W.Va. foster care ombudsman says she’s aiming for clear results

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia’s new ombudsman for foster care told lawmakers she is on the job and aiming high.

“I really feel a call of duty for excellence in this role,” said Pamela Woodman-Kaehler, who is responsible for outreach to foster children and their families.

She addressed members of the Joint Health Committee, which includes members of the Senate and House of Delegates.

“If folks in your position have questions from your constituents, I would go the extra mile to find answers for you,” she told legislators.

Lawmakers established the position earlier this year during the regular legislative session. Woodman-Kaehler was officially named to the role last month.

West Virginia’s foster care system has grown to more than 6,800 children, a growing number that is largely a result of the state’s drug addiction crisis.

Woodman-Kaehler previously served as a Child Protective Services worker in the Harrison County office of the state Department of Health and Human Resources. She also has been an executive director for medical equipment and supply companies in three states.

She is also a foster parent.

Woodman-Kahler said she is in her third week on the new job. She has been developing goals.

She acknowledged to legislators that there are large numbers of callers to DHHR who feel frustrated with the system.

She described trying to find approaches to calls “that gets beyond the obvious.”

Her aim, she said, is to have clear achievements.

“I’m approaching this with the ends in mind,” she said.

The Joint Health Committee also heard from other representatives of DHHR who deal with West Virginia’s foster care system.

Melanie Clark, director of social services, for the state Bureau of Children and Families, described 1,675 adoptions through the West Virginia foster care system in 2019.

She said that has a good side and a sad side.

“We are proud of how many children are moving in permanently with a forever family,” she said. “That’s also 1,600 children who have been separated from a biological parent.”





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