CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Department of Human Services has released a report relating to its statewide child welfare listening tour.
The tour, which was held in eight West Virginia communities in May, welcomed service workers, parents, guardians, and others on the front line of the system. DoHS officials like Secretary Alex Mayer listened to input and took questions regarding the issues and current state of the system.
The DoHS release outlined the main themes of the eight meetings.
- The need for consistency across counties and standardized practices statewide
- Improved communication and transparency with families and caregivers
- Expanded access to mental health and wraparound services
- Inclusion of foster, kinship, and biological parents in decision-making
- Support for the workforce through training, resources, and culture change
Mayer, in a statement, said the whole point of the listening tour was to make changes.
“Releasing this report is more than just documenting what we heard, it is a commitment to act. The voices of families, caregivers, and caseworkers will help shape policy and practice changes that move us toward a stronger, more supportive child welfare system,” Mayer said.
The release stated that the next steps for the department include a stakeholder advisory committee.