Womazetta Jones
Womazetta Jones, MA serves as the Secretary of Rhode Island’s Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS), bringing almost 30 years of human services experience to the role. Among her immediate objectives are to lead Rhode Island’s ongoing transition to a health and human service network that examines an individual’s health needs on a holistic basis.
After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in law enforcement administration and political science from Western Illinois University, Womazetta later went on to receive her Master of Arts degree in psychology, counseling and guidance from Chicago State University.
In her previous role, Womazetta served as the director of social services for Ramsey County, MN, which provides protection and support services for children and adults, including services around disabilities, mental health, substance abuse disorders, child protection, foster care and child care licensing, and adoptions. Here, she strived to help eliminate the stigma of mental health challenges facing communities of color and the area’s Native American populations.
Womazetta began her career as a child welfare specialist at the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services in 1991, eventually being promoted to Deputy Bureau Chief. Here, Womazetta was responsible for child protection practices throughout Illinois.
Womazetta credits her upbringing with providing her with such a giving spirit. Growing up on Chicago’s South Side, she spent time with her grandmother, who would prepare meals and deliver them, along with donated clothing, to area families in need—all on her own. It’s because of this dedication to the community, Womazetta says, that her desire to help society’s most vulnerable, and often invisible, populations burns so bright.