CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources has appointed its first ombudsman, who will be responsible for investigating cases involving foster children and parents.
Pamela Woodman-Kaehler previously served as a Child Protective Services worker in the agency’s Harrison County office, as well as an executive director for medical equipment and supply companies in three states.
Monday’s news comes as the Department of Health and Human Resources prepares for a lawsuit regarding the agency’s handling of children in foster care.
As a foster care parent, Woodman-Kaehler said knowing both sides of foster care will help her with her job.
“It really helps me have that perspective for many points on the circle, if you will,” she said. “I think it helps in objectivity. I think it helps that I’ve had that personal experience, and I will put every bit of that toward doing a good job in this role for the folks here in West Virginia.”
More than 6,800 children are currently in the system, with the number increasing because of the state’s drug crisis.
“It’s going to be a busy office, for sure,” Woodman-Kaehler said. “We will do our best to staff it accordingly so that people who interact with us will have timely service and feel well-attended to.”
The department is planning to hire additional staff, but interim Inspector General Jolynn Marra said the positions have not been finalized.
“In the meantime, what we plan on doing is having Ms. Kaehler establish policies and procedures so that when we are awarded those staff and we’re ready to recruit for them, we have policies and procedures in order so then we can hit the ground running,” she said.
The department also announced Monday it has retained Brown & Peisch LLC as legal counsel in a lawsuit regarding the foster care system; A Better Childhood, Disability Rights West Virginia and law firm Shaffer and Shaffer are suing the agency over allegations of moves outside of the state in addition to issues with institutionalization, available mental health services and overextended caseworkers.
The plaintiffs name multiple state officials, including Gov. Jim Justice and Bill Crouch, the department’s secretary.