Mountain State Times

The West Virginia Department of Human Services (DoHS), Bureau for Social Services, has reported significant progress in child welfare throughout the past year. These developments underscore the department's commitment to improving the safety and well-being of children and families across the state.

“These achievements reflect this Department’s dedication to building a brighter future for West Virginia’s children and families,” stated Cynthia Persily, Ph.D., Secretary of the West Virginia Department of Human Services. She emphasized that through innovation and partnerships, they are positively impacting vulnerable residents' lives.

One notable achievement is the reduction in reliance on residential treatment for children in state custody. The percentage of children in such care decreased from 24% to 14%, with an overall reduction of 16%. Instead, there is a focus on family and community-based care options. This shift is supported by nearly tripled spending on community-based mental health services.

The department also addressed workforce challenges within Child Protective Services (CPS) and Youth Services (YS). Since early 2023, vacancy rates dropped from 31% to 11.7%, while turnover rates improved from 34.1% to 19.4%. The number of applicants for CPS positions increased significantly compared to last year.

Efforts have been made to expand mental health support through initiatives like the Assessment Pathway for Children’s Mental Health Services, which received nearly 2,000 referrals between January and June 2024. The number of children enrolled in Wraparound services grew to over 1,600.

West Virginia has excelled in placing children with kinship caregivers and achieving permanency for those in state custody over a year. Collaborations with organizations like Aetna Better Health have improved access to pediatric psychiatric care since February 2020.

Furthermore, Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) were established as part of efforts to provide comprehensive services statewide. These clinics offer screening, diagnosis, and risk assessment among other core services.

Early intervention remains a priority through programs like HealthCheck, ensuring wellness screenings for children entering state custody from January to June 2024.

Finally, initiatives such as the “West Virginia Needs You Now” foster care campaign aim at recruiting more foster homes statewide.

For further information about DoHS programs or career opportunities supporting West Virginia families visit their website at humanservices.wv.gov.