DoHS Launches Statewide Child Welfare Listening Tour

The West Virginia Department of Human Services is holding a series of Child Welfare Community Listening Sessions across the state.

Through May 22, DoHS will hold a total of eight in-person listening sessions designed to gather what the department calls candid input from families, caregivers, providers, case workers, legal professionals and community members about the West Virginia child welfare system and how to strengthen it.

Secretary Alex Mayer said the department is committed to turning the listening sessions into action.

“We are asking West Virginians to help shape the future of our child welfare system,” Mayer said. “Whether you’ve lived through the system or work within it – your perspective matters.”

Each session will feature small group conversations designed to gather anonymous feedback that will form the basis of a statewide report and a roadmap for improvements. 

The schedule for sessions is: 

• May 12 – Hurricane | Valley Park Conference Center | 1 Valley Park Rd, Hurricane, WV 25526
• May 13 – Beckley | Beckley Armory | 200 Armory Dr, Beckley, WV 25801
• May 14 – Wheeling | Wheeling Armory | 25 Armory Dr, Wheeling, WV 26003
• May 15 – Parkersburg | Wood County Resiliency Center | 238 2nd St, Parkersburg, WV
• May 19 – Burlington | BUMFS Gymnasium | 120 Hope Ln, Burlington, WV 26710
• May 20 – Philippi | Battler’s Knob | 101 College Hill Rd, Philippi, WV 26416
• May 21 – Martinsburg | Martinsburg Armory | 731 Novak Drive Martinsburg, WV 25405
• May 22 – Morgantown | WVU County Extension Center | 270 Mylan Park Ln, Morgantown, WV 26501

The sessions will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. The sessions are free and open to the public. To register, visit https://forms.office.com/r/7xU0DWXaxa.