Rebecca Jones Gaston

Rebecca Jones Gaston is the former commissioner of the Administration for Children and Families within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Before joining the Biden Administration via confirmation by the U.S. Senate in December 2022, Gaston was the child welfare director for the state of Oregon’s Department of Human Services that oversees child protection, foster care and adoption services. During her time as director, Oregon launched a major transformation built on trauma-informed, family and community-centered and culturally responsive programs and services.

Gaston has worked in the field of human services and child welfare for nearly 25 years as a social worker, advocate, therapist, consultant and administrator. She previously served as the executive director of the Maryland Department of Human Services’ Social Services Administration. She was also a director with Casey Family Programs providing technical assistance to child welfare agencies throughout the United States and served as the national campaign director for AdoptUsKids, a collaboration with the Children’s Bureau and the National Ad Council.
A proud mother of two young adults, Gaston holds a degree in psychology from Georgetown University and a master’s degree in social work from the University of Pennsylvania.