Mountain State Times

The West Virginia Department of Human Services (DoHS), in collaboration with Aetna Better Health of West Virginia, Mission West Virginia, and ten foster care agencies, has launched a statewide campaign to recruit foster parents. This initiative aims to address the shortage of foster care placements across the state.

The campaign targets both single and married adults who have previously considered fostering but have not yet taken steps to qualify. Research shows that many individuals contemplate fostering for extended periods before taking action.

“This initiative aims to demystify the journey of becoming a foster family in West Virginia,” stated Cynthia Persily, Ph.D., Secretary of the West Virginia Department of Human Services. “By shedding light on the process, we empower families to better understand and navigate it. Expanding our state’s pool of available foster parents will positively impact the children in need of stable, secure homes, and in turn, impact the future of our entire state.”

Highlighting the urgent need for safe and secure placements for children in West Virginia, the campaign underscores the vital role that foster parents play within their communities and throughout the state. To encourage potential foster parents to take action, wefosterwv.org is promoted as a key resource offering guidance on qualification steps while addressing common misconceptions about fostering.

“‘If you’ve ever considered fostering, West Virginia needs you now.’ That’s the message we want to communicate to people,” said Rachel Kinder, Executive Director at Mission West Virginia. “We know people can be intimidated by the thought of fostering, frequently worrying that they don’t have enough resources or the right personality to open their home to a child or teen.”

Mission West Virginia serves as a hub for this campaign by supporting interested individuals and connecting them with recruitment databases from ten agencies involved.

“Increasing the number of foster parents is critical to strengthening communities and healthy futures for West Virginians,” expressed Kathy Szafran, Executive Director at Aetna Better Health of West Virginia. “That’s why we’re proud to be supporting this collective effort.”

This statewide recruitment drive is funded by Aetna Better Health of West Virginia. Their investment ensures that even less populated rural areas most in need will receive outreach efforts aimed at increasing foster care placements.

For those interested in career opportunities within DoHS's Bureau for Social Services (BSS), further information can be found at dhhr.wv.gov/Pages/Career-Opportunities---Social-Services-and-Health-Facilities.aspx.