-being for children and youth.
