Debra Jenkins-Kearney, JD
Senior Consultant
Pronouns: She/Her
Debbie’s life took a turn twenty-four years ago when, as a second-year law student, she began interning with the Defender Association of Philadelphia’s Child Advocacy Unit. Her dedication to supporting children and families was driven by the overrepresentation of Black families in the child welfare system. Debbie’s experience as a practicing child welfare attorney contributes to her understanding of the challenges, biases, and systemic barriers that exist within human service organizations. She has co-created and implemented training on child welfare and the legal process for new social workers and through her role as a staff attorney with the American Bar Association’s Center on Children and the Law, Debbie worked to analyze and identify the cause of permanency delays; developed recommendations for reform; established written protocols and procedures; and provided multidisciplinary training and technical support to judges, attorneys, and social service agency staff.
Debbie emphasizes relationships, equity, inclusion, and collaboration in her approach to providing technical assistance aimed at supporting leadership and strategic development, enhancing best practices for youth engagement, and promoting equitable permanency outcomes for youth and young adults in the child welfare system. She serves as a Senior Consultant with Maddy Day LLC & Associates, is an Advanced Results Count Practitioner, and a certified Professional Diversity Coach through Coach Diversity Institute.
