Mountain State Times

The West Virginia Department of Human Services (DoHS) is emphasizing the importance of available supports designed to improve family outcomes and reduce involvement with the child welfare system. The department's Bureau for Behavioral Health (BBH), Bureau for Family Assistance (BFA), and Bureau for Social Services (BSS) work together on various programs to prevent child welfare involvement, focusing on protecting families and children.

BBH offers Substance Use Disorder prevention grant funding to Prevent Child Abuse West Virginia, a state chapter of Prevent Child Abuse America. This organization collaborates with Darkness to Light, an expert in preventing child sexual abuse, and the West Virginia Foundation for Rape Information and Services (WVFRIS). WVFRIS includes 11 rape crisis centers across the state that work on intervention and prevention programs related to sexual violence, human trafficking, and stalking. Prevent Child Abuse West Virginia also promotes an evidence-based substance use prevention program called Second Step through the West Virginia Expanded School of Mental Health programs.

BFA plays a crucial role in addressing root causes of child maltreatment by supporting family stability and self-sufficiency. It operates major initiatives like Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and child care assistance to help low-income families meet their needs while reducing risks of neglect or abuse.

The Strengthening Families Protective Factors Framework is a key component used by Family Support Centers funded by BFA through TANF and Community Based Child Abuse Prevention programs. These centers aim to empower families with knowledge, resources, and support based on protective factors such as parental resilience, social connections, knowledge of child development, concrete support during crises, and children's social competence.

Both BFA and BSS are participating in a federal program designed to create innovative strategies that minimize family involvement with the child welfare system. The "Families Are Stronger Together: TANF & Child Welfare Partnering for Prevention Learning Community" project will provide DoHS with training opportunities aimed at integrating family support services into existing frameworks like CPS Differential Response.

DoHS has set several strategic goals under this project including expanding federally reimbursable prevention services through Family Support Centers and improving case coordination between family support services and CPS.

For those interested in career opportunities supporting West Virginia families, visit dhhr.wv.gov/Pages/Career-Opportunities.aspx.