CHARLESTON — The West Virginia Department of Human Services (DoHS) Bureau for Social Services (BSS) reported its lowest number of children in state custody in over seven years, coinciding with advancements in its Child Protective Services (CPS) and Youth Services (YS) workforce through the first half of 2024.
Governor Jim Justice highlighted the state’s commitment to reducing foster care numbers and strengthening the CPS workforce in a recent briefing.
As of June 30, 2024, 5,991 children are in state custody, with more than half placed in kinship care. This marks the first time since March 2017 that the number has fallen below 6,000. One year prior, on June 30, 2023, 6,286 children were in state custody, down from a peak of 7,433 in April 2020.
“These positive trends reflect our ongoing commitment to family-centered practices by improving outcomes for children,” Cynthia Persily, Secretary of the West Virginia Department of Human Services, said. “Through the efforts of our dedicated child welfare staff, who have been instrumental in placing more children in kinship care and reducing the overall number of children in state custody, we are moving closer to our goal of providing stable, supportive environments for all West Virginia children.”
Recent data shows that as of June 2024, out of 524 allocated CPS positions, 101 were vacant, resulting in a 19% vacancy rate. This is a significant improvement from a 31% vacancy rate in January 2023. Additionally, out of 126 allocated YS positions, 14 were vacant, resulting in an 11% vacancy rate. All CPS Worker positions are filled in 20 counties, and all YS Worker positions are filled in 45 counties.
“Our focused efforts to recruit and retain qualified staff are showing significant progress,” Jeff Pack, DoHS Bureau for Social Services Commissioner, said. “Reducing our vacancy rates means we can better serve the children and families of West Virginia and ensure they receive the protection and support they need.”
In 2024, BSS implemented a new classification and compensation system, building on 2023 hiring successes. This initiative added five new CPS positions in Berkeley and Jefferson counties and established a YS Worker Senior classification, creating a career ladder with five positions reallocated from YS Worker to YS Worker Senior.
DoHS’s BSS has bolstered its workforce to address increasing child welfare abuse and neglect referrals. In 2023, Centralized Intake for Abuse and Neglect received 39,100 intakes, with 24,085 accepted for referral. By June 30, 2024, Centralized Intake had received 20,179 intakes, with 12,363 accepted for referral.
For those interested in pursuing a career in child welfare to support West Virginia families, visit www.governmentjobs.com/careers/osawv.
