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Advocates tell West Virginia committee staffing shortfalls and foster-rate stagnation hurt children; community-based care proposed
Summary
Providers and an attorney told the Judiciary Committee that staffing shortages, stagnant foster-care reimbursements and lost treatment beds are driving placements out of state and into hotels; witnesses proposed stabilizing rates and piloting community-based care with outcome-based contracts.
Providers and a former child-welfare practitioner told the West Virginia Senate Judiciary Committee that the child-welfare system’s capacity problems stem from low pay, insufficient staffing and the loss of residential treatment beds.
Mark Drennan of the National Youth Advocate Program said the state has "6,000 children in custody of the state of West Virginia," with hundreds placed out of state and some children sleeping in hotels when no bed is available. He called for stabilizing foster-care reimbursement rates, creating regional community-based-care partnerships paid on outcomes, and investing earlier to reduce entries into care.
"Rate relief is critical for recruiting and maintaining and supporting quality foster homes in West Virginia," Drennan said. He also urged automatic regular rate adjustments so the state does not wait seven to 10 years between increases.
David McMahon, a lawyer who previously represented parents in custody proceedings, told the committee the system lacks "boots on the ground." McMahon cited inspector-general findings that many required interviews and initial assessments were not completed on time and said the governor’s budget request did not include the additional front-line workers the department had sought.
Both witnesses described how workforce and funding shortfalls make prevention work and timely investigations difficult. "If the legislature doesn't this year provide more money for more workers...and you hear some child that dies or gets terribly abused between now and then, it's not that poor worker," McMahon said. "It's the governor and the legislature for not giving enough money to get enough workers."
Policy proposals discussed at the session include stabilizing foster-care rates, recruiting and supporting foster and kinship homes, expanding in-state treatment capacity, and piloting community-based regional partnerships with outcome metrics tied to contracts.
Committee chair Sen. Tom Willis said the panel will consider legislation this week that relates directly to these proposals, including community-based partnerships and "bring them home" funding intended to reduce out-of-state placements.
