(Published 2024 December)
Earlier this year, Debra Ranf, Crisis Response Services supervisor, received the Vanguard Award at the Domestic and Sexual Violence Community Annual Meeting. This was the tribute:
Debra Ranf is someone who needs no introduction; her infectious laugh is instantly recognizable to most of us. Deb’s commitment and passion for people is evident in her day-to-day work with survivors. She brings that same care, compassion, and love to mentoring and developing her colleagues.
Deb began her career as a relief counselor at the Fairfax County Women’s Shelter. She quickly advanced to the role of assistant coordinator, where she provided leadership for various initiatives within the shelter. When the coordinator retired, Deb took on the role of coordinator, steering the shelter through its transition from a county-run entity to a partnership with a non-profit organization, during which time it was renamed Artemis House.
She built crucial community relationships, including a partnership with INOVA Ewing FACT Department for the first Hospital Accompaniment Program for domestic and sexual violence victims. She also oversaw the transition of shelter operations to Shelter House, Inc. Since 2010, Deb has led the Crisis Response Services program, which moved from the Community Services Board (CSB) to Domestic and Sexual Violence Services (DSVS).
In her early days, Deb had to adapt to multiple roles, assemble new teams, and launch several new services and support positions. She accomplished all of this with poise, confidence, leadership, and positivity. She managed multiple responsibilities, including providing overnight coverage at the shelter; working with clients in individual and group sessions; leading the volunteer program; and supervising counselors, case managers, and relief staff. As a supervisor, she oversaw a diverse team of professionals, including hotline specialists, a legal advocate, an economic/housing advocate, a prevention and education specialist, and a children’s services specialist.
Deb supported the creation of community-based programs; awareness events for domestic violence, sexual violence, and teen dating violence months; prevention education for teens; a hospital accompaniment program; professional training on DV, SV, and children witnessing domestic violence; agency training on the hotline; statewide documentation procedures; the Lethality Assessment Protocol hotline; outreach, and more.
Her openness to change has brought stability during the most tumultuous times. As a leader, she inspires and energizes her team members to dream big and collaborate with other entities to provide high-quality service for Fairfax County residents. Many of her team members have experienced such high standards of professional guidance and support that they have excelled in their careers and in providing services to the clients we serve. She challenges her staff to question their biases and expand their understanding of the field.
Colleagues describe Deb as a caring and nurturing individual who supports them through challenging times. Her presence brings a sense of calm and support. Even staff who never worked directly with her know they can rely on her for support. To know her is to want to be in her company. She is a lover of life, radiating great energy and leading with her heart.
“Debra has a way of making you feel like family by cooking the most delicious coconut rice to share with anyone in the office, not just her team,” one colleague said. “Her hugs are one of the best things about working at DSVS, and her laugh is unmistakable and never fails to make everyone else around her smile or laugh along with her.”
That laugh, and the joy she brings to any room, creates an atmosphere of acceptance, comfort, warmth, and compassion—a place where everyone is family, and everyone’s middle name is Maria.
Thank you for all you have done for those impacted by domestic violence, sexual violence, human trafficking, and stalking in Fairfax County. For these reasons and so many more, we are so very pleased to present you with the 2024 Fairfax DV/SV Community Vanguard Award.
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