Deb Ausema joined the Alliance in December 2021 as a development and facilitation specialist.  She is the lead facilitator for RIGHT RESPONSE®, a class she has been facilitating for over 14 years. 

Prior to joining the Alliance, Deb held a variety of human service positions, mostly focused on supporting adaptive behavior change.  She has worked for Shoreline Public Schools as a behavior technician, Seattle Children’s Hospital as behavior interventionist, and Service Alternatives as a training specialist, training services manager, and positive behavior support lead.  She is an advocate for people who experience a variety of disabilities and is passionate about supporting youth in the foster care system.

Deb earned a BA in psychology at Michigan State University and an MA Ed in mental health counseling from Seattle University. During her graduate program she also completed a unique independent study course through the University of Washington, studying family behavior change intervention strategies to improve pediatric health.  She is trained in Functional Family Therapy (FFT) and is a certified Incredible Years (IY) facilitator.

Deb prioritizes creating warm and welcoming training environments. She is inspired by the wisdom and experience adult learners contribute to group discussions. She is known for her conviviality, large vocabulary, and silly sense of humor.  In a previous role, she was a three-time winner of the “loudest laugh in the office” award.