Mountain State Times

The West Virginia Department of Human Services (DoHS) is taking steps to enhance family preservation and child welfare prevention. The department has introduced a new CarePortal pilot program and expanded its Family Support Centers (FSCs) across the state.

“These initiatives reflect our unwavering dedication to supporting families and preventing the need for foster care placements,” stated Cammie Chapman, DoHS Deputy Secretary of Children and Adult Services. “By connecting communities and empowering local support systems, we are reinforcing our commitment to keeping families together and promoting the well-being of children across West Virginia.”

CarePortal is designed as a tool to help prevent biological families from entering the child welfare system by addressing their essential needs. It connects families with local faith-based organizations through a secure platform. This allows Family Support Center staff, social workers, and other professionals to post urgent requests for material supports like furniture or clothing, which can be fulfilled by community volunteer groups. The initiative is being piloted in Preston and Monongalia counties in collaboration with Chestnut Mountain Village.

“CarePortal has the potential to transform the way we support families in crisis by creating a bridge between the community and those in need,” said Greg Clutter, Director of Foster Care Initiatives at Chestnut Mountain Village. “We believe that through this pilot program, we can demonstrate the power of community-based action in preventing family separation and ensuring children can remain safely with their parents.”

Additionally, DoHS’s Bureau for Family Assistance (BFA) has made strategic investments in FSCs. These centers provide vital support for any family member with children up to age 18 or pregnant families. Currently present in 57 centers across 54 counties in West Virginia, FSCs offer comprehensive primary prevention services.

“For the past 26 years, the Family Support Center model has been a key component of the social support system in Tucker County,” noted Sandra Mason, Tucker County Family Support Center Director. “The funding has allowed us to customize programming to best fit the needs of local families. As Chair of the West Virginia Family Support Center Association it’s exciting to see how other counties are expanding this important safety net."

FSCs use the Mobility Mentoring model, also employed by WV WORKS, which helps families set personal goals through motivational interviewing and practical support. The programs aim to build protective factors such as parental knowledge while providing concrete support during times of need.

For more information about these initiatives, visit dhhr.wv.gov/bfa/communityresources/Pages/Family-Support-Centers.aspx.