Governor Morrisey Promises Transparency in West Virginia’s Child Welfare System
West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey has pledged to enhance transparency within the state’s child welfare system. Following extensive listening sessions and reviews of past child fatalities, Morrisey announced a new policy requiring the Department of Human Services (DoHS) to disclose essential information regarding abuse and neglect cases. Historically, the DoHS utilized a broad interpretation of state law to deny public information requests, citing confidentiality concerns.
Recent high-profile cases, such as two adoptive children found living in deplorable conditions and the tragic death of 14-year-old Kyneddi Miller, have underscored the urgent need for this change. In both instances, the DoHS provided scant information, limiting insight into whether Child Protective Services (CPS) had acted appropriately.
Child advocates are optimistic about the potential reforms, which aim to ensure that CPS can effectively protect at-risk children. Shiloh Woodard, director of the West Virginia Child Advocacy Network, expressed encouragement over Morrisey’s commitment, stating, “This is exactly the right move for the state.” As the governor addresses this challenging issue, many hope for lasting improvements in child safety and the operations of CPS.
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