Protecting Other People’s Children
The complete resource guide for organizations serving children and youth.
Debbie Ausburn
Debbie Ausburn is a social-worker-turned-lawyer who has worked with youth-serving organizations (YSOs) for more than 40 years. She graduated magna cum laude from the University of Georgia School of Law and jokes that she has “Career ADD” that has led her into a variety of professional experiences before settling into a legal practice of advising YSOs. She has served as a
• foster parent,
• juvenile court caseworker,
• private school teacher,
• summer camp counselor,
• mentor for young adults,
• volunteer and Board member with nonprofit youth organizations,
• member of the governing board of the Georgia Department of Human Resources, and
• a federal prosecutor of crimes against children.
She currently serves as a civil attorney working with YSOs, defending lawsuits, assisting with internal investigations, and advising clients about best practices for child safety.
Protecting Other People’s Children represents the lessons that Debbie has learned from her clients and legal work. YSOs have an essential mission to protect and serve children in their care. This book sets out the best practices that Debbie and Tom have seen for organizations to meet that challenge.
Tom Rawlings
Tom Rawlings has worked in child protection in the US and internationally for almost 25 years. Protecting Other People’s Children reflects his experience working with abused and at-risk children and youth as an attorney, juvenile court judge, child rights ombudsman, nonprofit leader, and director of the State Division of Family and Children Services.
He holds a law degree from the University of Georgia and a Masters’ degree in International Human Rights Law from Oxford University (UK). Certified by the National Association of Counsel for Children as Child Welfare Law Specialist, he understands that implementing best practices in child protection requires not only good policies but also good leadership. He formerly served as an abogado consultor for the Mexican government and worked to protect children of Mexican citizens living in the US.
In addition to his work in the US, Tom served as the Guatemala country director for International Justice Mission, where he built and led a team of Guatemalan professionals who worked with government prosecutors and courts to protect and treat child sexual abuse victims, prosecute offenders, and train child abuse professionals. He has trained child welfare, justice, and human rights professionals across the US as well as in Armenia, Romania, Lebanon, Peru, and Thailand.
✓ Ensure the safety and well-being of children under your care.
✓ Build trust and confidence among parents and stakeholders.
✓ Equip your organization with the knowledge and tools to create and implement effective child protection policies.