In this episode, we hear from Rebecca Jones-Gaston, Commissioner of the Administration of Children, Youth, and Families at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The Children’s Bureau, which is part of ACYF, is one of the six national partners of the Thriving Families, Safer Children initiative. As a key leader in Thriving Families, Safer Children, Rebecca brings invaluable insight into how the initiative is reshaping the way we approach family well-being.
With both a federal perspective and personal lived experience in child welfare, Rebecca explores the limitations of a system that too often relies solely on foster care, without addressing the underlying burdens and inequities families face. She highlights how the Thriving Families initiative offers a new approach, focusing on prevention and support that goes beyond the harsh intervention of family separation.
Throughout the episode, Rebecca emphasizes the need for listening, setting boundaries, and embedding race equity in systemic change. She challenges us to move past small fixes and tackle the deep, structural issues preventing families from thriving. Her message is simple: we can’t keep doing things the same way and expecting better results.
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The final episode of season one highlights Rebecca’s impactful leadership and serves as a call to action. As we listen to her wisdom, we learn that true transformation requires persistence, collaboration, and a commitment to the well-being of every family. Rebecca’s journey reminds us all that systemic change is possible—and that it starts with coming together, being honest, and prioritizing the voices of those most impacted.
