Jason McCleanning, 19, spent 6 years in Wisconsin’s Child welfare system.
Jason entered foster care at 12. He experienced 5 different placements. His last placement was a kinship placement, where he stayed until aging out of care at 18.
Jason is a member of the Regional Youth Advisory Council and a member of his state's Youth Advisory Council. He has testified before two separate legislative committees regarding the impact of A.B. 777, a bill that would provide in-state tuition remission for students from foster care. He is also involved with Fostering Success at UW-Stout, which is a program to support students from foster care on campus. He enjoys being a support to his peers in providing mentoring.
When Jason isn’t busy using his voice and experience to advocate for others, he enjoys listening to music and reading Manga.
Jason is a freshman attending the University of Wisconsin-Stout. Majoring in Special Education. Upon graduation, he plans to become a Special Education Teacher.
