Ja-Neen Jones stays on Track for Connecting Foster Children with Families as a 2018 Woman to Watch

Ja-Neen Jones has been employed at Three Rivers Adoption Council (TRAC) for 13 years. She is the Director of Adoption & Foster Care Resources. While this position holds multiple responsibilities to include overseeing a staff of 10+ and creating the marketing and communications aspects of TRAC, her passion is recruiting families. Ja-Neen is known as the “resource person” for Western Pennsylvania regarding foster care/adoption focused issues. She also supervises the Wendy’s Wonderful Kids grant program for the agency.

Ja-Neen’s leadership style has been instrumental in motivating and empowering others to be leaders. She has a vast network of professionals throughout the country. However, she prides herself with coordinating the Waiting Child segments featured on KDKA/CBS Pittsburgh with Lynne Hayes-Freeland. She attends numerous events throughout the year that allow her to speak on behalf of the thousands of children throughout the State who are waiting for a family. Ja-Neen considers working at TRAC as a ministry opposed to employment.

Ja-Neen works as a representative for the Western Pennsylvania Adoption Subsidy where she assists and advocates for children and their families on financial benefits and services available to them. She provides trainings on both the state and national level on the successful recruitment of children identified as special needs (e.g. African American, older youth, siblings and those with physical and emotional challenges). Ja-Neen was recognized by Classic Events and Congressman Mike Doyle as one of the “Ladies Who Network” in 2014.

Ja-Neen is also an adjunct professor at Allegheny County Community College (CCAC), which allows her to connect and assist students through their educational journey.

Ja-Neen earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from Wilberforce University in 1991 and earned a Masters in Organizational Leadership from Geneva College in 2013. With over 25 years of professional experience working with diverse groups such as female offenders, child care, homeless population, drug & alcohol, individuals with mental health conditions and the elderly, Ja-Neen is dedicated and committed to fostering others towards a positive change in their lives.

Ja-Neen is the mother of two children, Jaylen (21) and Jaz-zee (18), and an active member of Macedonia Baptist Church in the Hill District where she proudly serves as the leader of the Companionship Ministry.

Ja-Neen believes that she can do all things through Christ who strengthens her and knows the best is yet to come in 2018.