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Childhood Won’t Wait for West Virginia Children
in Care
Hundreds of children are leaving West Virginia’s child welfare
system unprepared to become members of our workforce. Time won’t
stop this from happening as we debate how we implement known solutions
that will strengthen their success and the success of the West Virginia
economy. Bold action through executive, legislative and judicial
leadership is critical so that children can make the most of their
last opportunity to overcome challenges before entering adulthood.
Children
need to receive care close to their families and communities.
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Prevent
any child from being sent out-of-state for treatment
through public policy, executive and judicial leadership. |
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Develop
capacity and services to meet the needs of children
in care. |
Children need a coordinated, productive and accountable
effort to provide them with needed services.
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Organize
and staff independent local structures to conduct
MDTs. |
The rights of children, biological parents and foster
parents must be protected.
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Provide
for the dissemination of "rights" information
and include procedures for problem resolution. |
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Develop
a neutral entity with staff that will actively advocate
on behalf of children and families. |
Ensure that out-of-home providers caring for children
have the resources necessary to meet their needs.
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Implement
a rate setting methodology that is predictable and
reimburses actual costs. |
Help children early, by investing in prevention programs
that get proven results.
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Support
services such as family preservation, family support,
Truancy Diversion, respite, community-based teams,
intensive day treatment and in-home services. |
Define and implement measures so that West Virginia
children are never again "out of sight, out of mind."
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Establish
a regular system assessment that measures and reports
the progress of system reform to the West Virginia
Legislature. |
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