Oregon Child Welfare Director Nominated For Biden Administration

SALEM, OR —President Joe Biden announced Wednesday his intent to nominate Rebecca Jones Gaston, director of the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) Child Welfare Division, to serve the Biden-Harris administration as the commissioner of the Administration on Children, Youth and Families (ACYF).

Jones Gaston, who began her role with ODHS in 2019, will need to be confirmed for her new position by the U.S. Senate.

"I am honored to have served as leader of the Child Welfare Division for the past two years and am grateful to our staff and partners for working together to improve outcomes for children and families," Jones Gaston said in a statement. "Oregon will always hold a special place in my heart, and I look forward to bringing Oregon's experience in child welfare into the national conversation."

The ACYF, which Jones Gaston will lead if she is confirmed, is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and oversees federal programs that support: the positive growth and development of children, youth and families; protective services and shelter for at-risk youth; and adoption for children with special needs.

Jones Gaston joined the ODHS following Gov. Kate Brown's executive order aimed at improving the child welfare system. According to the ODHS, her accomplishments include:

• Stabilizing the Child Welfare Division, including decreasing the number of children in foster care by 22 percent since November 2019.
• Beginning the implementation of the Child Welfare Division Vision for Transformation, which brings a racial equity and anti-racism lens to every aspect of the work of the division.
• Receiving federal approval for Oregon's Family First Prevention Services Plan, which was the first step toward Oregon's goal of transforming the child welfare system into one that is prevention-oriented.

"I'd like to thank Rebecca for the progress we have made during her tenure in stabilizing Oregon's child welfare system and establishing a vision for transforming the system to better serve children and families," Brown said. "Rebecca's federal nomination is a testament to the good work happening in Oregon. I congratulate Rebecca on her nomination and am pleased that children and families across the country now will benefit from her leadership."

Jones Gaston has worked in the field of human services and child welfare for more than 24 years as a social worker, advocate, therapist, consultant and administrator.

Before joining ODHS, Jones Gaston served as executive director of the Social Services Administration at the Maryland Department of Human Services.

"With a specialized knowledge and experience on responsible change management approaches, Jones Gaston is committed to working on the implementation of successful evidence-based programs," the White House said in a statement.

"Over the years, (Jones Gaston) has formed strategic national and state partnerships with organizations that share the same goals of safety, permanency and well-being for those served by public agencies."