Commissioner Jones-Gaston introduces herself and her personal connection to child welfare
New ACS Commissioner Rebecca Jones-Gaston shares her personal background in child welfare, her career from frontline practice to federal leadership under the Biden-Harris administration, and her commitment to equity, prevention, and partnership.
Good morning.
My name is Rebecca Jones-Gaston, and I am honored to serve as the Commissioner for the Administration of Children's Services.
I'd like to thank Chair Stevens, Chair Lee, and the members of the Children and Youth and Finance Committees for convening today's hearing on the Executive Budget for City Fiscal Year 2027.
I am joined by my colleagues, Deputy Commissioner for Financial Services, Margaret Plentikoff, Deputy Commissioner for External Affairs, Stephanie Glendell,
Deputy Commissioner for the Division of Youth and Family Justice, Nancy Ginsberg, Deputy Commissioner for the Family Services Division, Louisa Linares,
Deputy Commissioner for Family Permanency Services, Ina Mendez, and Deputy Commissioner for the Division of Child and Family Well-Being, Elizabeth Volcomore.
Before I begin, I want to acknowledge Melissa Hester for her steady and compassionate leadership as interim commissioner.
During a period of transition, Melissa guided this agency with care, integrity, and deep commitment to children and families.
And I want to thank her and congratulate her on her new role as Executive Deputy Commissioner of People, Operations, and Technology.
I often say that I was born into the
Child welfare is not simply the work I do, it is personal to me.
It has shaped my life, my sense of purpose, and my understanding of what children, youth, and families need not only to survive, but to heal, grow, and thrive.
Because I know personally what systems can mean in the life of a child, I approach this role with both urgency and hope.
My professional journey has taken me from the frontline practice in child protection and foster care to leadership roles at the state and federal levels, including serving as commissioner
of the Administration on Children, Youth, and Families during the Biden-Harris administration.
Across every role,
Every system and every community, one lesson has remained constant.
Meaningful and lasting change only happens when we remain grounded in the voices, experiences, strengths, and hopes of the people most impacted by our decisions.