Presentation Title: Ethics in Child Welfare, Adoption, and DNA Discoveries – A Panel Presentation, Panelist discussing “Promoting Youth and Young Adult Voice in Placement Crisis and Child Welfare as an Ethical Practice”

Bio: Shajuana Gaston is a passionate young adult who is using her lived experience to fuel her professionally as a social worker and an advocate. After aging out of foster care, Shajuana went straight to college to obtain her BSW from Cleveland State University. Shajuana became a Sullivan-Deckard Scholar and graduated with many recognitions and academic achievements. She has an expansive work/service history with organizations like A Place 4 Me, Cuyahoga County Department of Children and Family Services, After School All Stars, and Adoption Network Cleveland. Shajuana continues to further her career in social work, focusing on macro-level practices and advocacy at all levels. Shajuana plans to open her own organization that will work to support and stabilize the family unit and take care of children impacted by the child welfare system.