State Human Services Implements New Technology Systems

In 2017, West Virginia contracted with Optum to develop a system to help the agency efficiently manage programs like Medicaid, food assistance and its child welfare system.

The Department of Human Services (DoHS) announced the completed implementation of the West Virginia People’s Access to Help (WV PATH) system on Monday.

Secretary of the West Virginia Department of Human Services Cynthia Persily said in a press release the system will streamline internal processes and enhance the experience for every West Virginian who relies on their services.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families (ACF), West Virginia is currently the only state with an operational Comprehensive Child Welfare Information System (CCWIS).

In a “frequently asked questions” document, the ACF explained that switching from a Statewide Automated Child Welfare System to a CCWIS system will enable the agencies to share data between multiple systems instead of building one-size-fits-all applications. This flexibility will allow foster care agencies to tailor their information technology needs to align more closely to their unique program requirements.

The state transitioned its child welfare information system to WV PATH in January 2023. The public portal for WV PATH was launched in 2020 and can be accessed at www.wvpath.wv.gov.

Appalachia Health News is a project of West Virginia Public Broadcasting with support from Marshall Health.