DHR Family,
Please join me in extending congratulations to Rebecca Jones Gaston who has been appointed as Executive Director of the Social Services Administration (SSA). She has worked in the field of Human Services and Child Welfare for more than 19 years as a social worker, advocate, therapist, consultant and administrator. Rebecca has specialized knowledge and experience with change management approaches, implementation science and IVE waivers.
She also has extensive experience with community engagement, parent partners, mental health and achieving permanency for children in care. She has worked throughout her career leveraging internal and external resources to increase the safety, permanency, and wellbeing of children and families, and reduce the number of youth in outofhome care. I am pleased Rebecca accepted this position. She will continue to shift the service delivery paradigm to ensure we are achieving the best outcomes for the vulnerable populations that we serve. She is a strong and visionary leader who has formed strategic partnerships with organizations that share our goal of safety, permanency and wellbeing for those we serve.
As Executive Director of SSA, Rebecca is responsible for planning and implementing strategies, policies and procedures that ensure children and vulnerable adults are protected from abuse and neglect. She will continue to develop the Families Blossom initiative, strengthen adult services to meet the needs of a rapidly aging population, and ensure that children leave our care ready to thrive independently.Rebecca Jones Gaston, a long time resident of Maryland, holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Georgetown University and a Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of Pennsylvania.
I am also pleased to announce that Greg James, our Deputy Secretary of Operations, has taken on the the additional role of Acting Deputy Secretary of Programs. Since joining DHR last spring, Greg has worked to support me and the mission of our Department by ensuring that our operations are effective and efficient. I am confident that he will bring the same energy and dedication to our essential programs.
Please extend best wishes and support as Rebecca and Greg assume these challenging and critical positions.
