West Virginia Governor Outlines Reforms for Foster Care System
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Governor Patrick Morrisey pledged on Wednesday to enhance transparency and policies within West Virginia’s troubled foster care system. This announcement follows insights gathered from eight statewide listening sessions, revealing significant community concerns about a "broken system" exacerbated by the opioid crisis, which has led to a staggering 6,000 children currently in foster care.
Morrisey, who took office in January after serving as attorney general, criticized the previous administration for lacking transparency, notably in its responses to Freedom of Information Act requests. He emphasized the importance of communication and reducing bureaucratic obstacles for Child Protective Services workers.
Key reforms include a mandate for greater disclosure of investigation results in severe child welfare cases and a monthly case review requirement for child welfare supervisors. Additionally, a new intake process will facilitate direct contact with involved parties, improving responsiveness. Morrisey highlighted improvements to the child welfare dashboard to ensure data accessibility.
The state’s history of poor child welfare practices, highlighted by tragic incidents like the 2023 death of a 14-year-old girl, underscores the urgency for these changes. Morrisey committed to accountability and transparency moving forward.
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